Urban retrofit:
Yes; installed over portion of existing roof.
Cost:
$28,000 from challenge grant. This project received funding from the
Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program at the Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation, via grant agreement number
BAY-2004-21-SR. Additional partners include Davis Harris & Associates and
International Roofing.
Maintenance issues: Weeding and inspection
Access to site: Public (with appointment)
Address: 919 East Main Street, Richmond VA
23219
Contact info: Walter Swartley, Facilities
Manager, 804-782-5998
Details:
The 11,800 sf. green roof was installed at SunTrust Bank’s Mid-Atlantic
Headquarters in August of 2005 as Richmond’s first public and Virginia’s largest
green roof. The roofing consulting firm, DavisHarris & Associates, managed the
project and International Roofing was the contractor. The existing roof membrane
covered with river rock ballast was removed prior to the installation of the
green roof. A SiplastTM Green Roof system was installed containing waterproofing
and filter layers, soil media and plants. An engineered soil mix was used
containing 85 percent expanded shale and 15 percent compost. The SunTrust green
roof was planted with a mixture of seven varieties of succulent plants,
including sedums, that will mature into a quilt-like carpet, flowering at
different times and changing colors with the season (see photos below by
DavisHarris).
Cost:
Though initial upfront costs for green roof construction are
generally higher than typical roofs, these
are offset by the valuable economic benefits gained, including increased roof
longevity and building energy
efficiency. Green roof costs vary based on the building’s special requirements
and the chosen system and
design. The cost for a green roof in Virginia ranges between approximately
$15 - $30/ft2, as compared to
typical roof construction at $5-$15/ft2. The total cost of the SunTrust green
roof proved to be very
economical at a cost of $15.7/ft2. Similar green roofs could cost even less,
depending on the building
location and roof accessibility.
Verdana View of Green Roof location
(highlighted).
Other Green Roof Benefits:
In addition to stormwater management, the benefits
of green roofs are many:
• Increase in roof longevity – due to protection
from ultraviolet light, green roofs are
estimated to have longevity of 40 yrs,
compared to 7-13 years for a typical roof.
• Increase in building energy efficiency -
provides insulating properties, thereby
reducing heating and cooling costs.
• Quieter building from insulating, sound-absorbing
properties.
• Cool surrounding air by reducing urban heat
island effects
• Improve air quality – by reducing vertical air
movement, capturing and filtering airborne
pollutants, reducing smog.
• Increase habitat for birds and butterflies –
partially compensating for landscape lost to
building development.
Other Green Roofs within driving distance include:
•Richmond - International Roofing has a
“demonstration” roof showing the system that was
installed at SunTrust Bank. M-F, 7AM-5PM.
• Charlottesville - Albemarle County Office Building,
401 McIntire Road. Two systems installed total 8,748 ft2:
Green Grid® (896) and Envirotech® (7,852). Installed by Building Logics.
Contact: Sean Dougherty
434.296.5832 or
• Norfolk - Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company
Office
Atlantic Building, 120 Atlantic Street. 4,300 ft2
XeroFlor® system installed by Building Logics.
Contact: Dan Bauserman, 757.321.9600 or dbauserman@hewv.com
• Falls Church – Yorktown Square Condominiums
Bldg. # 2911
2909 Charing Cross Rd. 4,200 ft2 green
roof system installed by Building Logics.
• Arlington - Arlington County Government Center,
2100 Clarendon Boulevard. 3,285 ft2 Barrett Green
Roof Roofscapes system is viewable from the county’s
3rd floor conference room.
