ROOFTOP

BUILDING BRIDGES BUILDING DREAMS CONCEPT

The Green Roof Project at Seward Park High School is a continuing experience in Learning, creating a living forum for students and the surrounding community to interact with technology and the environment. It offers a comprehensive Green solution to storm water management and construction by incorporating innovative techniques and recycled materials with an exciting design program. The Rooftop will become a lesson in environmentally responsible design and construction while fully embracing its urban location. It also provides outdoor classroom and gathering spaces, as well as flexible spaces for the students to explore the design process. The Rooftop will create a place of beauty where people of diverse backgrounds can come together to find common ground and there build bridges of hope and inspiration for the future. It is a place to dream. Inspiration for the Rooftop Project is drawn from its urban setting and close proximity to Manhattan Bridge, which is visible from the windows on the roof. Seward Park High School is a magnet school containing four unique schools under one roof. It is bordered by Grand, Essex, Ludlow and Broome Streets and covers over one acre. More than 1500 students from every walk of life attend Seward following the footsteps of famous actors Walter Matthau and Estelle Getty, and scientist Julius Axelrod. Benefits and Goals for the Rooftop: Lower Utility Costs due to added insulating value Solar Energy Gain Storm water Management Solutions & Rainwater Harvesting Improved Air Quality Improved Urban Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation of Valuable Land Increased awareness of environmental responsibility Added Classroom space and learning opportunities Added Recreational space Opportunities for Community Interaction and Use Generation of Solar Energy through Photovaltaics Improved Quality of Life for the Students Maximum use of Recycled Materials Enhanced Views from and of the school A model for other large, urban landmarks To provide an educational venue for learning about our ever changing world.

DRAINAGE
Currently, the existing roof drainage system consists of a pitched surface directing runoff into a series of drains that eventually connect and carry the water off of the roof. No remediation of the storm water is in place. As proposed, runoff will instead be harvested using a system of underground pipes and reused to irrigate planting beds. Through the natural process of phytoremediation, the plant material will

remove pollutants from the storm water and purify it, thereby removing the need for additional chemicals for fertilization. The existing roof drain system will eliminate any backup of rainwater during high intensity rainfalls. A circulating pump will be used to maintain adequate water pressure, while a moisture meter on the irrigation system will regulate water usage for maximum conservation. Runoff shall be directed into trench drains and/or storm cells by sloping surfaces at approximately 1/2% to create positive flow. Water will be held in the underground pipes and distributed through the irrigation system as needed, with overflow discharging into the existing roof drainage system. Lightweight storm sewer pipes, such as ADS type, shall be used to minimize additional weight and distribute the water load evenly. Runoff from the existing roof structure over the southerly wing (covering the gym and classrooms) shall be directed into an above ground cistern via roof gutters and drainpipe. Water from the cistern shall be pumped to pipes located under the boardwalk for irrigation of the southerly planting areas. The cistern shall be constructed of lightweight, attractive materials to blend in with the surroundings of the Living Lounge. This system will be a working lesson in economical solutions to architectural and engineering challenges.

STRUCTURE
An analysis of the existing building structure revealed structural columns located at approximate intervals of 14 corresponding to the corridor system on the floors below. The elements proposed on the Rooftop project of greatest weight, i.e. trees, structures, water features, are placed over these structural columns, or in line with the exterior masonry load bearing walls. A structural engineer must be consulted to verify existing structural integrity and current and proposed loads. Currently, access onto the Rooftop is via several stairwells located throughout the rooftop space. This plan proposes to raise the existing elevators to provide new access to the roof that will meet federal and state handicapped accessibility standards. Above the elevator shaft, the penthouse will be reconstructed. Light weight concrete should be considered for this construction. The proposed boardwalk system is to be constructed to meet federal and state handicapped accessibility requirements. Ramping of the boardwalk will begin 4 from the existing entry doors and shall extend to meet the finished grade of 4 above the existing floor deck. A new floor system will be raised over the existing roof deck consisting of areas covered with Trex decking (a recycled material) and turf cover. This will allow enhanced viewing out of the windows which are 5-6 above the existing roof deck. The use of lightweight materials, such as aerated concrete and Ecoresin, and lightweight soils will minimize additional load. Trees and structures will be located on top of existing support columns.

DESIGN PROGRAM
Borrowing its design from the New Design High School logo, the North Wing is a unique place with opportunities for gathering in separate, yet integrated, areas. A raised dias allows an individual to address groups gathered in the central space or the lowered paved plaza space. Three pools of water in the center with differing elevations are connected by a rill to the lowest level. The pools contain storm cells to keep the water depth to a minimum and are enhanced with water plants.

