A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Raising the (Green) Roof in DC
DC is now second only to Chicago (where they pursued a very aggressive plan to make this happen) in the number of green roofs (though we aren't told how our square footage stacks up) sported by the city.
19 comments:
Anonymous
said...
does one need approval from the DC government to build a garden on the roof? i saw the 'do it yourself' pdf on the site mentioned, and it looks pretty easy.
The answer to that is yes. DC itself makes it nearly impossible to do a green roof on a residential structure. I've had several friends try and were told pretty emphatically that even the smallest structure they built, like a water storage drum or anything else, would require permits and height variances and historic approval and such.
So until DC actually makes it ok for residences, their blather about being 'green' is just that - blather.
I think DC has the regulations, in part, so that the roof doesn't green roof cave in on you. Think of the density of soil and water and multiply by the volume of 6-8 inches covering the entire surface of your roof. I don't think your roof would hold that up.
I've got no problem with safety regulations and construction inspections for roofs, including green roofs. What I think is ludicrous is the idea that you have to get special exception permits and historic approval to have a freaking four foot high rain barrel or small greenhouse on your roof.
Comparing DC to the mentally disabled does a disservice to the mentally disabled. The retarded guy at the Mcdonalds always says hello, offers to take my tray when I'm done, offers to hold the door open, etc. More than I can say for any DC Government employee I've been unfortunate enough to deal with. I'm look at you, Department of Motor Vehicles bursar.
So nice that there's all these restrictions when you're trying to improve your property, yet it takes decades to get an abandoned property condemned.
Speaking of green rooftops, I see that there is quite a bit of green going in on top of Senate Square. Does anyone know what the big steel boxes at the tops of the southern towers are going to be? I ride my bike past the site every day and my curiosity is piqued.
from the renderings it seems as if there is going to be a roof type thing connecting the two towers, so that it'll provide some shade for the folks by the rooftop pool.
they have some little trees strewn throughout the roof, because it's going to be a pretty active place with the pool and all. which is nice. i've lived in apartments w/rooftop pools and no greenery, and it's a pretty lame scene. this place seems like it's going to be really nice.
that senate square joint looks real nice. if i weren't so poor, i would love to live in one of those pads. once they get that safe direct walkway to union station via the air rights projects, living there will be a rich, car-less city dweller's dream.
My wife and I decided to install a green roof as part of our house renovation. Green roofs are pretty cool, but you can end up with a real roof mess if you embark on a green roof without consulting a green roof consultant (there's a great one right here on the Hill), a roofing contractor with green roof experience (there aren't many, and there aren't many willing to do it, either), and a structural engineer.
Because a green roof adds the weight of drainage mats, growing medium, plants and water retention loads, a structural engineer must review your roof to make sure it can handle the added loads (unless you want your roof to collapse). Almost every house on the Hill was built without a green roof in mind, and many don't even meet current construction code requirements, it's highly likely that, to install even an extensive green roof, a structural engineer will advise beefing up the roof structure. Plus, not all roof membranes are compatible or desirable to have under a green roof.
It's likely that a lot of work will go into a proper installation on a Capitol Hill row house, so chances are good that a green roof installation will ultimately require a permit. Fortunately, DCRA is trying to make the permit process as friendly as possible for homeowners by offering appointments at the Home Owners Center. It's possible to get through the permit process in as little as one or two scheduled visits.
I've been pleased to learn that there are at least a handful of residential green roofs scattered throughout Capitol Hill now, so the greening of the city is happening quietly but definitely.
Anonymous, contact me directly about the green roof consultant on the Hill. I'm in the phone book, but I wouldn't want to publicizing the consultant's contact info. without checking first.
To address the comments of a previous poster, DC is hardly stuck with "Barry era" construction codes. In fact, DC just revised its construction codes in 2003, which is the iteration just behind the most recent version of the IBC that DC relies on, which came out in 2006 with a supplement in 2007.
