You're Barking Up The Right Tree!

Hello friends, strangers, and/or any victims of finals. Do you own a dog? If you do, you may have a dog house too. Even if you don't have a dog, you'll like this:

Green roofs: helping make the world a better place for man & man's best friend. 

As you can see, this dog house has a green roof. This ingenious structure was designed and created by Alejandro Pijuan (company: JohnsonFain). The "LiveRoof" green roof modules were provided by FloraSourceLtd. 

One of the major advantages of implementing a green roof is that it regulates the temperature of the building, or in this case, dog house, below. Sparky will no longer suffer from heat exhaustion. Or, being that it is winter, he wont be so cold in his humble doggy abode. Aha, but wait, there's more...the green roof will also serve as a mini habitat for wildlife and can even be a mini garden for all the gardening-lovers out there. Mr. Alejandro Pijuan, we applaud you.

UCI x UCLA

Anteaters, I'm sure you are all familiar with the dining area called "BC Cavern" (across from the Science Library). Some people know it as "On The Green". Did you know there is accessible roof space on top of the building? 

My friend from UCLA informed me that his university implemented a green roof on one of their new dining spaces this year. Awesome news for the sustainable community. I went to go check it out today and let me tell you, the resemblance to the BC Cavern area is uncanny. Have a look:

Welcome to UCLA's Green Roof

UCI                          Table Area Below                   UCLA

 UCI                                                                      UCLA

Poor alignment but this is the space above BC Cavern that could potentially be made into a green roof 

 At UCLA, students eat their lunch and study on the green roof. 

The people in the building across the green roof have a great view!

Your thoughts? Do you think you'd hang out on top of BC Cavern if it had a cool green roof? Please send me your feedback via facebook or my email: youCgreen@gmail.com.

More updates to come this further on in the week :) For now, have a splendid rest of the weekend, everyone!

When will it be our turn?

Summer is coming to a scorching end and the new school year is just around the calendar corner. What does this mean? 

It means youCgreen has about 9 months to be completed. Nine months seems like a long time but I know the weeks will whiz by. My late roommate, Teresa, would always wish she could freeze time. Gosh, me too. 

I use chess as a metaphor to explain the project's progress to those who ask about it. I have the players ready and set in place, now it's just a matter of making the right moves...and then...check mate. I've discussed and collaborated with the right people, exchanged ideas, sent emails...so far, it's looking good. 

On a relevant side note, I came across an article about a recent ( and huge) green roof installation at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Photo provided by www.lhdesignbuild.com

Read about it HERE.  

When will it be our turn? I hope everyone's staying cool in this crazy heat. I bet you have your AC blasting! You know a green roof would significantly help those rising costs. Just sayin'.  

Our "Deer" Friends at Insadong

This past weekend some friends and I went to an area in Seoul called Insadong. It's a very tourist concentrated area many of the shops and vendors were selling similar items...Korea-related trinkets & souvenirs, popular foods & snacks, you know the deal. I still enjoyed the area though, especially because I found a whole row of green roofs :)

Always remember to look up

If you are familiar with Irvine, you'll know that the city is very...immaculate. Every public landscape is always perfectly trimmed and tidy, not a leaf out of place. I think because Insadong is a more free-spirited-art-inspired area, the unruly look of the green roof is welcomed and appreciated by the visitors and shop-owners alike. I'm not too sure how well a green roof like this would do at UC Irvine...or Irvine, in general. Hmm, of course, this is something important to keep in mind. Anywho, what they've done is really cool.

Our deer friends

Cute, huh? This kind of reminded me of the green roof at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California: 

A little more "Type A personality" green roof than the "Type B personailty" green roof in Insadong. Definitely no deer here. Still though, a green roof at a downtown shopping area.

What makes both of these green roofs awesome is that they are both easily visible to the public eye. It makes shoppers and visitors curious. 

"Hmm, what is that? Greenery on top of a building?" 

Which then leads to making shopping and visitors more AWARE. They should have signs  out on display explaining what the green roof is and what it does for the building!

How do you say green roof in Korean?

Ah, yes. Finally some lone-coffee-shop time to update. I’m currently situated at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea to explore, wander, and learn. I'm posting about my green roof discovery for the sake of youCgreen, so please, may I have your attention for just a few more minutes!

A couple weeks ago, I was looking out my friend's dorm window and I noticed a random patch of green. Hmm, how peculiar.

Do you see it?

