Center for Sustainable Landscapes

Project
Center for Sustainable Landscapes

Location
Pittsburgh, PA

Award Winner
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Project Team

Architect: The Design Alliance
Civil Engineering and Water Engineering: Civil & Environmental Consultants
Green Roof Construction: Burns and Scalo
Integrated Design Facilitation, Energy Modeling, Daylighting Analysis and Materials: 7group, LLC
MEP Engineering: CJL Engineering
Planting Plan, Planting, Maintenance: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Structural Engineering: Atlantic Engineering Services

“When guests explore the Center for Sustainable Landscapes green roof, it helps make clear this notion that we strive to demonstrate at Phipps — that humans are part of the natural world, not separate from it. They can experience first-hand that green buildings aren’t about being “less bad,” rather they are beautiful, engaging spaces that can enhance ecosystem services, which improves both human and environmental health and well-being.”

— Richard V. Piacentini, President and CEO, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Demonstrating Sustainability to Catalyze Real Change

Part of the Phipps Conservatory’s mission is to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research. In support of this mission, the objective was to help transform the way people relate the built and natural environments. The project was designed to be an education and demonstration site to explicate the efficacy of sustainability, and the beauty of living in harmony with the natural world. It is the first and only building project to meet five of the highest green certifications.

The project site is home to more than 100 species of native plants, including 50 on the green roof alone, creating habitat, enhancing biodiversity, and assisting in the stormwater management goals, reducing annualized runoff by 85%.

Community and project partners were welcomed early to the project to contribute energy, systems, computational fluid dynamics modeling, restoration ecology, green building, innovative technology, life cycle assessment and other consulting services. Partnerships were sought with the goal of pursuing environmental research, education and outreach through the involvement of scientists, research fellows and department members so that collaborative research opportunities could create a ”critical mass” and enhance the ability to obtain grants for research of greater scope and importance. Many organizations, associations, government officials, university faculty members and students were invited to participate in early charrettes while a select groups of interested stakeholders were further invited to continue through the design, construction and operational monitoring process as main project partners.

Judges praised this project for its high level of living systems integration for multiple benefits and commitment to engaging multiple stakeholders.

Bike Box Living Roof Lab

Project
Bike Box Living Roof Lab

Location
Cleveland, OH

Award Winner
Kent State University

Project Team

Communication Lead: Kent State Student Volunteer – Leno Esposito
Construction Lead: Kent State Student Volunteer – Josh Thomas
Design Lead: Kent State Student Volunteer – Neil Reindell
Drainage Membrane Supplier: The Garland Company
Planner: Land Studio
Project Manager: Kent State Student Volunteer – Clair Markwardt
Sponsor: Northeast Ohio Sewer District
Volunteer Lead: Kent State Student Volunteer –Megan Haftl

“The Bike Box Living Roof Lab reclaims a sliver of the concrete jungle for one of the best neighborhood bars in Cleveland while working hard to discover how living architecture can aid global conservation efforts.”

— Reid Coffman, Kent State University

The Little Green Roof That Could

The Bike Box Living Roof Lab reclaims a sliver of the concrete jungle for one of the best neighborhood bars in Cleveland while working hard to discover how living architecture can aid global conservation efforts.

Funded by the local sewer district to profile urban green infrastructure, the 149 sf green roof caps a shipping container transformed into a bike shelter for one of Cleveland’s most popular neighborhood corner bars. The Happy Dog is place of community sharing and learning, a tradition the green roof extends.

Situated in the public right-of-way along a new bike lane, the roof softens a very hard urban streetscape. Scruffy native prairie plants provide a resilient display throughout the year while signage tells the story of stormwater runoff to passersby.

The roof operates as a long-term research site for Kent State University, exploring the potential of green roofs to reintroduce endangered or threatened plants. The cultivation of these plants from non-threatened populations in neighboring ecoregions provides a method of sourcing uncommon plants and the success of these species indicates innovation for reintroduction practices in future living architecture collaborations. The roof is the subject of doctoral and master’s study, visited each year by hundreds of professionals and students, and has been a part of national education programs. This small roof has a big impact and is responsible for subsequent collaborative projects involving multiple stakeholders, funding, and market development.

Judges praised the project for its educational outcomes, and relatively large impact for a project of such a small scale.

