A real leafy roof

Motorists usually do a double-take when they first pass the Life Expression Wellness Center in Sugarloaf Township.

The building is impressive, but it’s the roof – a lush carpet of plants – that stands out, especially in an area that isn’t too familiar with the concept of putting vegetation atop structures.

Owners Ron and Joanne Gallagher wanted a “green roof” because it is energy efficient, eco-friendly, lasting and just plain attractive.

The 6,000 square feet of vegetation soaks up rain, which reduces and slows storm water run-off and purifies the water before it drips off.

The groundcover sedum plants cool the building in the summer. (Think about the temperature difference of sun hitting grass versus a traditional roof.) The earthy blanket insulates the building in the winter, reducing heating costs.

Maintenance is a breeze, the Gallaghers say. They merely climb up two or three times a year to pull weeds. They don’t have to water the roof because the 6,000 plants – most flowering varieties – are designed to withstand harsh, fluctuating weather conditions, including droughts.

It should last a lifetime, and Joanne said she likes the idea that she won’t be contributing traditional roofing materials to a landfill.

Green roofs are popular in more environmentally-progressive European countries, especially Germany. The concept is picking up here. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a green roof industry association, announced in April that North America had a 25 percent growth rate in green roof projects in 2006, compared to the previous year.

The Life Expression Wellness Center roof is most colorful for about 10 weeks in the summer, blazing with yellow, pink, fuchsia and white. It turns brownish and goes dormant in the winter, just like grass.

The roof attracts birds, bees, grasshoppers and crickets, Ron said, pleased that he’s providing a home for wildlife. It was dotted with spider webs that stood out one recent misty morning, he said.

“I think the only thing I haven’t seen up there is a snake,” he said, laughing.

The building, located off state Route 93 on Rock Glen Road, was designed from the top down so it could support the weight of a green roof. The footers are 8 feet wide and 18 inches thick.

The Gallaghers hired renowned architect Sim Van Der Ryn of California to design the building. Constructed in 2001, the structure is shaped like healing hands and positioned according to the sun’s equinox to maximize solar gain in the winter and shade in the summer.

The wellness center provides chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release and massage therapy.

The interior doesn’t have an underground feel because the three wings are loaded with windows, including those placed in interior walls, to maximize natural light. A cupola with windows was also added to allow more light and air.

Lights are rarely needed, and the building is equipped with motion sensor lights so they aren’t left on when people leave each room. Water-based paint was used on the walls. White was chosen – even on window jams – to better reflect natural light.

The building was insulated with recycled newspaper cellulose, and the heat is in the hydronic tile floor.

Though the roof was more expensive up front, Ron said he hopes to offset the investment through its durability and energy efficiencies.

“What we’re trying to achieve is minimizing energy costs and the negative effect on the environment,” Ron said.

The Wellness Center won the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ “North American Green Roofs of Excellence Award” in 2004. It is one of the steepest-pitched green roofs in the country – a feat that required additional support systems to keep the vegetation in place.

Ron said he didn’t want a flat roof because people wouldn’t be able to see and enjoy the greenery. He also likes how the gentle curve of the roof blends in with the surrounding hills.

The vegetative cover was originally 5 inches deep but has settled to about 4 inches, Ron said.

A special blend known as media was used as a substitute for traditional soil. The media supports the roots and stays put while allowing drainage.

A degradable blanket mesh was laid over the media so wind and rain wouldn’t destroy the mixture before plants took root.

Leaks were Ron’s greatest fear, but he’s not worried because the green roof engineer – Roofscapes Inc. of Philadelphia – installed a hi-tech detection system that pinpoints excessive moisture.

Curious visitors routinely stop by to learn more about the roof and building, prompting the Gallaghers to set up a table with informational fliers.

“It’s a welcoming building,” Ron said, pointing out walls that curve instead of ending in harsh edges. “We wanted to have a building that reflects the services performed within.”