Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2011 - (Page 27)

SPECS CATEGORY: Intensive Institutional PROJECT: High Line, Manhattan, New York, 230,000square-foot green roof AWARD RECIPIENT: Image courtesy of Kelco Construction, Inc. Kelco Construction, Inc. (installer of green roof system, vegetation and irrigation) CLIENT: Friends of the High Line DESIGN TEAM: A NEW GREEN VEIN RUNNING THROUGH MANHATTAN T Landscape Architect - James Corner Field Operations Architect – Diller, Scofidio + Renfro MEP Engineering – Buro Happold Structural Engineering/Historic Preservation Robert Silman Planting Design – Piet Oudolf General Construction Contractor – CAC Industries Lighting – L’Observatoire International Drainage System – ZinCo USA Signs – Pentagram Design, Inc. he High Line is a public park built on a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure running from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street on Manhattan's West Side. Originally a freight rail line, the High Line was in operation from 1934 to 1980, and it carried meat to the meat packing district, agricultural goods to the factories and warehouses of the industrial West Side, and mail to the Post Office. The High Line is inherently a green structure. It repurposes a piece of industrial infrastructure as public green space. The High Line landscape functions essentially like a green roof; porous pathways contain open joints, so water can drain between planks and water adjacent planting beds, cutting down on the amount of stormwater that runs off the site into the City’s sewer system. The High Line's green roof system is designed to allow the plants to retain as much water as possible. In addition, there is an irrigation system with options for both automatic and manual watering. This system will be particularly important in the first few years as the plants establish themselves, but less necessary over time. The public space blends plant life (reminiscent of the quiet contemplative nature of the selfseeded landscape and wild plantings that once grew on the unused High Line) with long, narrow “planks," forming a smooth, linear, virtually seamless walking surface. The public environment on the High Line contains special features, including a water feature, viewing platforms, a sundeck, and gathering areas to be used for performances, art exhibitions and educational programs. The High Line has rigorous maintenance requirements and the Friends of the High Line, many of whose members are volunteers, are responsible for maintaining this wonderful space. This organization seeks to preserve the entire historic structure and continue the transformation of an essential piece of New York’s industrial past. Through stewardship, innovative design and programming, and excellence in operations, the High Line is increasingly serving as a vibrant community hub. D “WITH THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT VISIT THE HIGH LINE EVERY SINGLE DAY, IT COULD BE ARGUED THAT THE HIGH LINE RECEIVES MORE ATTENTION THAN ANY GREEN ROOF IN THE WORLD AT THE PRESENT TIME.” Dylan Peck, head project manager, Kelco Construction, Inc. LIVING ARCHITECTURE MONITOR FALL 2011 27

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2011

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2011
Contents
From the Founder
Strata
On the Roof With…
Research
Marketing
Policy: The Game Changer
Policy: Toronto’s Green Roof by-Law
Policy: Energy Code Break-Through
Tools
GRHC: Update
GRHC: Welcome New Members
On Spec

Green Roofs - Living Architecture Monitor - Fall 2011