Living Roofs

IN THE SPRING OF 2009, Toronto City Council passed a new bylaw mandating that all new buildings above a certain size have to have at least part of their roofs covered in vegetation. Here at Green Apple, we’re really excited about the idea of increasing the amount of earth in the city, from the top-down so to speak, and the incredible ecologic and economic benefits that will result. Of course, it’s equally advantageous to add living roofs to any pre-existing buildings… including your own! The law goes into effect in early 2010, and we have ramped up to meet that demand by adding living roofs to our repertoire.

Some of the incredible benefits of Living Roofs:

PROLONGS THE LIFE OF THE ROOF

ADDS INSULATION TO THE ROOF

REDUCES HEATING / AC COSTS

REDUCES NOISE POLLUTION

ADDS ANOTHER RECREATION AREA

GROWS MORE VEGETABLES

REDUCES STORMWATER BURDEN

REDUCES ATMOSPHERIC CARBON

PROVIDES HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE

WE’VE WRITTEN A TRILOGY of articles about green roofs to educate and inspire ourselves and others. To read about the political campaign to institute this policy in Toronto, check out Part I – The Glass Ceiling On Green Roofs; to learn how the late Austrian architect Freidensreich Hundertwasser transformed the lofty landscapes of European cities, check out Part II – Tree Tenancy & the Future of Roofs; and to see beautiful future visions of our own environment through the eyes of American architect Malcolm Wells, check out Part III – Recovering Civilization One Roof at a Time.

LIVING ROOFS FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Local Living Roofs | Photos by Green Apple Pie:

• New Green Roof at Toronto City Hall
• Here’s To You, Mrs. Robertson
• Steeple of Colour

ACROS Building, Fukuoka, Japan