Green Roof Case Study

Aileen Winquist

Environmental Planner
Arlington County, Dept. of Environmental Services
Green Roof at
2100 Clarendon Blvd
• In 2003, as part of the County’s
lease renewal, negotiated with
the building owner to retrofit a
3,200 sq ft section of roof.
• Roof needed to be replaced.
• Received a grant from Virginia
Dept of Conservation and
Recreation (DCR).
• Grant covered $34,000 – about
half the cost of the roof.
Green Roof at
2100 Clarendon Blvd
• Worked with Building Owner,
Charles E. Smith, and Architect,
Page Southerland Page.
• Demonstration Project -
education and tours.
• Environmental benefits –
stormwater mitigation, building
insulation, urban heat island
mitigation, and aesthetic
improvement.
Green Roof at
2100 Clarendon Blvd
• Conducted structural
engineering analysis to make
sure building structure could
hold weight of saturated soil.
• The existing ballasted roof
(stone) was about the same
weight as the green roof.
• Planted with six types of sedum.
• Installed October 2003.
Insulation Layer

Reused
styrofoam
insulation
that was on
roof.
Water Barrier

Water Barrier
is most
important part
of the roof,
and is
installed the
same way as
for a standard
roof.
No Leaks!
 Waterproof Testing

After
waterproofing,
store 2 inches of
water on the
roof for 48 hours
to test barrier.
 Root Barrier

Root barrier is
thick plastic,
and prevents
roots from
penetrating
the waterproof
layer.
 Water Retention

Root barrier
sealing and
water retention
layer. Water
retention layer
stores water in
small “cups” for
use by plants
after rain event.
 Soil Placement
Install filter fabric
beneath soil, so not
to clog water
retention layer.
Specially
engineered, highly
inorganic soil (very
little humus) with
high water
absorption capacity.
Soil Layer
Spread soil
to consist
depth – 3
inches.
Wind barrier

Cover soil with

photo-
degradable
wind barrier to
prevent wind
erosion.
Planting the Roof
Plant through the
wind barrier with
sedums, low-
lying, hardy,
water-retaining
plants that thrive
in harsh
environments.
Select several
varieties based
on blooming,
color, etc.
Planting Complete
October 2003
One year after planting
September 2004
Green Roof
May 2005
Arlington County’s
Green Building Programs
Site Plan Projects must have:
• LEED accredited professional;
• LEED scorecard;
• LEED tracking;
• Construction waste
management;
• Energy Star appliances (for
multi-family projects).
Green Building Programs

• Commercial Incentive program

– density bonus.
• Green Home Choice program –
for residential projects. Twenty
projects currently underway or
completed.
• County projects – evaluate
feasibility of meeting Silver
LEED standard.
Langston Brown School and
Community Center – Opened 2003
Other projects with green roofs

• Walter Reed Community

Center (under construction);
• Fire Station #5;
• Palazzo Condominium
(NFWF grant).
Questions?

Aileen Winquist
703-228-3610
awinquist@arlingtonva.us

www.arlingtonva.us