TBG is thrilled to announce that Green Communities Canada is providing us with grant funding to renovate the green roof, through the Living Cities Canada Fund.
All About the Green Roof
The green roof atop the Dembroski Centre for Horticulture is over 2,400 square feet. It acts as a shallow planter, with the soil and plant roots, absorbing rainwater and pollutants. It also helps with the control of storm water management by retaining rainwater on the roof, preventing the overload of storm sewers.
Green roofs act as insulators by reducing heat gain around the building by way of the “urban heat island effect”, a phenomenon that causes cities to have higher temperatures than surrounding areas due to a reduction in the natural cover of plant material. This means that less heat is reflected off paved or black roof surfaces, resulting in reduced heat gain in the building and consequently decreasing the load on the air the air conditioning system.
The slopped design affords a view of the roof from the second floor of the Moriyama Building, the West View Terrace, and even from Edwards Gardens.
The green roof at TBG is a green oasis that is pleasurable to look at, provides an opportunity to educate the public on this leading-edge green technology, and demonstrates our commitment to the environment and sustainable development.
Highlights
The initial design of the slanted roof in 2005 was created to form a uniform carpet of sedum. In 2024, it was reimagined to trial more native plants for the future of green roofs. The new plant palette is composed of native plants that will provide four seasons of interest, create habitat for native insects, and food for birds.
The green roof provides several environmental benefits, such as improved insulation for the building below, storm water management through plant absorption, and filtration of excess water and improved air quality as plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. Plants release water, which uses up heat energy as it evaporates, a process known as evapotranspiration. Green roofs have been shown to significantly reduce the temperature of the air around the building.
The plants are rooted in a growing medium (or soil-less mix) specifically formulated for extensive, non-irrigated and low-maintenance green roofs. Composed of recycled crushed brick, blonde peat, perlite, sand and compost, this material resists compaction, thereby providing secure plant anchorage and excellent water retention.
The flat portion of the roof has a variety of native plants and wildflowers, which are important nectar and pollen resources for the vast range of pollinating insects at TBG. An extension to the flat section of the green roof was added in 2006 through a grant from Wal-Mart and Evergreen.
Public Tours
To showcase our newly renovated green roof, we will be hosting two tours on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2. Follow our events page for updated details!
