Environmental
Cumberland Hall is a residential building that had a 12,300 square foot roof that required replacement. Residential Facilities elected
to install the University’s first green roof to promote sustainable construction that is financially sound and benefits the environment.
Following a structural analysis, the new green roof covers 65 percent of the existing roof area (8000sqft). The remaining 35 percent
of the roof’s surface is reflective stone ballast and membrane roofing that helps keep the building cooler than heat absorbing dark
roofing material. Most of the 12,000 drought tolerant seedlings planted on the roof are hardy sedums which are especially good at
storing water in their thick leaves. The plants will grow to cover 80 percent of the planted space after two years. These native plants
will then attract local birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Another environmental aspect of green roofs is their benefit to stormwater control. . Green roofs absorb stormwater and filter out
pollutants in precipitation. These roofs are also designed to reduce the quantity of runoff by up to 50‐90 percent, and can retain four
times the amount of rainfall compared to a conventional roof.i
Excess stormwater not used by the plants is released more slowly
helping to reduce soil erosion and flooding.
In October 2007, the University adopted the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
(LEED) Silver building standard for all new construction and major renovations. Green roofs have the potential to contribute to many
LEED points to help achieve that rating. These points could come from areas such as stormwater management, water‐efficient
landscaping, energy and atmosphere, and reducing the urban heat island effect.