McDonald’s Headquarters

Project
McDonald’s Headquarters

Location
Chicago, IL

Award Winner
Omni Ecosystems

Project Team

Architect: Gensler
Developer/Owner: Sterling Bay
General Contractor: McHugh
Green Roof and Wall Designer, Manufacturer, Installer, and Maintenance Provider: Omni Ecosystems
Labor Subcontractor: Bennett & Brosseau
Landscape Architect: Wolff/Confluence
Landscaping Support: Christy Webber
Plumbing Subcontractor: CW Burns

“The environmental performance at McDonald’s headquarters’ Omni Green Roof is superlative with outstanding stormwater management and vast biodiversity. It’s a testament to how green roofs make the world a better place.”

— Molly Meyer, Omni Ecosystems

Taking A Restaurant Titan Into It’s Next Sustainable Phase

Moving McDonald’s Corporate Headquarters from Oak Brook to downtown Chicago was a huge shift, with the aim of creating a more collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking environment to take the restaurant titan into its next phase. Sustainability was at the forefront of the project from the very start and remained the highest priority throughout, with the green roof central to the sustainability objectives.

The entire project team visited numerous green roofs to understand the differing systems and regularly consulted with the green roof team to dial in the project’s opportunities and goals. The team pushed the boundaries by increasing media depths and shifting compositions in order to maximize the stormwater management potential. In addition to the advanced green roofs on the upper floors of the building, there are additional green roofs and terraces on the 6th and 8th floors, a large lush interior living wall, and many interior plantings throughout the facility.

The project team selected native plantings and seed mixes to provide habitat and biodiversity attracting pollinators long thought to be missing from the region, and purify the air in the West Loop. They also engaged with a local farming company to harvest the production areas, which continue to provide food, flowers, and other products to staff and the community. This project is a living demonstration of the co-benefits that make green infrastructure truly game changing.

Judges praised this project for its robust design as well as its unique and comprehensive integrations.

Ohana Floor

Project
Ohana Floor

Location
San Francisco, CA

Award Winner
Habitat Horticulture

Project Team

Interior Architects: Mark Cavagnero Associates
Lighting Design: Auerbach Glasow
Living Wall Design, Installation Maintenance: Habitat Horticulture

A Planted Oasis Above San Francisco

At 1,070 feet, Salesforce Tower is the tallest building in San Francisco and perched at the top of the company’s global headquarters is the “Ohana Floor”, an open, flexible hospitality space with 360 degree views of the city.

Instead of dedicating this sought-after space for executive offices, Salesforce took a unique approach and designed the Ohana Floor for the company’s employees, customers, partners, and members of the community to enjoy. 

During the day, the floor is open for employees and their guests. Then on weeknights and weekends, it is available to nonprofits and foundations to host their own events at no cost. To date, events on the company’s Ohana Floors in San Francisco, New York, London, and Indianapolis have raised over $15M for charity.

With a focus on clear sightlines, open flow to allow access to the best sunlight and views, and inspiration from nature, 24 structural columns which surround the circular floor were transformed into colorful and vivid plantscapes.  Each column is 13 feet high which required approximately 25,000 plants to cover 3,500 square feet of cylindrical space.

128 plant species were selected to provide colors and textures that would result in a dynamic viewing experience around each of the columns.  No two columns are alike: with varying sun exposure, visitors experience changeable hues when observing them from different vantage points. The end result is a tranquil and verdant naturescape set against a sweeping city backdrop and views of the Bay and Pacific Ocean. 

Paying homage to the Hawaiian-inspired intention, 48 different varieties of orchids were sourced for rich and delightful pops of color. As a blended space for a wide range of usage, the columns are also a source of psychological and literal nourishment: edible herbs such as mint, basil, tarragon and dill were also included for potential use onsite.

Judges praised this project for aesthetics, thoughtful use of green wall technology, and broader community benefits.

District House

Project
District House

Location
Oak Park, IL

Award Winner
Omni Ecosystems

Project Team

Architect: Northworks
Developer: Ranquist Development Group
Developer: Campbell Coyle Real Estate
General Contractor: MC Construction
Green Roof Installer: Omni Ecosystems
Landscape Architect: Dickson Design Studio

“The financial data learned from the District House Omni Green Roof is pushing the industry forward. We now know in plain dollars and cents the specific value-add that the marketplace puts on a green roof. And it’s huge! Quality green roofs increase market value and property value. Period.”

— Molly Meyer, Omni Ecosystems

Making the Financial Case for Green Roofs

District House is a 28-unit luxury condo building located in downtown Oak Park, Illinois, that prioritizes modern, sustainable urban living. The project features several state-of-the-art and ecologically-minded amenities including five private green roof terraces for premium second-floor units.