The third set of circles are indented into the ground plane and decorated with a fun tiled mosaic. Meet me at the fishbowl, will become a popular saying at the Seward Complex. The ground plane is covered with artificial turf for informal seating on the ground and low maintenance. The logo design is also repeated overhead using colored, Lucite panels echoing the shapes directly below them. Sunlight filtering through the Lucite and lights to illuminate them at night make for a beautiful and sheltered gathering spot. The side and rear walls will be covered with plant materials which require little watering. The walls of the existing stairwell buildings facing into the space will be screened with panels made from Ecoresin, a recycled material, which can be coated to act as mirrors to enhance the feeling of space. The Plaza space can be made of porous pavement, which allows water to penetrate directly through it instead of running off in sheet flow. This is a new and innovative material used to reduce the overall imperviousness of a site and is an important principle in design. An enclosure for the Theater area consisting of clear walls, sliding shoji-type doors, and a retractable roof is proposed. This will allow for planned events, either for school or community use, regardless of weather conditions, with the option of open-air gatherings. The spaces in front of the theater can also be used as overflow. The mound seating in the theater is made of polystyrene covered with Astro Turf. They will be lightweight enough to be moved for maximum flexibility. Two Flexible Design Spaces are placed between the theater and the cafe spaces. They can be designed and constructed anew every year by the students. Having this level of involvement will be exciting and rewarding for the students to see their designs come to life and interact with them throughout the year. This type of involvement will encourage students to stay in school and also teach them valuable team building skills. The Cafe spaces will be flexible spaces with tables and chairs made of recycled milk jugs which never need painting. They will provide gathering space for any occasion and can be expanded to include a portion of the existing mechanical building adjacent to it if desired. This additional indoor space could be programmed to include a snack bar and/or full kitchen. Between the Cafe spaces and the boardwalk, the new raised elevators and penthouses will be flanked on either side by Clear Galleries. These Galleries will showcase the students work with rotating exhibits. Events highlighting new exhibits are easily accommodated by the cafe spaces. A sheltered space with overhead planting greets visitors stepping out of the elevators and onto the Rooftop as if entering a whole new world. Turf seating suspended from the roof beams by cables enhances the bridge experience and offers a fun place to sit. The Living Lounge is an interesting niche located in the southwestern corner of the Rooftop. Plants are found in unexpected places. Walls, ceiling, and a hanging screen contain vertical plants while the ground plane is hardscaped with a tree motif incorporated into it. The Lounge is screened for privacy with bamboo and a vertical screen suspended fro the overhead roof grid to offer a place for intimate gathering or quiet reflection.

RECYCLED AND INNOVATIVE MATERIALS

The use of recycled materials is at the heart of the Rooftop construction philosophy. It is important that students and the community understand how to incorporate recycling into their own lives, and see how everyday items can be reused in extraordinary ways. Perspex, a Lucite derivative, is used to create the unique ceiling panels in the north wing. It does not degrade or discolor under high ultra violet radiation and is well suited for application on the Rooftop. Perspex is made primarily from recycled soda bottles and pantyhose. Its lightweight qualities and transparency let natural light in, while providing whimsical shade. Ecoresin, a material made from recycled soda bottles, is used to create the panels screening the walls of the existing stairway buildings. It is available in a variety of colors, textures, and reflective coatings. Trex decking is used to create a new flooring surface throughout the majority of the Rooftop space. It is made from a combination of reclaimed wood and plastic and does not rot, splinter, or need painting or staining. Trex also has great traction and provides a safe, environmentally friendly flooring surface. Aircon, an aerated concrete, is a lightweight concrete product with all the same structural and materials of conventional concrete, but at a fraction of its weight. It is made by adding air to the concrete mixture and will be used for the construction of planting beds, walls, and other structures or floors. Tumbled Glass Mulch will be used in the planting beds in a blue, green and white mix to give the feeling of water beneath the bridge structure. Made from recycled glass, it keeps the planting beds warm and will stay in place better than conventional bark-type mulch. Recycled milk jugs make up the furniture in the Caf Space, which will be light-weight and require no painting. The most ecologically sound materials are those that are derived from waste or recycled products. Incorporating crushed clay bricks, which are made from unusable waste bricks or tiles from brick factories, into the soil medium benefits the plants and reduces solid waste. Additionally, if waste or recycled materials are obtained from local sources, the energy used in their transport to the site is minimized (with associated cost benefits). By-products of building development, i.e. brick rubble, concrete, and subsoils, are also good options.

PLANTING ELEMENTS
A lightweight soil mixture with 2-3 depths will be used with the planting beds. Reinforcement of the planting beds will be provided by a metal decking structure underneath it. To prevent loss of soil through the drainage medium, a root-proof filter fabric must be installed between the growing medium and the drainage layer. To avoid excessive water retention and promote healthy roots, the growing medium must be free of silt to prevent blockage of the filter fabric. Artificial soils are recommended with characteristics tailored to the needs of the specified plant palette. Examples of natural mineral materials include sand and lava. Soil mediums proposed are a moderate nutrient holding capacity type for perennials and a low nutrient holding capacity type for woody plants. The soil compositions for each are as follows: Moderate nutrient holding capacity: 30% Expanded Shale 30% Tire shreds 30% Crushed Brick 10% Rock-wool Low nutrient holding capacity: 45% Expanded Shales 45% Tire shreds 10% Rock-wool

The Plant Palette consists of plants that are attractive, have nitrogen-fixing ability, root hardiness, are low maintenance, and/or well suited for the USDA Zone 6b hardiness for long term survivability. The plants will attract new wildlife to the Rooftop, such as birds, butterflies, and insects, to improve the biodiversity and ecology of the site. Horticulture and biology lessons can take place on the Rooftop in a real and hands-on way. The Rooftop Project is a site where important design concepts are bridged sustainability, aesthetics, low maintenance, environmental responsibility, usefulness, and realistic costs and layered into a beautiful space that will last throughout the years. ROOFTOP Project Designers: Melissa Currie and Brad Biren Cornell University Landscape Architecture December 7, 2004