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Demonstration 2
Green Roof
Location: Whipple School Annex, 25 Green Street,
Ipswich, MA
Purpose:
Ipswich Green Roof |
- Demonstrate the effectiveness of vegetated roof covers, or “green
roofs,” in reducing rooftop runoff and nonpoint
source pollution.
- Quantify the storage of rainfall by the green roof.
- Quantify pollutant removal associated with the green roof.
- Reduce nonpoint source pollution to the Ipswich River, immediately
adjacent to the property.
- Improve energy efficiency of the building (not quantified for
the purposes of this project)
Description: The green roof demonstration site, Whipple Annex, is a former school building, which was redeveloped as affordable housing for seniors, by the North Shore Housing Trust. The green roof was installed as an example of an “extensive” (as opposed to “intensive”) system, with 3-4 inches of soil medium and 10 varieties of low-growing, drought-tolerant plantings, including 8 varieties of sedum, accented by chive (Allium schoenoprasum) and fame flower (Talinum calicynum), which provide height, color, and texture. The green roof covers the entire rooftop, approximately 3,000 square feet, including a steeply-pitched stairwell headhouse. The green roof is visible from the adjacent Ipswich Town Hall roof (accessible by permission only, during guided tours). The project was designed by K.J. Savoie Architecture and installed by Magco, Inc.
Data Collection and Analysis: The U.S. Geological
Survey is collecting runoff samples from the green roof to assess
both the quantity and quality of runoff. Water quality samples will
be analyzed for a range of parameters, including conductivity, pH,
nitrogen, phosphorus, metals, and total petroleum hydrocarbons.
The data from the green roof will be compared to data from the conventional
roof at Ipswich Town Hall to assess the effectiveness of the green roof in reducing rooftop
runoff and removing pollutants.
Partners:
- North Shore Housing Trust, Newburyport, MA
- Town of Ipswich
- U.S. Geological Survey
Designers: K.J. Savoie Architecture, Ipswich,
MA
Constuction: Magco, Inc., Jessup, MD
Status: See Progress
Report
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