Could it be? A green roof sighting in Korea? I was so excited when I saw this since I had already been planning to further my green roof research in Korea. I didn't expect to stumble upon my research so easily. I soon made my way to the ladder that would lead me to the green. 

It was a little silly of me to think I could climb up without being stopped by authority... Although I was prevented in my first and second attempt, I made it to the top on the third. Unfortunately, I couldn't investigate as much as I wanted since it was dark. I wasn't able to see how deep the soil was or what types of plants were used. However, I do know there is no irrigation system installed since it rains and snows here often. 

A bit dark, but here it is

Day-time bird's eye view

This green roof is planted over a laundry room. Smart planning since laundry rooms tend to get hot and stuffy so quickly. I have several weeks left here so I'm eager to further my research. Korea's already cooler than I thought. Hoorah for green roofs!

My second green roof sighting: 

In a more natural setting

Notice that this one blends in with its environment more inconspicuously. This happens over time when seeds from surrounding foliage blows onto the rooftop soil. From the withered look of the building's material, this guy's been around for quite a while. 

So, what does this mean? It means UC Irvine could be the second university that I've attended that uses green roofs.  

I have my hopes up high so you should too!

Green, green, green. I'm C-ing more green!

Greetings, earthlings. So far, summer's looking pretty pretty and pretty green. I just visited the green roof at Partner Engineering, an "environmental due diligence" company, in Torrance. 

They specialize in pollution testing, soil testing, and energy efficiency so having a green roof fits right into their agenda. A little background: they were originally located in El Segundo but needed a larger facility and thus, they began their search. When they found out that this building, in particular, was supposed to have a 3rd story they decided it was perfect for a green roof and so, perfect for them too. Apparently, the 3rd story construction was never completed but, this still meant that the building was structurally sound enough to support a lot of roof top weight. In 2011, they met their goal to create a livable, presentable space unique to the south bay area to demonstrate green technology. 

A cheery fellow named Michael promptly guided me to the green roof on this sunny afternoon. I was pleased with my experience since my visit to UCLA did not go accordingly.  The rooms on the second story adjacent to the green roof are walled with windows so employees get to enjoy the lovely view while working. 

Imagine if this was just a barren, empty roof top. Dreadful. Partner Engineering utilizes the green roof to its full environmental and aesthetic potential. Not only does it provide all the energy conservation aspects, but it also serves as an outdoor cafeteria, lounge, and space for company parties. How fun!

Outdoor furniture to complement the green roof amenity

I came across some faux critters while scoping out the landscape. Michael explained that they were one of the employees' children's toys from the last company gathering. 

I also came across some real critters...bees! Yes, a little more scary than rubber tarantulas. Don't worry though, none of the employees have been bothered or stung. This green roof creates a habitat for wildlife...yet another check off the list of green roof benefits. 

Where's Waldo? Look very, very closely 

The succulents are watered with a standard, timed sprinkler system. The architects diverted some of the pipes to meet the irrigation needs. 

Hello, sprinkler head

Sprinkler heads lined along the perimeter

This green roof doesn't need much watering since it's an extensive green roof. This means it is only 2.5 inches deep and requires very low maintenance. If you'd like to know more about this project email me at <<<youcgreen@gmail.com>>>

One last thing I wanted to mention..."solatubes". 

Sola-what??? Solatube!

This is my second favorite feature of the building after the green roof, of course. They're similar to sky lights, but the difference is they can bend and direct sunlight. Such a simple concept to control something so powerful. 

Solatube fixture to light a hallway

Here you can see what looks like several light bulbs...but actually, its the light at the end of the tunnel. Literally. 

Let there be light!

Here are a couple more solatube fixtures to light a room on the first floor. Zero electricity used and so much money saved. These are implemented throughout the building. 

So after this visit, I decided I need solatubes and a green roof in my future home. You should consider it too. I love the endless potential of green innovation! 

Thank you so very much, Michael, for the tour and thank you for reading my blog, whoever you are. I truly appreciate your support. That's all for now!

The Lost City of Atlantis...?

I wasn't going to post about my recent failed green roof adventure...but I decided I should because I want everyone to be part of this journey.

I'd been meaning to visit the green roof on the Public Affairs Building at UCLA for a few weeks and finally found time to do so. I was looking forward to seeing this beauty ever since I read about it online. My goal was to gather ideas regarding their irrigation and drainage system to apply to my youCgreen project. 

As I climbed the stairs to the PAB roof, I became more and more anxious...images of what it could possibly look like were racing through my mind. And then...BOOM. Disappointment. Or lack of boom, I should say.

