Waco's first living roof
The 1,750-square-foot living roof is planted with varieties of sedum that require little water and maintenance. The design concept is Walk Along the River. The “river” plant is Sedum Reflexum Gray Creeper, and the “bank” is Sedum Sexangulare interspersed with Sedum Palmerii, Sedum Spectabile “Brilliant” and Sedum Kamschaticum. A design project by the Texas State Technical College Waco Landscape Design Technician Program in Waco identified the use of sedum varietals both for low maintenance and design purposes. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center also provided input.
The living roof reduces the urban heat island, absorbs air pollution, collects airborne pollutants and stores carbon. It also provides extra insluation that reduces the amount of heating and air conditioning needed inside the building. Rainwater that would otherwise run off the site irrigates the plants. Excess rainwater is retained in a cistern, and a solar-powered pump returns the water to the roof during dry periods. |