Apartment Buildings Are Transformed With Vegetative Roofs

In the bustling Embarcadero district of San Francisco, two adjacent apartment building developments include remarkable roof-greening transformations. Installed between November 2020 and February 2021, these green roofs hail from the city’s commitment to sustainability, encapsulated in its 2017 Better Roofs Ordinance. The Better Roofs Ordinance mandates that new commercial construction projects allocate 15-30 percent of their roof space for solar and/or green roofs. The LiveRoof installations at the Davis St. and Broadway Apartments were fostered by the need to meet this ordinance — and, maybe more importantly, to appeal to neighbors and residents.

On these two buildings, the LiveRoof areas were strategically designed to address concerns raised by residents in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood regarding potential obstruction or degradation of views. By integrating green roofs into the architectural plan, project approval was secured with community support, demonstrating the value of having a harmonious blend of nature, sustainability, and community engagement. In addition, portions of the green roofs provide for amenity spaces, allowing residents access to these roof top gardens and offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. This integration of nature into urban living spaces enhances the quality of life for residents, while fostering habitat proliferation and biodiversity in the heart of Embarcadero.

Numerous Benefits

In addition to infusing nature into the built environment, these LiveRoof installations help manage storm water. They efficiently capture much of the rainwater, which is treated and stored in underground cisterns and then used to irrigate the green roofs and surrounding landscape. Water conservation and storm water control are important to the municipality, and save on infrastructure investment, but there is also financial gain for the property owner: green roofs can reduce the cooling requirements of a single-story building by as much as 50 percent.

The plant selections for these LiveRoof areas include a diverse mix of grasses, succulents, and California native or native cultivar plants. These species not only thrive in the local climate but also contribute to the ecological balance of the area, supporting native wildlife and enhancing the overall ecosystem health. In total, the combined green roof size across both buildings spans an impressive 5,542 square feet, underscoring the impact of sustainability codes.

Led by Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture, based in San Francisco, the Davis St. and Broadway Apartments project epitomizes a holistic approach to sustainable urban development. By integrating LiveRoof technology, the project sets a precedent for future developments seeking to balance environmental responsibility with community needs, ultimately cultivating a greener, more resilient urban landscape.

Tom Hawkins, president and co-owner of Florasource Ltd., has been at the forefront of horticultural innovation since 2008, when the company first became the LiveRoof representative for California. Over the years, this role has expanded to cover Nevada and Arizona, cementing Florasource’s influence across the Southwest in green roofing solutions. Hawkins is a professional’s professional and has more than 30 years of experience collaborating with commercial growers and propagation nurseries. The company has cultivated a reputation for exceptional service and knowhow. The team dynamic at Florasource revolves around “dedication to excellence.” This ethos not only benefits its relationships with design and engineering firms but also ensures unmatched customer satisfaction.

TEAM

Landscape Architect: Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture,

Horticultural Supply Firm: Florasource Ltd., San Clemente, California, florasourceltd.com

MATERIALS

Green Roof System: LiveRoof Global, LLC, liveroof.com