EMU plants green roof on its new Science Complex

While still rare, green roofs are increasingly getting their day in the sun. Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has installed a rooftop garden on its new Science Complex, which is undergoing a renovation scheduled to be complete this fall. "As part of that process of getting LEED-certified, we looked at a number of different methods and one way to do it was to put a green roof on. Additionally, it was a good thing for a science complex, we thought, to have a living example of a new kind of environmentally friendly technology," says Steven Moore, EMU's energy and sustainability manager. The 3,000-square-foot garden has insulating capabilities and is expected to save EMU about $3,600 a year on energy costs. It has 16 plant species, many of which will be alive year-round, Moore says. The garden is visible from above the third floor on the building's west side. "We've gotten a lot of positive response and a lot of interest on the green roof, so it's been a really good thing to have on campus," he adds. The university is also applying for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification on its newly redone Pray-Harrold building. The building's south facade has a green wall, with vines growing from the second through fifth stories. Source:  Steven Moore, EMU's energy and sustainability manager Writer: Tanya Muzumdar