The Green Roof Initiative at

Hawken School : An Overview

Benefit to Hawken Community and
Surrounding Area
A green roof can expand classroom education
opportunities
• Biology, Chemistry, and field ecology classes might
measure the effects of plant species in controlling water
runoff, filtration of toxins, and heat absorption.
• Broaden students’ awareness and involvement in global
issues, including climate change and water quality
• Reconnect students to nature by:
– Providing new opportunities for school involvement combined
with community service through rooftop gardening
– Utilizing Hawken’s campus to create outdoor classrooms
 Accomplishments of
Establishing a Green Roof:

• Set a new standard for environmental excellence

in the community
• Meet Future Environmental Standards for
Building Structures
• Protect our local watershed
• Expose Students to Grant Writing and Research
Opportunities
 What is a Green Roof?
“
In the simplest terms, a green roof is plants
on top of a roof” according to Chicago’s
Department of Environment.

In advocating green roofs, Chicago’s government notes “Canada and the

United States are at least ten years behind Europe in investing in green
roof infrastructure”
 Why At Hawken?

• Encourage student interaction with their

environment and diminish nature-deficit disorder
• Return building space back into green space
• Increase roof lifespan by 200-300%
• Offset Hawken’s negative environmental impact
(from diesel school buses, pollution caused by
heating and electricity production, wastewater
run-off, etc.) by absorbing carbon dioxide and
producing oxygen
• Hawken would be the first CCIS School to build
a green roof
 To Offset Hawken’s Negative Environmental
Impact, Green Roofs:

• Save energy by improving thermal insulation

– Example: Research completed on Geauga Park’s green roof shows that while a traditional roof fluctuated
75 degrees F, their green roof maintained temperatures within a 30 degree F range.

• Minimize the Urban Heat Island Effect: a phenomenon that occurs in urban or
building-intensive environments when significant levels of heat are absorbed and
radiated by roofs or blacktops. Temperatures near these buildings exceed
surrounding air temperature of the natural environment.
• Filtration of air and water pollution in addition to the reduction of smog and air particulates (:1 sq.
meter can remove 0.2kg of airborn particles from the air)
• A 50-90% increase in water retention. Hawken can prevent 300-720 gallons of water/1000sq.ft.
roof per inch rainwater from being discharged into local watersheds by the addition of a green
roof.
– Example: Research completed at Geauga Park’s green roof showed that while traditional
roofs retained minimal water runoff, their green roof retained over 65% of rain water, or 1428
gallons of water.

• Wildlife for local flora and fauna.

 Why LiveRoof?

•Modules come fully vegetated

•Plants (sedums) are drought- and cold

weather-resistant

•Reliability: module-structure is guaranteed for 20 years

•Easily removable if repairs are needed; installation can be done by Hawken students

•Low maintenance

•Locally established and grown in Sandusky, Ohio

Liveroof’s Green Roof 3 Designs:
•standard model - 4 inches
•“lite” model - 2 ½ inches
Based on modular system, 1ft by 2ft •“deep” model - 6 inches
Local Success Stories-Erin Huber
and LeeAnn Westfall at CSU
 Project Cost & Incentives
Ball-Park Project Cost, Side Wing of AC Lobby:
$81,970
Includes:
•Installation, start to finish
•Construction of a 400sq.ft. patio
•Construction of railing, 5’
•Installation of LiveRoof® modules
•Installation of vertical lift platform
•$28,780

Incentives:
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of green
roofs is the lack of federal and state funding.
However, federal funds may cover the costs of
What’s Been Done
….and What
at Hawken…
We Can Do.
• Changed to single- •Establish an annual
stream recycling energy audit run by
• Established Hawken students
Composting of
Kitchen and Cafeteria •Put solar panel on
food waste existing flat roofs
• Creation of
Earthweek •Develop Bioswales
– Includes recycling of to absorb
electronics
– Group activities/House stormwater runoff
Challenges around from parking lots
theme sustainability
 Bibliography

