This green roof in central East Austin, designed by Stanley Architects and Artisans, covers a long rectangular studio space with a mixture of central Texas short and tall prairie grasses, wildflowers, and groundcovers. A 525 s.f. planted area with a 5” deep inorganic soil matrix, it is a non-proprietary extensive roof system on a shallow pitch with a long gutter that collects all runoff.
As a component of a local green infrastructure and a permaculture element of the property, the green roof stitches itself into the site landscape and hydrology. It is designed to be irrigated using redundant, non-municipal water supplies including rainwater and mechanical equipment condensate. The stormwater runoff loop is closed onsite with any non-collected overflow directed into swales and rain gardens integrated in the landscaping below. A photovoltaic panel array running the length of the roof on one long side provides integrated benefit: cooling ambient temperatures generated by adjacent plantings augment PV efficiency, while the panels increase surface area rainwater collection for irrigation.
The green roof is an integrated part of the studio architecture formally and functionally, and will contribute to anticipated LEED platinum certification, Austin Green Building Program 5-star rating, and Living Building registration. The roof has been observed as part of an independent project by UT students, profiled by local channel KVUE news, and stands as a case study for monitoring by Austin’s Watershed Protection Development Review Department, Austin Energy, and others. It was realized in early 2009 through the combined assistance of many parties.
Credit is acknowledged for consultation, components, and installation assistance to:
Brian Gardiner/Austech Roofing, Mark Simmons/Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, Casey Boyter Landscapes, Dennis Wilson/Firestone, Bill Lunsford/Colbond, AD Willis Roofing, George Altgelt/GeoGrowers, David Scott/Joss Growers, Daniel Baugh/Fluid Landscape and Irrigation, and the volunteer soil bucket brigade of Feb. 2009.
