FALL/WINTER 2014 • FLOURISH 9
A
roof does its job without fan-
fare or days off, no matter
what the weather. Still, people
tend to think about their roof
only when it's leaking—and that's a prob-
lem, says Kevin Falkerson, an accredited
green roof professional and principal at
SYMBIOS design-build firm in Sebastopol.
"A roof is a valuable piece of real estate
that's often underutilized," notes Falkerson.
"It's also a key contributor to a building's
performance, and a factor in the health of
the local and global environment."
Falkerson recommends installing a liv-
ing roof as a way for residential and com-
mercial building owners to maximize the
aesthetic appeal and functional value of
their home or office—and help the planet.
Technically known as a "vegetative roof-
ing system," a living roof is like a massive
planter box integrated into your roofing
system. A layer of engineered soil mix
sits upon specially designed drainage and
moisture retention layers, all of which
act to protect the underlying waterproof
membrane of the roof. Nestled into the soil
are the plants and irrigation equipment
necessary to create a desired rooftop land-
scape—everything from a meadow filled
with native grasses to a productive fruit
and vegetable garden.
Living roofs always function as a de-
lightful feature in the overall aesthetic of a
building. They're also designed to be used
as an outdoor living space—but humans
aren't the only ones who appreciate these
aerial oases. Living roofs improve the bio-
diversity by providing food and shelter to
birds, bees, butterflies and other creatures.
"Living roofs help people interact with
nature in an easy way throughout the day,"
says Falkerson. "It's wonderful to have an
immediate connection to the living world
simply by looking out a window or sitting
in a rooftop garden."
Living roofs offer practical advantages,
too. They triple the lifespan of the roof
membrane while keeping buildings well-
insulated and thus, energy-efficient. They
help off-set global warming by sequester-
ing carbon and releasing oxygen. And
Top: The bio-rich rooftop at Salmon Creek School in Occidental. Middle: Outdoor balcony over-
looking the green roof at Skyhigh House. Bottom: Ellis Creek Water Treatment Facility in Peteluma.
All photos courtesy of Kevin Falkerson of SYMBIOS.
