| Heating and cooling a building is an important design | | | | reduced aiding in the cooling of the heat island. |
| consideration for any building. Construction of a LEED | | | | A truly green roof consists of dirt and grass. This is |
| Certified green building opens the doors to many | | | | an old form of roof building that uses the wisdom of |
| interesting and growing choices. In Louisville Kentucky | | | | ancient builders. Dirt roofs with grass offer several |
| in the NuLu district a building was built to meet the | | | | important features. The earthen foundation is cooling |
| Platinum standard for LEEDS certification. With | | | | and insulating, making it effective in both winter and |
| innovative designs and Louisville air conditioning | | | | summer. The grass on the roof offers a cooling |
| service available for seldom needed Louisville air | | | | surface as well. One of the other benefits is in the |
| conditioning repair, this building will be a model for | | | | water absorption of the roof. A common problem in |
| other green design buildings. A big component of | | | | cities is the vast water runoff that accompanies a |
| designing a green building and reducing the demand | | | | rain storm. Most surfaces drop the water immediately |
| for air conditioning is the design of the roof. Other | | | | into the storm system. A grass and dirt roof absorbs |
| elements include the construction design and materials | | | | the water letting it seep out over several days, and |
| used for the windows. Constructing a building to | | | | reducing the amount of run off as the grass holds |
| reduce its energy demand is a challenging and exciting | | | | the moisture. |
| project. Several strategies are employed in the | | | | There are many benefits to creating and installing a |
| design and construction phase. Some of the | | | | green roof. There are some reports that indicate a |
| strategies that went into the Green Building in the | | | | green roof can cut heating and cooling costs by as |
| NuLu district of Louisville are helpful touchstones in | | | | much as 20 to 30 percent in a one story building. It |
| understanding green design. | | | | can also increase the longevity of a roof by reducing |
| Cities tend to be heat islands, absorbing and emitting | | | | the impact of UV rays on membranes and increasing |
| heat that raises the temperature several degrees | | | | the waterproofing capabilities. Green roofs can also |
| higher then the surrounding rural areas. Finding ways | | | | act as a noise buffering system. Another obvious |
| to reduce the absorption and subsequent dispersion | | | | benefit is the conversion of carbon dioxide into |
| of heat energy is an essential component in designing | | | | oxygen by the plants on the roof. |
| a building that contributes to sustainable living. One of | | | | There are many reasons to consider a green roof |
| the simplest ways of reducing absorption is simply | | | | when renovating or designing a building. Some |
| painting the exposed parts of roofs a light color. | | | | considerations are the additional weight that the |
| Black tar roofs in Louisville can reach 170 degrees in | | | | earth may require. The weight should be estimated |
| the summer. By painting them a reflective color the | | | | with maximum water absorption considered. Beyond |
| temperature is reduced, the building requires less | | | | the contribution to a more sustainable way of |
| cooling and the local aggregate temperature is | | | | building, green roofs can be aesthetically pleasing. |