Installed in 2018, this project includes an integration of native meadow on the upper roof and seeded lawn on the terraces. Overall, the average depth is 6” with a total area of 9,009 square feet. The lush lawn spaces perfectly complement District House's luxury interiors and provides accessible private green space for residents.

The green roof cools the surrounding area, providing a cooler upper rooftop experience for those enjoying the deck surrounded by a native meadow, and cooler terraces where lush private lawns surround condo terraces.

The rooftop features a native meadow mix, designed to create a life support system for a midwestern prairie rich in biodiversity. The green roof incorporates a variety of native plants that provide habitat for local pollinators. With a high level of plant variety and seed mixes designed for healthy ecological succession, the roof is primed to provide opportunities for pollination and food, nesting, nutrients and more for local fauna.

A brief case study was performed to compare sales of units with private green roofs which found that the green roof increased the sales price by an average of almost $70,000, despite the $20,000 cost.

Judges praised the project for its use of a self-regenerative nutritive media, and the illustration of the profitability of green infrastructure integrations.

Garden House

Project
Garden House

Location
Beverly Hills, CA

Award Winner
Seasons Landscaping

Project Team

Architect: MAD Architects
Architect: Gruen Architects
General Contractor: DHC Builders
Living Wall Designer & Builder: Seasons Landscaping

Biophilic Views From a Over Mile Away

The GardenHouse is the first completed project in the US by world-renowned architect Ma Yansong. This modern architectural masterpiece is located in Beverly Hills California within the city center. GardenHouse pays homage to the rich history of Beverly Hills and the iconic mansions of the past. The design of GardenHouse has taken much inspiration from these stately figures, peeking out from behind the manicured green hedges luxurious living. The modern interpretation are these clean line white houses atop floating green rolling hills, which is now the quilted mosaic of a vertical garden. This modern mixed use architectural building covered by the largest living wall in the United States at 6,700 square feet, with 28 species and over 40,000 plants.

The AquaFelt system is comprised of 2 layers of felt, which takes the place of soil over time. The plants roots grow throughout the entire expanse of the wall creating its own vertical ecosystem, which mimics cliffs in nature. This is a form of biophilia that is the key to success of this green wall system. The planted green façade consumes the entire length of the building, encasing windows, balconies and curving at the intersection of 2 major cross streets. The system is hydroponic and recirculates from a large holding tank at the bottom basement floor, pumping water up to the top of the wall and wicked down throughout the felt layers.

Judges praised the project for its scope, scale, and broader benefits to the community in which is was constructed.

Sandyland Cove

Project
Sandyland Cove

Location
Lake Toxaway, NC

Award Winner
Living Roofs Inc

Project Team

Architect: Platt Management Group
General Contractor: Platt Management Group
Green Roof Designer & Installer: Living Roofs Inc

“The project site rests on a mountain lake in western North Carolina, a region known for its biologically diverse habitats and species. The green roofs on the buildings integrate the structures into the landscape and are planted with species native to the region and support a wide variety of insects and birds. The plants are arranged in a way that mimics native plant communities with different layers and rooting characteristics.”

— Kate Ancaya, Landscape Architect

Fostering Resilient Communities At Any Scale

The design goals for this project were to integrate the buildings into the site and maximize the ecological impact of the green roofs. All of the roofs on the property include a green roof: the main house, guest house, and boathouse. While the main and guest houses each have roofs designed to sustain native plant communities. This was achieved through a rigorous design process that includes a combination of warm and cool-season grasses, perennials, and groundcovers. Aside from being a beautiful amenity, the roofs reduce stormwater, cool the structures, and provide important wildlife and pollinator value.

The green roofs are designed to optimize stormwater retention through the type and components of the green roof build-up, to the plant material, planting approach, and irrigation system. A highly diverse plant species mix was used and a dense planting approach to maximize evapotranspiration and reduce raindrop impact.

Habitat and biodiversity were primary goals for this project and the driving force behind the design, plant selection, planting design, and post-installation maintenance, combining plants with different growth characteristics and habits to maximize plant coverage, habitat, and food and nectar sources. Additionally, the diverse plant palette with large-leafed herbaceous plants also helps to capture particulates in the air.

The green roofs were designed to demonstrate how a natural plant community that supports a diverse range of pollinators can be a beautiful visual amenity.

Judges praised the project for comprehensive utilization of available space for green roofing, and the extensive and thoughtful use of native plantings.