I recently met up with Inger Yancey, architect and founder of Brooklyn Green Roofs, a company that designs and installs green roofs atop city homes and offices. Green roofs not only bring a bit of nature back to the city, but create more energy-efficient buildings as well. More information after the jump!
Brooklyn Green Roofs from Heather Quinlan on Vimeo.
Why a green roof, you might ask? Aside from looking more appealing than tar, there are financial and environmental benefits, including:
– Buildings are naturally cooler inside, and the city is cooler outside.
– Less power is required to cool buildings.
– Stormwater is absorbed and filtered by the plants.
– Less polluted water reaches the rivers and estuaries of NYC.
– We can harvest rainwater from the roof to irrigate our gardens.
– Migratory birds, butterflies and bees enjoy an expanded habitat.
– Green roofs produce oxygen and filter dust and pollutants from the air, making our city a healthier place to live.
In addition, NYC now offers a tax credit for those who have a green roof installed, which helps pay a large part of the cost. For more information, check out brooklyngreenroof.com.
