Green Roofs: Ecological Design And Construction

asked by vicky123 on November 17, 2006 4:49 PM

Citywide networks of green roofs can result in cooler summer temperatures, reduced energy demand, controlled stormwater runoff, protected wildlife habitat, and an enhanced sense of urban well-being. Highlighting these benefits, Green Roofs informs and inspires communities, designers, building owners, and government and business leaders by showcasing the environmental and aesthetic potential of green roofs around the world.

"Imagine the effect of community kitchen gardens on the rooftops of New York City," writes visionary green architect William McDonough in his forward. "The gardens would make visible the vital connections between water, soil, food, and human culture, and create a network of living landscapes across the ancient archipelago that is New York City."

Hundreds of photographs, forty case studies of exemplary green roof projects - from Mexico City to Malmo, Sweden to Fukuoka, Japan to Dearborn, Michigan - provide inspiration and guidance for green roof development, as well as design details. The book includes seven essays on green roof development in Berlin, Tokyo, London, Portland, Chicago, Toronto, and New York City. Additional essays detail the technical requirements, architectural history, and design possibilities of vegetated rooftops.

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Reviews

GREEN ROOFS: ECOLOGICAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION advocates the construction of 'green roofs' which can reduce energy demand and protect wildlife, packing in a survey of buildings and communities already using such roofs to their advantage. Some forty case studies of these projects pair color photos of roofs around the world with discussions of sustainable development and project management: thus practical applications appear alongside environmental advocacy. Experts also discuss technical requirements and history, which will please working architects. An excellent survey of working green roofs and their appeal.

reviewed by stix on November 22, 2006 3:10 AM

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As a very vocal proponet of green or living roofs I love this book. I believe that Mr Collum, previous reviewer must have just looked at the pictures. Pages 9 through 23 tell very well why we should have green roofs. If you are already an advocate or a newbe to green roofs, this book is for you. There is not a lot of technical information here but it gives the bare bones. If everything you needed to know about green roofs was here you couldn't lift the book. This book is ment to inspire you to get behind green roofs and advocate them in your neighborhood.

reviewed by savvy on November 23, 2006 4:51 AM

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This book has lots of nice photographs. That is all. The technical section consists of two pages which state that a waterproof membrane is needed between the roof structure and the soil. There is no information of a technical nature in the book. I wonder why use up the earth's resources for no value. An absolute waste.

reviewed by nexus on November 27, 2006 12:19 AM

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A well researched book of worldwide, high profile green roof case studies, with contributions from many of the leading people in the field. It is nicely laid out with great pictures and text explanation of inspiring examples of green roofs. It shows just what can be done with roof space. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in this subject area.

reviewed by maxmill on November 28, 2006 3:48 AM

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add a new book!