Asheville tries to hire an architect who’ll do a green roof for its new civic center; can’t find a taker. Any green-roof experts willing to contact Asheville? Here’s the Citizen-Times’ version.
The idea, of course, is that a roof with stuff growing on it is better insulated and helps save energy costs for the building in the long run, as well as absorbing stormwater (i.e. fewer taxpayer dollars going to storm drain projects) and keeping down the urban heat island effect. Which means lower A/C needs for everyone.
Some of my architect sources tell me green roofs still have some kinks to be worked out. Like trying to keep birds’ nests from being sucked into air ducts. Or, finding plants that will grow in the hot (HOT!) and occasionally very dry environment. A planted roof I visited in Providence, R.I. — you know, New England where it isn’t all that hot — was planted in desert cacti and other dry-heat loving plants. My suggestion? Bermuda grass or crabgrass. Or both. Heat and drought just encourage them.