The Ecoroof Matthew Mikulski Akash Patel Alan Tsai

Contents Introduction. –Objective. –Rationale. –Purpose. Prior studies. Materials and methods. Data analysis.

Project Objective Combination strategy. –Create “green roof” on top of BTHS. –“White roof” in other places. Extensive green roof. –3 inches of soil and less maintenance.

What Is It? Basically, grow grass on the roof. –Can be other plants as well. Paint the roof white in other places.

Why Green Roof? Grass will absorb incoming rays from the sun. –Less energy needed to cool the building. Provide a natural habitat for animals. –Promote biodiversity. Biotechnology. –Use living organisms. –Impact environment in a positive way.

Why Green Roof? (Cont.) Columbia University studies. –Surface temps in July ˚F higher on standard roofs. 14˚F cooler during the night. –Unnecessary heating and cooling. –Hydrology. Absorb 80% of rainfall. Versus 24% for standard roofs. –50% green roof in NYC would decrease avg. temp by 0.1˚F - 1.4˚F.

Why White Roof? Too expensive to plant grass everywhere on the roof. Paint serves to reflect sunlight. Increase albedo of the roof. –Reflective nature of the building.

Environmental Benefits Give a habitat to animals. Increased photosynthesis. Increase albedo. –Help combat global warming. Reduce storm water runoff. –Plants filter the rainwater.

Penn State Study Purpose –Air conditioning –Summertime electricity consumption –Costs to industrial, commercial, and residential users Conclusions

Surface Temperature

Materials White paint. Paintbrush/rollers. Sod/dirt. Grass seed. Shovels. Waterproof membrane. Root barrier (~$50). Drainage layer. Filter fabric. Drip irrigation.

Procedure - White Roof 1.Survey and clean roof. 2.Wash roof. 3.Apply primer/semi-gloss. 4.Paint roof white.

Procedure - Green Roof 1.Install waterproof membrane. 2.Add root barrier. 3.Add drainage layer. 4.Add filter fabric. 5.Add growing medium (soil). 6.Install drip irrigation. 7.Add plants.

Data Analysis Temperature changes over time. –Record roof surface temperature. –Record internal building temperature. Building energy consumption. –Observe any changes in electricity costs. T-tests comparing before and after.

Conclusion Past studies. Advantages. –Economic. –Aesthetic. –Environmental. Disadvantages. –Initial cost.

References Berghage, R. (2007). Center for green roof research. Retrieved from Penn State website: nditioning.html Rosenzweig, C. (n.d.). Green roofs in the New York metropolitan region. Retrieved from The Earth Institute at Columbia University website: cf_green_roofs.pdf Rowe, B., Andresen, J., Campa, R., Khire, M., Westphal, J., Wichman, I.,... Whittinghill, L. (n.d.). Green roof research program. Retrieved from Michigan State University website: Research%20at%20Michigan%20State%20University