Penn State Green Roofs Center

The roof is a sedum meadow roof.

Penn state green roofs center.

Lengthening roof membrane life. Faculty and students working on green roofs at penn state make use of many facilities on and off campus. Course eco roof and green technologies horticulture hort 497b was the first green roof technologies class in the nation created at penn state in 2005 and is taught every spring semester with students from many disciplines participating. Green roofs are increasing in popularity in the us because of the benefits they provide over traditional roofs such as reducing stormwater runoff and improving runoff quality.

The green roof was installed and planted by scott s landscaping. The greenroof plants were planted in september 2001 but the penn state green roof research center was finalized in the summer of 2002 and now offers graduate and undergraduate students many learning opportunities. For project information contact dr. The green roof covers the 4th and 5th floor roofs.

Green roofs are very effective stormwater bmps. The hub s green roof a gift from the class of 2014 and constructed as part of the hub robeson center addition and renovation project the hub green roof opened in summer 2016 as a space for penn staters to relax and enjoy nature from the center of campus. Green roofs on campus. Their major drawback is the initial cost.

Center for green roof research the center the only location in north america with small test green roofs on replicated buildings characterizes and quantifies the performance of green roofs and promotes their discoveries through education and outreach. Penn state is committed to developing and sustaining a green campus. 814 863 2190 or email protected visit the penn state center for green roof research website. Penn state faculty and students are actively researching multiple components of green roof performance including storm water quantity and quality management energy balance plant selection plant performance plant installation techniques media components roof system components and managements and materials testing.

It is not accessible to the public but can be viewed from the upper deck of the eisenhower parking garage. The horticulture greenhouses include facilities for plant growth and a weighing lysimeter system that allows precise measurements of water loss from green roof media and plants. A typical extensive green roof of 3 5 inches depth will reduce the volume of runoff by about 55 in central pennsylvania and attenuate the peak runoff rates to the level of the pre development land use. The student health center is a new building finished in 2008.

Reducing air conditioning costs. In such all new buildings will utilize green technologies and many will have green roofs. The office of the physical plant has been proactive in applying our research and promoting green roof technologies as one solution to storm water management issues on our campus.