Living Architecture

Steven W. Peck, GRP, Honorary ASLA, is the founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the North American green roof and wall industry association. Mr. Peck is also the Co-Founder of the World Green Infrastructure Network and publisher of The Living Architecture Monitor quarterly magazine. Since 1996, he has worked to advance the green roof and wall industry by facilitating research and demonstration projects, organizing conferences and workshops, building institutional capacity, lecturing, publishing, and advocating for supportive policies and standards at all levels of government.

1. Case Study Brief

   

   Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Patient Tower

   Park Ridge, Illinois

   “The patient tower expansion showcases sustainable landscapes that contribute to a healthy, safe, and healing environment in a healthcare setting. A series of gardens and healing rooms integrate sustainable stormwater features and native plants, while also providing both public and private spaces for respite. The response to the new healing gardens has been overwhelmingly positive – with increased calmness and reduced stress noted in a patient survey – serving as a great example of healing landscapes.”

2. Case Study Brief

   

   Underwood Family Sonoran Landscape Laboratory

   Tucson, Arizona

   “This demonstration landscape is fully integrated with the adjacent building, employing classic arid-region techniques like water harvesting and vegetation to reduce solar heat gain. It also functions as an entry plaza and gathering space, outdoor classroom, and outdoor laboratory for faculty and students.”

3. Case Study Brief

   

   Gary Comer Youth Center

   Chicago, Illinois

   “This intensive green roof is a working garden that produces over 1000 lbs of organic food annually and functions as an outdoor classroom. The design showcases how green roofs can be integrated with other sustainable systems like light wells and passive climate control.”

4. Case Study Brief

   

   Klyde Warren Park

   Dallas, Texas

   “Green roof systems can be used on a wide range of scales, from a residential roof to a multi-block, at-grade structure over parking or transportation infrastructure. This 5-acre green roof acts as a bridge, tunnel, and park all in one, transforming this part of Dallas.”

5. Fast Fact

   The combination of green roofs and green walls can lower ambient temperatures in typical "urban canyon"-like streets, achieving up to a 12.8˚C (23˚F) ambient temperature difference in an arid climate, and 8.4˚C (15...

   “This study illustrates how various forms of living architecture can be used together to increase impact.”

6. Fast Fact

   A green roof test plot at the University of Georgia retained 88% of precipitation for small storms (<1 inch), 48% for larger storms (>3 inches), and delayed the peak flow by an average of 18 minutes for 31 rain events between Nov 2003 and Nov 2004.

   “This is one of many test plots and actual green roof studies that show how green roofs can significantly reduce the volume of stormwater runoff and delay peak flows.”