Patapsco's LEED-Addition topped by UMBC's First Green Roof
UMBC takes on Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
UMBC Patapsco Hall Green Roof Research Platform
Green roofs are important elements of sustainable design since they help reduce storm water run off- one of the major problems facing the Chesapeake Bay, and our local streams and rivers. In addition to reducing the strain of developments and impervious surfaces on our watershed, the rooftop vegetation helps to insulate the building, reducing energy consumption. Plus, the benefits of increased vegetated surfaces always carry the extra bonus of improving air quality and capturing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
The LEED Certified Patapsco Residence Hall addition features an innovative green roof research platform as part of its focus on sustainable design and construction. Supporting ongoing research efforts by UMBC faculty and students, the project features a green roof and an identically-sized control area, each with dedicated drainage systems and rainwater quantity and quality measurement devices.
UMBC researchers use the data from the system to document annual stormwater retention by the green roof, monitoring runoff from the green and control portions of the roof and comparing them in terms of quantity and quality. This research provides green roof performance data that will be specifically relevant to the mid-Atlantic region and is expected to contribute substantially to our understanding of long-term green roof performance. Stormwater retention totals and storm hydrographs are displayed in real-time in the building lobby and the monitoring facility is available for educational tours for faculty and students.
Green roofs are important elements of sustainable design since they help reduce storm water run off- one of the major problems facing the Chesapeake Bay, and our local streams and rivers. In addition to reducing the strain of developments and impervious surfaces on our watershed, the rooftop vegetation helps to insulate the building, reducing energy consumption. Plus, the benefits of increased vegetated surfaces always carry the extra bonus of improving air quality and capturing the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
The LEED Certified Patapsco Residence Hall addition features an innovative green roof research platform as part of its focus on sustainable design and construction. Supporting ongoing research efforts by UMBC faculty and students, the project features a green roof and an identically-sized control area, each with dedicated drainage systems and rainwater quantity and quality measurement devices.
UMBC researchers use the data from the system to document annual stormwater retention by the green roof, monitoring runoff from the green and control portions of the roof and comparing them in terms of quantity and quality. This research provides green roof performance data that will be specifically relevant to the mid-Atlantic region and is expected to contribute substantially to our understanding of long-term green roof performance. Stormwater retention totals and storm hydrographs are displayed in real-time in the building lobby and the monitoring facility is available for educational tours for faculty and students.
Posted: January 14, 2013, 10:34 AM
