First Green Roof Comes to Merrimack Valley

Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. will host this region’s first green roof when their Addison Gallery of American Art expansion project is completed in 2009, according to a story in the Eagle Tribune.

Green roofs, which have become a mainstay in Europe, are a growing trend throughout North America. They have increased by 25 percent from 2005 to 2006 while intensive green roofs (those which include large plants) increased by 100 percent, according to statistics by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the North American green roof industry association.

Besides the obvious aesthetic benefits, green roofs provide better insulation than a traditional roof, reducing the costs of heating and cooling the building. Since plants absorb more water then roofing material does, this will create less runoff and potential for lake, ocean or river contamination. Additionally, less water will reduce the wear on city sewer systems potentially lower maintenance and expansion costs. Many other benefits are listed here.

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino created a demonstrative green roof atop a portion of City Hall in 2005. And, there are 23 green roofs built or under construction in Massachusetts, according to Green Roofs for Healthy Cities which has a searchable database of all such projects reported to the organization. The Massachusetts ones include prominent buildings such as the IKEA store in Stoughton and the Four Seasons Hotel and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Yawkey Building for Outpatient Care, both in Boston.

This is a tremendous opportunity for new construction and renovations in both urban and rural areas. Not only are there many environmental benefits, but a green roof would probably increase the value of the building and surrounding property, making it more attractive to tenants or homeowners. And, as the MGH roof demonstrates (see pictures here), they can provide spectacular sweeping views of a city skyline or a green oasis in the heart of a bustling metropolis.