Project Clearinghouse

Rooftop Garden Feasibility Test

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

This project focused how the Humanities 1 roof can be best utilized to create usable and useful space while accounting for the building’s needs and sustainability-related goals. We looked into the steps to create the grey and unused roof into a green and beneficial space for the building, faculty, staff, and students, analyzing issues like heat transfer from roof to workplace, roof durability, drain water runoff, and lifestyle/community improvements.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Buildings & Facilities
Project Status: 
Completed
Project End Date: 
06/14/2016
Campus Organization: 
Provost's Sustainability Internship Program
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
Humanities Division
Project Location: 
On campus

Humanites Bldg 1


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressDepartment
Lauren Lehrer
lklehrer19@gmail.com
Provost Sustainability Intern
Evin Guy
ecguy@ucsc.edu
Humanities
Kim Hwe
khwe@ucsc.edu
Humanities
Tony Grant
tegrant@ucsc.edu
Humanities

Project Description: 

This project stemmed from the Humanities Green Team’s efforts to create more sustainable spaces and practices in the Humanities Division of UC Santa Cruz. The Humanities Green Team had a grand vision to create a garden on the roof for faculty and the campus community to enjoy seating, fresh air, and plants together. This project marked the first step to exploring the feasibility of to establishing a garden on the Humanities 1 roof. Through interviews with other possible stakeholders on campus, interviews with project managers of other California universities with established green roofs/rooftop gardens, and general reading and research. In researching we concluded it is not possible at this time to move forward with a rooftop garden on Humanities 1.

Metrics for Success: 

This project has identified clear needs, suggestions, and roadblocks to implementing a rooftop garden on Humanities 1. We used information and answered questions concerning the Humanities 1 roof as a metric for success.

Result Categories: 
Infrastructure/Built Environment
Results: 

We have to decided not to move forward with a green roof/rooftop garden project on Humanities 1 at this time. Through the project we have learned about green roof/rooftop garden technology and industry. Book notes, interview notes, general information on green roofs, presentations, and documentation of roadblocks for a rooftop garden on Humanities 1 are now available from the Humanities Green Team.

Resources
AttachmentSize
File 1 Rooftop Gardens-2.pptx5.03 MB
PDF icon CopyofFinalPSI2015-16HumanitiesRooftopGardenFeasibilityTestPaper.pdf7.47 MB
PDF icon GreenEventChecklist.pdf183.36 KB
PDF icon QuickPointstoRooftopGardenFeasibilityonHumanities1.pdf31.42 KB
Related Websites: 
Final Project Slideshow