Vegetated roof

Vegetated roofs are layers of engineered soil and vegetation on a flat or gently sloping roof. The design of a green roof depends on the structure, desired function and other LID treatments to manage stormwater. Some roof designs aim for a low-growing, sedum-dominant system that captures and filters stormwater. Other designs integrate user areas for greater diversity of plants, including trees for shading and climbing vines to intercept rain. These systems need to be coordinated among the architect, engineer and landscape architect.

FEATURED SITE - New Seasons Market

2100 SE 164 Ave., Vancouver

The store was built in 2011.

Vegetated roof – About 1,150 square feet of the entryway roof includes a planted landscape that incorporates artwork. The art is recycled silverware in the shape of fish swimming upstream to the roof downspout.

Rain gardens – The three-acre parking lot drains to four rain gardens covering approximately 6,000 square feet. The gardens contain native plants suitable to water inundation. Curb cuts allow water to drain into the gardens at various intervals and it then drains to a small pond with an overflow inlet. The planters include pedestrian access for ease of movement.