Penn State Green Roofs Center

Reducing air conditioning costs.

Penn state green roofs center.

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. 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 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. It is not accessible to the public but can be viewed from the upper deck of the eisenhower parking garage.

The green roof covers the 4th and 5th floor roofs. The green roof was installed and planted by scott s landscaping. 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 roof is a sedum meadow roof.

Green roof media testing penn state college of agricultural sciences. 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. Lengthening roof membrane life. 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.

In such all new buildings will utilize green technologies and many will have green roofs. On campus the root cellar has a 4 500 square feet roof that is used for monitoring runoff and evaluating green roof plants and the forest resources building has a 4 700 square feet demonstration and display roof. For project information contact dr. Their major drawback is the initial cost.

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. Green roofs are very effective stormwater bmps. 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. 814 863 2190 or email protected visit the penn state center for green roof research website.

The student health center is a new building finished in 2008. 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. And providing an aesthetically pleasing roof.