Up on the Green Roof

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

From urban heat island reduction to improved air quality and storm water management, the benefits of having a green roof are plentiful. Want to see one for yourself? Tours are available at most of the places listed here.

APA
APA

American Psychological Association

A re-roofing at the American Psychological Association incorporated a green roof and a meditation labyrinth with access for tenants, guests, and the public. Approximately 45,000 gallons of water will be retained on this roof during a typical year of average rainfalls. Public tours may be arranged by contacting Nancy Kiefer at nkiefer@wri.org.

ASLA green roof
ASLA green roof

American Society of Landscape Architects

The green roof at ASLA includes two elevated “waves” formed from rigid insulation and covered with a green roof system. The waves create an attractive foliage-enclosed space and block the view of the rooftop HVAC systems. One of the waves is planted primarily with sedums; the other is planted with drought-resistant perennials and grasses as well as sedums. For an appointment to tour the roof, contact Keith Swann, kswann@asla.org.

Eventide Restaurant Terrace, Arlington
Eventide Restaurant Terrace, Arlington

Eventide Restaurant

This popular Arlington restaurant’s 2,800 square foot roof deck and terrace, designed by Capitol Greenroofs, features arborvitae and perennials/herbs that are used for cooking at the restaurant; concrete pavers for protection and drainage; and a 70-gallon planter that holds an evergreen tree.

Sidwell Friends School
Sidwell Friends School

Sidwell Friends School

The platinum LEED certified Sidwell Friends School is home to one of the area’s best-known green roofs. The 7,000 square foot space, completed in 2006, has vegetation that holds and filters rainwater and gutters and downspouts that direct rainwater to a biology pond that supports native habitat. Herbs grown on the roof by students are used in the school’s cafeteria.

1425 K Street NW
1425 K Street NW

1425 K Street NW

This was the first residential retrofit in Washington DC installed by DC Greenworks in 2004. This 3,500 square-foot demonstration project is D.C.’s first high elevation greenroof in a high-density commercial zone. For bimonthly tours, call 202.833.4010 or contact sara@dcgreenworks.org.

Residential green roofs are also sprouting up across the city including on Swann Street, Church Street, U Street, Seaton Place, Park Place, and more. Get a birdseye view here.

8 Green Ideas for Enjoying the Last Days of Summer

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

Make the most of summer before Old Man Winter comes a knockin’. Here’s how:

  1. Pack a picnic with organic goodies from newly opened Sub-urban Trading Co., in Kensington, MD or stock up at one of the many farmer’s markets in the area.
  2. Fire up the grill one last time with free-range chicken and home-made sausages from Let’s Meat on the Avenue in Del Ray.
  3. Stroll through Rock Creek Park or the National Arboretum.
  4. Take a free walking tour, see the sites by bike, or even hop on a Segway.
  5. Check out a green roof.
  6. Build one of your own.
  7. Pick your own fruit at a nearby orchard.
  8. Get an au natural faux tan (well, you can do this anytime, but it’s great for Labor-day getaways)

Now, pile on the SPF and get out there while the going’s good.

If You Build It Green….

Posted on by Sacha Cohen

This is an article I wrote for The Washington Post back in August 2006 that looks at public green buildings around the area. The good news is that many more have been built in just the year since I wrote the article including the Sidwell Friends middle school, which was completed in September 2006. Know more? Email me at sachacohen [at] comcast dot net.