Project
Room For A View
Location
Boulder, CO
Award Winner
Green Roofs of Colorado / K. Dakin Design
Project Team
Contractor/Installer: Green Roofs of Colorado
Landscape Architect: K. Dakin Design
“It just made sense, this green roof. The clients did not want to stare out their bedroom and bathroom windows onto a bare, roof membrane. Especially when they are nature lovers and avid gardeners: this green roof just made sense. To make their dreams come true, the clients collaborated closely with professional, green roof experts, Landscape Architect Karla Dakin and Green Roof Installer Andy Creath of Green Roofs of Colorado. The bio-diverse, selection of host species for the roof, gleaned from Dakin’s years of studying the flora in nearby foothills and prairies, was repeated on the ground landscape, integrating a top to bottom, holistic, design approach.”
The Green Roof That Just Made Sense
This green roof just made sense. The clients did not want to stare out their bedroom and bathroom windows onto a bare, roof membrane. Especially when they are nature lovers and avid gardeners. To make their dreams come true, the clients collaborated closely with local professional green roof experts to install a lush green roof atop their detached garage. As a residential project, the design process was a collaboration between the landscape architect, the clients and the green roof installer. The clients were very involved in the process, attending to every detail and selection.
The bio-diverse, selection of host species for the roof, gleaned from years of studying the flora in nearby foothills and prairies, was repeated on the ground landscape, integrating a top to bottom, holistic, design approach.
The green roof is primarily seen out the bedroom and bathroom windows of the residents. Throughout the seasons, this prairie landscape is the first and last view of the day. There is access to maintain and hang out in the green roof across a small roof straddling the detached garage and the home.
Native plants, host plants, and biodiversity were the conceptual drivers behind the landscape design of the yard, from the ground to the roof. The biodiversity of the plant list calls in as many birds, bees, butterflies, and insects as possible as well as referencing the native prairie plants of the Front Range of Colorado. Many of the same species like Agastache, Aster, and Echinacea are repeated on the ground level gardens. This green roof is completely organic and is maintained by the owner, an avid gardener. Deadheading flowers is kept to a minimum. Plants are allowed to repeat and spread across the green roof. Some plants, like cosmos have even made it up from the ground level gardens.
Judges appreciated this project’s look and approach, as well as engagement and investment of the client, and their commitment to sustainability.