You know what though, it's okay. I won't let this discourage me. There are so many other green roofs to research. Check out some listings HERE. I've already contacted some sites so hopefully I will see one in the coming week. 

UCLA, it's been real. Til next time! 

Yes, youCgreen is still in the works.

**Some updates**
I have yet hear back from the UCI Energy Manager. Patience is certainly a virtue. Also, because student elections are taking place right now, I believe the TGIF Sustainability Commissioner has been busy. I've been having a hard time getting in touch with him. 

Did anyone know that other UC systems have already implemented green roofs on their campus? Tom Hawkins of FloraSource, Ltd, recently informed me that UCSF, UCSD, UCLA, and possibly UC Berkeley already have forms of green roofs. Though this eliminates UCI of being the first UC campus with a green roof, I'm so glad these universities are using green roofs. It encourages me that the existence of a green roof at UCI is indeed possible. I am adamant on making it happen.

I want to see the green roofs at UCLA and UCSD...time for some adventures. More updates (with pictures) to come! Stay posted.

PS. Earth Day this Sunday.

Study Break!

Today I met with David Palmer, the manager of the Performing Arts Center at Soka University, for a tour of the university's new green roof. To begin, let me just tell you all how beautiful their campus is...it's beautiful! 

The fountain is divided into three separate sections in front of the Founder's Hall. Although the fountains are stunning, after taking my Water Resource Policy course this past quarter, I couldn't help but think about how much water was being wasted for just this aesthetic purpose. Soon I met with David to begin my tour, which, may I mention, was very thorough and more than I could have asked for. David was wonderful and kind, he added fun facts here and there to help me understand the full scope of the sustainable efforts on their campus. 

**NOTE: My thoughts of misusing the water for the fountains subsided when David explained to me that the fountains actually serve a dual purpose. The OC Fire Department requires to have water available for fire suppression purposes since the university is in the middle of a high fire risk zone. Instead of building an unappealing tank to contain the necessary water, the university created the 15 ft-deep fountains in the open space. If needed, a helicopter could fly down, pump their hoses, and extinguish any fires. Safety and architectural beauty all in one. Wow!

We continued the tour to the green roof on the Academic Building (the Performing Arts green roof is only accessible to campus facility). There I was, just a few steps away from seeing my first green roof... 

Entrance door to gain green roof access 

Left Side

Front View

Right View

The view was beautiful as it spanned over the seemingly endless hills and canyons. 

The sign indicates that you must be tied to the rail if you go past it

This green roof is sedum specific so requires very little maintenance and watering. Maintenance workers do come up once a month to take care of weeds and such for no extra cost.

Notice the snail-like critter

The sedum is wind resistant of up to 120 mph blowing winds and creates a habitat for wildlife. It is about 4 inches deep and is watered by a sprinkler system that uses the same reclaimed waste water used throughout the school. 

4-inch think plant sedum

There were three different ground compositions on this particular roof: black stones surrounding the drainage holes, the plant sedum, and the concrete walkways. 

The concrete was hottest surface and the sedum, the coolest. Relate it to the top of your car. When the top is hot to your touch, so is the inside of your car. So, a cool green roof helps keep the respective space below at lower temperatures. Green roof car tops, anyone?

The plant sedum is greener along the edges of the building because they get more shade and water from copper downspouts seen in the picture below. The downspouts channel rainwater from the roof above, which is not a green roof.

                                              

                                              

Many people questioned how architects and engineers planned on getting water for the irrigation system way up here. David explained that they actually implemented false downspouts on the side of this building (the one in the picture you see is a real downspout). Hidden within the false downspout is the irrigation pipe connected to a water source down below for the sprinkler system. Look closely and see the false pipes that line the outer right and left edges of the building. 

Next, we went into the Performing Arts Center and the Academic Building, both of which benefit from the green roofs. The HVAC (Cooling and Heating System) automatically regulates the temperature of the building with sensors that detect the heat surrounding the building. Since the green roof keeps the overall surrounding temperature of the building cooler, the system's motor does not need to start up or shut down as often to keep the temperature within the building in the specified range. You see, starting up the motor several times a day becomes more expensive than just letting it run. The electric cost is cut down dramatically it's more efficient, overall.

A very special thank you to David for his time and kindness. His tour was definitely the highlight of my finals week and he enlightened me with so much information that I plan on applying to youCgreen.