Also, my experience has been that structural engineers are very aware of and enthusiastic about green roofs, so, contrary to what a previous poster suggested, an engineer brings more to the table than just a stamp.
As for incentives, DC actually did give grants last year and, I believe, this year for green roofs on large commercial buildings. While that disappointed me in my search for financial backing to make the green roof happen, it makes sense: commercial buildings have a much larger surface area, so DC can cover the equivalent of 40 residential units with one incentive to one commercial building, which is just an efficient way of getting green roofs out there. Plus, commercial property owners often need that kind incentive to do a good thing. The rest of us, with or without incentives from DC, know that having a green roof comes with its own rewards.
We are installing a green roof in Columbia Heights, and used an engineer for the weight issues and green roof consultant for the rest. However, if going through the Homeowners Center to permit, just get your access way permitted (ie bulkhead with stairs and door to your roof) as if you are doing a roof deck. If you metion that you are doing a "green roof" the permitting folks have no idea what you are talking about, and will put a halt on things. No special permiting is needed to install the dirt, plants, etc., so just permit as if you are putting in a deck as the same issues re height restrictions, etc. apply whether roof deck or green roof.
19 comments:
does one need approval from the DC government to build a garden on the roof? i saw the 'do it yourself' pdf on the site mentioned, and it looks pretty easy.
The answer to that is yes. DC itself makes it nearly impossible to do a green roof on a residential structure. I've had several friends try and were told pretty emphatically that even the smallest structure they built, like a water storage drum or anything else, would require permits and height variances and historic approval and such.
So until DC actually makes it ok for residences, their blather about being 'green' is just that - blather.
dc's retarded
that's not very nice.
I'm so in love with the fact that DC is becoming more green. So far Arlington's winning, but we can step it up.
Hey, Also could you add my new site to your list of DC Neighborhood Blogs? Thanks!!
anacostianow.blogspot.com
poo-poo,
I think DC has the regulations, in part, so that the roof doesn't green roof cave in on you. Think of the density of soil and water and multiply by the volume of 6-8 inches covering the entire surface of your roof. I don't think your roof would hold that up.
I've got no problem with safety regulations and construction inspections for roofs, including green roofs. What I think is ludicrous is the idea that you have to get special exception permits and historic approval to have a freaking four foot high rain barrel or small greenhouse on your roof.
Comparing DC to the mentally disabled does a disservice to the mentally disabled. The retarded guy at the Mcdonalds always says hello, offers to take my tray when I'm done, offers to hold the door open, etc. More than I can say for any DC Government employee I've been unfortunate enough to deal with. I'm look at you, Department of Motor Vehicles bursar.
So nice that there's all these restrictions when you're trying to improve your property, yet it takes decades to get an abandoned property condemned.
touche, monkey erotica.
i rescind my comparison.
Speaking of green rooftops, I see that there is quite a bit of green going in on top of Senate Square. Does anyone know what the big steel boxes at the tops of the southern towers are going to be? I ride my bike past the site every day and my curiosity is piqued.
kenny g -
from the renderings it seems as if there is going to be a roof type thing connecting the two towers, so that it'll provide some shade for the folks by the rooftop pool.
they have some little trees strewn throughout the roof, because it's going to be a pretty active place with the pool and all. which is nice. i've lived in apartments w/rooftop pools and no greenery, and it's a pretty lame scene. this place seems like it's going to be really nice.
also, i hear it's over 75% sold already.
that senate square joint looks real nice. if i weren't so poor, i would love to live in one of those pads. once they get that safe direct walkway to union station via the air rights projects, living there will be a rich, car-less city dweller's dream.
An intensive roof requires lots of soil. An extensive one can get by on about 1-5 inches (so it is much lighter).
My wife and I decided to install a green roof as part of our house renovation. Green roofs are pretty cool, but you can end up with a real roof mess if you embark on a green roof without consulting a green roof consultant (there's a great one right here on the Hill), a roofing contractor with green roof experience (there aren't many, and there aren't many willing to do it, either), and a structural engineer.
