living roof

Summer in the city means a rise in pollution from the 'urban heat island'. Cities remain warmer than suburbs from the lack of evaporation and vegetation but implementing landscaping on roof tops is providing relief. By building green roofs, landscaping the roof tops with sedum and other vegetation, negative environmental impacts from the urban heat island are greatly reduced-- see more here

Energy savings on the operation of power generating plants show a reduction of carbon dioxide. More days at the beach also result from the reduction in storm water runoff. Less pollution, less erosion and reduction of green house gasses, all from combined efforts of landscaped rooftops. Green roofs also provide opportunities for local food production. These landscaped roof tops are beautiful and practical, lasting up to twice as long as regular roofs. Urban ecology has far ranging consequences and green roofs are providing a new eco-friendly direction.

The Open Architecture Network is a collective space for sharing innovative building ideas from around the world, or, in their own words, "dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design."

You can search by project location or type, add your own project, and even manage a project team using the site's tools. Projects range from the fanciful in(out)side house at left, to the Biloxi Model Home being built by MC2 Architects for a shrimp-boat operator who returned after the Hurricane Katrina evacuation and "found that his house had floated 50 feet away and into to the middle of Crawford Street."