“Inhabitat” Dayton
I’ve come across a great weblog called Inhabitat. In its own words it is “a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.” Being personally interested in green design for its aesthetic, environmental, and morally justifiable aspects, I have been delighted to check out the site often.
A post from August 1, 2006 addresses the CHICAGO GREEN ROOF PROGRAM:
CHICAGO GREEN ROOF PROGRAM
by Emily
The birthplace of the skyscraper has something new to be proud of: the green roof. Chicago is home to over 200 green roofs, covering 2.5 million square feet, more than any other U.S. city. They sit atop Mayor Daley’s City Hall, Target, the Apple store, and a McDonalds. But they’re not just for large institutions anymore. Thanks to the City of Chicago’s Green Roof Grant Program, they’re literally sprouting up everywhere.
Cool stuff if you’re interested in the future of cities and what interests creative young people…check it out!
Michael, great post! Combine the ideas of this cool website with GetUrban (http://www.geturban.com/flash.htm) and Complete the Streets (http://www.completestreets.org/) and imagine what we could do in Dayton! Could the Arcade become a “GetUrban Lifestyle Showroom” with rooftop gardens, beautifully appointed apartments and saavy businesses on the top floors with supporting shops, markets, and eateries in the rotunda and mall? It could also feature possibilities for alternative transportation options along with skywalks that link the necessary (for now) parking garages that surround the Arcade. Think of the possibilities!!
I am skeptical about green roofs, mainly because I wonder about recurring maintenance issues, and the technology doesn’t have a track record in the US yet, under our climate conditions. There is also the issue of loading on existing structural systems, if one is going to re-roof using a green roof.
Chicago will probably be the biggest test case of this technology.