As for the LEED elements of this proposal, I wonder why a green roof finish (grasses and such) wasn't considered for the office, and possibly the hotel as well.
Frequently Asked Questions about Green Roofs
Why a green roof?
There are generic private benefits for virtually all projects, benefits, specific to the design and type of green roof, and benefits/incentives related to public policy, which have proven to be critical to developing the market in Europe:
Please Note: while there are similarities among green roofs, each installation is unique. Hence, all technical performance details provided will vary by region, climate, building and green roof type and design. These figures are provided as generic examples only and should not be used for designing projects without expert advice and opinion.
The following benefits can be achieved with virtually all green roof infrastructure systems.
Economic Benefits - cost savings opportunities for the building owner include:
- Protection of roof membrane resulting in a longer material lifespan (it is estimated that green roofs will last up to twice as long as conventional roofs), resulting in decreased maintenance and savings in replacement costs;
- Savings on energy heating and cooling costs, depending on the size of the building, climate and type of green roof. Using a Micro Axess Simulation model, Environment Canada found that a typical one storey building with a grass roof and 10 cm (3.9 inches) of growing medium would result in a 25% reduction in summer cooling needs. Field experiments by Karen Liu in Ottawa Canada, found that a 6 inch extensive green roof reduced heat gains by 95% and heat losses by 26% compared to a reference roof.
- Soil, plants and the trapped layer of air can be used to insulate for sound. Sound waves that are produced by machinery, traffic or airplanes can be absorbed, reflected or deflected. The substrate tends to block lower sound frequencies and the plants block higher frequencies.
- A green roof with a 12 cm (4.7 inches) substrate layer can reduce sound by 40 decibels; a 20 cm (7.9 inches) substrate layer can reduce sound by 46-50 decibels.
The following benefits may be achieved, depending on the type and design of the green roof system (i.e., accessible/inaccessible, intensive/extensive, integrated with other building systems or not).
- Potential to reduce the size of HVAC equipment on new or retrofitted
buildings (capital and operational savings).
- Potential to reduce the amount of standard insulation used.
- Potential to incorporate cooling and/or water treatment functions.
- Potential for local, regional, and national market exposure, depending
on the uniqueness of the project.
- Potential to reduce or eliminate roof drains.
- Potential to meet regulatory requirements for stormwater management.
- Potential to reduce community resistance to new developments.
Amenity Space and Aesthetics
- Provision of amenity space for day care, meetings, and recreation;
- Aesthetic appeal, increasing the value of the property and the
marketability of the building as a whole, particularly for accessible green
roofs. For example, American and British studies show that "good tree
cover" adds between 6 to 15 per cent to the value of a home. Green
roofs offer the same visual and environmental benefits.
- Satisfying the aesthetic needs of people looking down upon the roof
from adjacent buildings.
- Potential to improve employee productivity.
The Fairmount Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver used to grow herbs, flowers, and vegetables on its accessible roof, saving its kitchen an estimated $30,000 a year in food costs.
The following benefits may be achieved, depending on the type of public policy support for green roof installations in your area.
- Potential for faster approval process for new projects, as is the case in Chicago
- Potential for reduced stormwater/wastewater charges from your municipality or utility.
- Potential to reduce the size of stormwater management ponds or cisterns, resulting in cost savings.
- Potential for grants related to energy efficiency and/or green roofs.
- Potential for density bonusing / larger floor area ratio.
- Potential to satisfy regulatory requirements for green roofs.
- Potential to score more than 7 credits under the US and Canadian Green Building Council LEED certification system.
- Potential for satisfying minimum parkland / green space set aside, requirements.
- Potential for greenhouse gas emissions trading credits, stemming from energy savings.
Please note: All technical details provided will vary by region, building type and materials used. These figures are provided as generic examples only and should not be used for projects without expert advice and opinion.
Economic - Improved Air Quality - Temperature Regulation - Water - Social - Preservation of Habitat & Biodiversity - Local Food Production
Public policies that support green roof installations will create jobs for the following:
- Suppliers and manufacturers of roofing membranes and root repellent layers;
- Suppliers and manufacturers of drainage layers, landscaping cloth, curbs, irrigation systems and other specialty products;
- Suppliers and manufacturers of substrate, light-weight soils and amendments;
- Garden nurseries specializing in plants specifically for green roofs;
- Design and engineering professionals;
- Contractors and landscapers; and,
- Companies supplying maintenance contracts.
Although no exact figures exist, it is estimated that the roofing industry in Germany employs approximately 12,000 people, and if all flat roofs were to be greened, this figure would increase to approximately 100, 000.
Community cost savings opportunities include:
- Cost savings from increased stormwater retention and decreased need to expand or rebuild related infrastructure.
- Decreased cost of meeting greenhouse gas reductions and adapting to climate change by reducing the "Urban Heat Island Effect" and the need for interior building insulation.
- Decreased need for health care services from reductions in ground level ozone resulting from a reduction in the urban heat island.
- Increased worker productivity and creativity.
- Decreased need for health care services and medication due to the benefits of passive experiences with nature and vegetation.
- Extending the lifespan of landfil sites by reducing re-roofing material waste.
- Opportunities to recycle aggregate and compost.
I suppose Lake Placid may have considered it, and ultimately decided it was too progressive(doubtful), or not feasible given current industry demand and costs.