Green Alert

Soka University in Aliso Viejo: 

This is the new performing arts building at Soka University in Aliso Viejo (about 20 minutes away from Irvine, 15 minutes if you drive fast). Completed in 2011, the project was built with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards in mind so the green roof was already incorporated into the construction process. Like the green roof at Chapman University in Orange, this goes to show that green roofs are viable in our South County climate. 

Source: Soka University Website

Happy Tuesday

Good afternoon to all of you! Earlier this week, Nancy from FloraSource sent me this catalogue. It is very informative and answered many of my questions. Thank You, Nancy! 

My meeting with Dahnish, The Green Initiative Fund Sustainability Commissioner, got rescheduled for...just an hour ago actually. The meeting was brief but it definitely helped youCgreen take a step forward. 

Dahnish told me that the UCI staff (different from faculty) could help me with my project and that TGIF would be more than happy to fund it once everything is approved. Right now we're waiting on hearing back from a couple people he e-mailed, so we all just have to be patient...Dahnish explained to me that TGIF has funded many educational events in the past but would like to fund more infrastructure based projects like mine. If things go according to plan, UCI will be the first UC with a green roof!

Anyways, it's getting chilly and my fingers are getting too stiff to type, so I must scurry to class. Before I leave, here's my view from my bench in Aldrich Park. iCgreen! 

Baby Steps...

Some highlights from this past week:

- Made contact with FloraSource, Ltd. I told them about my project and they said they could help make it happen!

- So many supporters; includes professors, students, green roof advocates, and friends

- Scheduled to meet with The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) chairman on Thursday to discuss my project

Still don't know what a green roof is? Well, here's a more thorough explanation:

"Green roofs supplement traditional vegetation without disrupting urban infrastructure -- they take a neglected space and make it useful.

Green roofs last longer than conventional roofs, reduce energy costs with natural insulation, create peaceful retreats for people and animals, and absorb storm water, potentially lessening the need for complex and expensive drainage systems. On a wider scale, green roofs improve air quality and help reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect, a condition in which city and suburban developments absorb and trap heat. Anyone who has walked across a scalding parking lot on a hot, summer day has felt one effect of an Urban Heat Island.

The layers of a green roof must, like any roof, accommodate drainage and protect the building from the elements with a waterproof membrane. But they also must create a growing area and potentially provide support, irrigation and root protection barriers while staying as light as possible."

Would you like to read more?

Resource: What is a Green Roof  by Sarah Dowdey on HowStuffWorks.com 

Shrek says: "Green roofs have layers. Ogres have layers. Green roofs have layers. You get it? We both have layers. "

A semi-failed mini adventure:

Last week I wanted to see what the roof of the Social Ecology building looked like. I was very happy with what I came across! Here are some pictures of what different levels of the roof look like now. Although the roof looks like the perfect roof-candidate for the youCgreen project, I don't know if the building is structurally sound. 

 

First Level Rooftop

 

Another Section of the First Level Rooftop

 

           Second Level Rooftop

I walked up from one floor to the next thinking of the endless possibilities. So much potential space just waiting to Cgreen. Then I went further up the stairs and....dead end. 

I should have figured I wouldn't be allowed on the roof...but I mean, a girl can try...

Stay posted.

Green Roofs

Hello out there. My name is Connie, I'm a student at UC Irvine and green advocate, nice to cyber-meet you! 

Have you ever heard of a green roof? If not, I'll tell you a little bit about it. In a nutshell, a green roof is like having a low maintenance lawn on top of a building to provide benefits like stabilizing the building's internal temperature, creating a natural habitat for wildlife, and preventing storm water run off. Universities like UPenn and Chapman have projects like this on their campuses, which has made me wonder why we don't have something like this on UCI's campus...I believe it's doable. 

My project is called youCgreen and my goal is to create a green roof on one of the buildings at UCI, preferably the Social Ecology building by Middle Earth (one of the freshman dorming communities for those of you who don't go to the UCI). I want the green roof to be a rooftop study lounge kind of area for students to enjoy the great outdoors while reading and catching up on hw before class and just to hang out. Hopefully youCgreen will eventually expand out to other UC campuses to start green roofing too. youCgreen is still in the fetus stage, its existence was conceived just a few days ago. Follow my blog to keep track of its growth. I'll update it as much as I can.

I'm so excited about youCgreen and would appreciate your support. Spread the word! If you have any questions, ideas, or just want to chat, feel free to email me at youcgreen@gmail.com. Thank you!

More sites to learn about green roofs:

Chicago Gardens

Wise Words of Wikipedia on Green Roofs

LiveRoof