• http://www.ifenergy.com/50226711/the_history_of_green_roof_technology.php
• http://www.raingardens.org/Index.php
• http://www.glwi.uwm.edu/research/genomics/ecoli/greenroof/roofinstall.php#costs
• http://www.greenroofs.com/Greenroofs101/industry_support.htm#NorthAmericanGrants
• http://www.epa.gov/heatisland/
• http://www.earthday.net/backgroundpdf/Green%20Roofs%20Student%20background.pdf
• http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?
BV_SessionID=@@@@0203501452.1268013667@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadejkklkkmhcefecelldff
hdffm.0&contentOID=536912065&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=Dept&block
Name=Environment%2FGreen+Roof+%26+Cool+Roof+Grants+Programs
%2FContent&context=dept&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Environment&deptMainCategoryOI
D=-536887205
• http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?
BV_SessionID=@@@@0310152796.1268015835@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadejkmighdjcefecelldffh
dfhm.0&contentOID=536912453&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=Dept&block
Name=Environment%2FGreen+Roof+%26+CoChicago Green Roofs, A Guide for Building Green Roofs
in Chicagool+Roof+Grants+Programs
%2FI+Want+To&context=dept&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Environment&deptMainCategor
yOID=-536887205
http://www.gcbl.org/forum/where-can-i-get-a-green-roof
• ttp://www.bestplaces.net/city/Chesterland-Ohio.aspx#
 The Green Roof Initiative at
Hawken School : An Overview
• Say: Green roof technology is not only an investment in our buildings but a

long-term investment in the students at Hawken School. Rather than

diverging from Hawken’s founding principles, the green roof project

proposed aims to reinforce our school’s basic beliefs by committing to a

common goal: forward-focused education to prepare students for future

real world experiences. How does it prepare students? Mainly through two

ways: one, exposing students to real-world technology and two, giving

students the opportunity to interact with modern technology through class-

based and extra-curricular experiences. By these means, green roof

technology can provide students and faculty with lasting benefits.

 What is the benefit to Hawken?
• Green roof technology is not only an investment in our buildings but a long-term
investment in the students at Hawken School
• I am a strong supporter of the Readiness Initiative at Hawken, But one area that
Hawken has not yet prepared students is preparing them to be Environmental
Stewards and Aware of Global Environmental Issues
• One Benefit A Green Roof has is to Expand the Readiness Initiative in 3 ways:

1. A green roof project would aim to reinforce our school’s basic beliefs by committing to a
common goal: forward-focused education to prepare students for future real world
experiences.

2. By exposing students to real-world technology

3. And giving students the opportunity to interact with modern technology through class-
based and extra-curricular experiences.

By these means, green roof technology can provide students and faculty with lasting
benefits.
Benefit to Hawken Community and
Surrounding Area
A green roof can expand classroom education
opportunities
• Biology, chemistry and field ecology classes might
measure the effects of plant species in controlling water
runoff, filtration of toxins, and heat absorption.
• Broaden students’ awareness and involvement in global
issues, including climate change and water quality
• Reconnect students to nature by:
– Providing new opportunities for school involvement combined
with community service through rooftop gardening (modules can
be purchased without vegetation, allowing students to grow
edible crops. This means Hawken could become the first school
to grow food on the roof, allowing us to expand current programs
including the Hawken Circle W Garden and food donations).
– Utilizing Hawken’s campus to create outdoor classrooms
 Accomplishments of
Establishing a Green Roof:
• Set a new standard for environmental
excellence in the community (:We become
a positive leader for environmental change
in the greater community beyond Hawken)
• Meeting Future Environmental Standards
for Building Structures
• Protect our local watershed
• Expose Students to Grant Writing and
Research Opportunities
 What is a Green Roof?
“In the simplest terms, a green roof is plants on top of a
roof” according to Chicago’s Department of Environment.
We also know green roofs as living roofs.
Say: Despite the simplicity of this structure, Chicago also claims “Green roofs improve air
quality, conserve energy, reduce stormwater runoff and help reduce the
urban heat island effect. The garden's plants reflect heat, provide shade and
help cool the surrounding air through evapotranspiration, which occurs when
plants secrete or "transpire" water through pores in their leaves. The water
draws heat as it evaporates, cooling the air in the process. Plants also filter
the air, which improves air quality by using excess carbon dioxide to
produce oxygen.”

