Week #2 Progress Report 4/10/13

During week 2 the group changed our design plan.  We decided that a traditional green roof would be a more practical approach. Planting a green roof would allow for improved storm water management, collection of storm water, and would create a public space. We planned to use the roof of Hagerty Library as the hypothetical building sight for the green roof.  Hagerty Library offers a relatively large area with easy access from already existing staircases, in addition the green roof would serve as a focal point for the University in the center of campus.

Hagerty Library

We finalized some of our design ideas. It was decided that a system should be built to collect the excess storm-water, which will be used as grey water in the toilets of the Library.  The main goal of week 2 was to research green roof technologies and design ideas for our green roof.  We created a collaborative Google Document to share our individual research and give feedback to other group members. It was very helpful to give group members different roles or to put everyone "in charge" of a particular research topic. It facilitated work flow, but everyone was still able to contribute and learn about each topic.

We started with simple searches on Google and Youtube to gain familiarity with the topic of green roofs, and why they are built.

This video, from the Chicago Botanical Garden, made us consider the maintenance of our garden, and how much time and resources would have to be put into the garden. The Chicago gardens have lived through fairly harsh conditions with very little weeding or irrigation, but the video made us begin to think about the types of species that should be planted. Our garden wouldn't be too extensive, with a soil depth of possibly three or four inches, with mostly low growing sedum plants, grasses and some shrubs that are drought resistant and native to the Philadelphia area. Our group also had the idea to include students in the new green roof, not just by making it a public area, but by making garden maintenance a volunteering opportunity for Drexel's freshman students, who need to perform five hours of community service. This will help involve students in their school, and provide an opportunity to learn about green roofs and horticulture.

A variety of sedums appropriate for green roofs.