Because a green roof adds the weight of drainage mats, growing medium, plants and water retention loads, a structural engineer must review your roof to make sure it can handle the added loads (unless you want your roof to collapse). Almost every house on the Hill was built without a green roof in mind, and many don't even meet current construction code requirements, it's highly likely that, to install even an extensive green roof, a structural engineer will advise beefing up the roof structure. Plus, not all roof membranes are compatible or desirable to have under a green roof.
It's likely that a lot of work will go into a proper installation on a Capitol Hill row house, so chances are good that a green roof installation will ultimately require a permit. Fortunately, DCRA is trying to make the permit process as friendly as possible for homeowners by offering appointments at the Home Owners Center. It's possible to get through the permit process in as little as one or two scheduled visits.
I've been pleased to learn that there are at least a handful of residential green roofs scattered throughout Capitol Hill now, so the greening of the city is happening quietly but definitely.
syria and lebanon have tons of 'green roofs'. the last time i was in beirut, a friend had a roof with a garden and a chicken coop.
it's not that difficult, if you make sure the infrastructure of the roof is solid.
i think DCRA just wants to watch out for the stupid folks that throw dirt on the roof and seeds on the dirt and call it a day.
and get some carbon credits for the effort. ;o)
dc is backwards. they assume that folks that want to go 'green' are stupid.
methinks it's the reverse. anyone that wants to go 'green' has done the research, and won't want to f*ck up their home.
why would i need approval to make a green roof from someone that doesn't even understand the concept of 'green'?
dc should spend some money overhauling the "barry era* regulations, and get with the program.
most folks are concerned about keeping their motgages current.
what about an incentive to "go green"? there are none.
it's up to people like inked, planting trees, enhancing tree boxes, etc. that do anything.
ugh.... point blank... maybe our commissioners can work for some kind of 'green clause'.
if i had an incentive, i would go for it.
but there ain't none.
so...
i have, and will have a flat roof with nothing to contribute.
let's get these folks that decided to run for office to do something.
it's fun to have a blog, but let's get stuff done.
i dig that u r a lawyer, but let's have some action......
a blog is a blog.
let's make yours an agent of change.
or not.
r u cool with just being an update?
just a thought..
Rich Luna,
Do you have the contact info for the person on the Hill? Thx!
Anonymous, contact me directly about the green roof consultant on the Hill. I'm in the phone book, but I wouldn't want to publicizing the consultant's contact info. without checking first.
To address the comments of a previous poster, DC is hardly stuck with "Barry era" construction codes. In fact, DC just revised its construction codes in 2003, which is the iteration just behind the most recent version of the IBC that DC relies on, which came out in 2006 with a supplement in 2007.
Also, my experience has been that structural engineers are very aware of and enthusiastic about green roofs, so, contrary to what a previous poster suggested, an engineer brings more to the table than just a stamp.
As for incentives, DC actually did give grants last year and, I believe, this year for green roofs on large commercial buildings. While that disappointed me in my search for financial backing to make the green roof happen, it makes sense: commercial buildings have a much larger surface area, so DC can cover the equivalent of 40 residential units with one incentive to one commercial building, which is just an efficient way of getting green roofs out there. Plus, commercial property owners often need that kind incentive to do a good thing. The rest of us, with or without incentives from DC, know that having a green roof comes with its own rewards.
Rich Luna, could you email me jcbogg03-gr@yahoo.com with that Green Roof consultant contact info?
We are installing a green roof in Columbia Heights, and used an engineer for the weight issues and green roof consultant for the rest. However, if going through the Homeowners Center to permit, just get your access way permitted (ie bulkhead with stairs and door to your roof) as if you are doing a roof deck. If you metion that you are doing a "green roof" the permitting folks have no idea what you are talking about, and will put a halt on things. No special permiting is needed to install the dirt, plants, etc., so just permit as if you are putting in a deck as the same issues re height restrictions, etc. apply whether roof deck or green roof.
Good Job! :)
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