In advocating green roofs, Chicago’s government notes “Canada and the United States are at least
ten years behind Europe in investing in green roof infrastructure”
 Why At Hawken?
• Encourage student interaction with their
environment and diminish nature-deficit disorder
• Return building space back into green space
• Increase roof lifespan by 200-300%
• Offset Hawken’s negative environmental impact
(from diesel school buses, pollution caused by
heating and electricity production, wastewater
run-off, etc.) by absorbing carbon dioxide and
producing oxygen
• Hawken would be the first CCIS School to build
a green roof
 To Offset Hawken’s Negative Environmental
Impact, Green Roofs:

• Save energy by improving thermal insulation

– Example: Research completed on Geauga Park’s green roof shows that while a traditional roof fluctuated
75 degrees F, their green roof maintained temperatures within a 30 degree F range.

• Minimize the Urban Heat Island Effect: a phenomenon that occurs in urban or building-intensive
environments when significant levels of heat are absorbed and radiated by roofs or blacktops.
Temperatures near these buildings exceed surrounding air temperature of the natural
environment.
• Filtration of air and water pollution in addition to the reduction of smog and air particulates (:1 sq.
meter can remove 0.2kg of airborn particles from the air)
• A 50-90% increase in water retention. Hawken can save 300-720 gallons of water/1000sq.ft. roof
per inch rainwater from reaching wastewater treatment facilities by the addition of a green roof.
– Example: Research completed at Geauga Park’s green roof showed that while traditional roofs retained
minimal water runoff, their green roof retained over 65% of rain water, or 1428 gallons of water.

• Wildlife for local flora and fauna.

• 200-300% increased roof lifespan
 Why LiveRoof?
•Modules come fully vegetated

•Plants (sedums)] are drought- and cold

weather-resistant

•Reliability: module-structure is guaranteed for 20 years

•Easily removable if repairs are needed; installation can be done by Hawken

students

•Low maintenance (: which includes weeding, and annual trimming)

•Locally established and grown in Sandusky, Ohio

About the Product
Description of their Design:
Liveroofs are constructed on a modular
system approximately 1ft by 2ft
3 designs we might consider; they differ
in soil depth. While the standard
model is 4 inches in soil height, the
“lite” model is 2 ½ inches and the
“deep” model is 6 inches deep.
Soil is specifically engineered for rooftop
conditions.
Irrigation is not necessary except in
cases of extreme heat; irrigation
systems specific to liveroof modules
can be bought with a liveroof system.
 I Invited Erin Huber to Hawken this Fall

Local Success Stories-Erin Huber

and LeeAnn Westfall at CSU
Project Cost Estimate & Incentives
Extensive v. Intensive Roofs

Ball-Park Project Cost, Side Wing of AC Lobby: $81,970

(But I am CONFIDENT we can lower this price
Includes:
•Installation, start to finish
•Construction of a 400sq.ft. patio Incentives:
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of
•Construction of railing, 5’ green roofs is the lack of federal and state
funding. However, under the EPA’s Clean
•Installation of LiveRoof® modules Water Act of Section 319, federal funds are
may cover the costs of Green Roofs:
•Installation of vertical lift platform
•$28,780
 Random Fact Reference Sheet:
• Sedum is the large stonecrop genus of the Crassulaceae, representing about 400
species of leaf succulents, found throughout the northern hemisphere, varying from
annual and creeping herbs to shrubs. The plants have water-storing leaves. The
flowers usually have five petals, seldom four or six. There are typically twice as many
stamens as petals.
• Well known European Sedums are Sedum acre, Sedum album, , Sedum reflexum
(also known as Sedum rupestre) and .
• Many sedums are cultivated as garden plants, due to their interesting and attractive
appearance and hardiness. The various species differ in their requirements; some are
cold-hardy but do not tolerate heat, some require heat but do not tolerate cold.
• Sedum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species
including Grey Chi. In particular, is the host plant of the endangered San Bruno elfin
butterfly of San Mateo County, California.
• Extensive green roofs: Plants such as sedums and prairie flowers are utilized
because they are low to the ground, will not be destroyed by nesting birds, require
less maintenance (requiring occasional weeding and watering) and can tolerate
almost any kind of weather conditions (E.g. wind and temperatures).
• Intensive green roofs: Allow for a greater variety of plants including hardy
perennials, native flowers (more expensive), shrubs, and even trees. These plants
require regular maintenance including watering and weeding.