With a growing number of green roofs appearing, the city of Baltimore is slowly climbing up the green ladder. I wanted to take some time to highlight a few green roofs located right in our neighborhood. In a dense urban setting, green roofs can play a huge role in sustainability efforts because of their ability to mitigate storm water during large rain events. Urban watersheds are especially vulnerable to environmental issues consequence of a high density of people mixed with large amounts of impervious surface area.
1. Baltimore’s National Aquarium
Created to aid the aquarium’s conservation efforts, the extensive green roof atop the National Aquarium in Baltimore stretched for 4,000 square feet. Built in 2005 by the Tecta America, the flourishing roof has been a pleasant addition to the inner harbor.
Keep up the good work Baltimore!
2. Hilton Hotel
The largest of them all, at 32,000 square feet would be located on the Hilton Hotel, installed by the Furbish Company in 2008. Adjacent to the Baltimore Convention Center and Camden Yards, the hotel has 757 rooms available. The green roofs reside on both the east and west wings of the building and create additional outdoor green space for citizens to enjoy.
Hilton Hotel Baltimore the rendering
Baltimore Hilton
3. Baltimore Convention Center
The Baltimore Convention Center followed in 2010, with the Barrett Company working to install a 15,000 square foot green roof. Doubling as a recreational area, this roof has been transformed into a green oasis in the heart of an urban space.
Keep up the good work Baltimore!
4. Mary Catherine Bunting Center at Mercy Medical Center
Also in 2010, Mercy Medical Center stepped up and installed three green rooftops to assist with patient health. With 17,500 square feet, these intensive green roofs are also viewed from many of the patient’s windows. This project was completed with the help of Mahan Rykiel Associates.
Mahan Rykiel has been recognized by the National and Maryland American Societies of Landscape Architecture
An increase in green space in Baltimore is a fantastic step toward a more sustainable city. Keep up the good work Baltimore!
By: Samantha Yurek
