t e r r a . f l u x u s

15th Nov2010

PDX Greenmap (Beta Version)

by Jason King

I’ve been experimenting with simple online tools to create informative mapping applications to access information about Sustainable Sites throughout a particular area. As a side project for information and tours, I have collected and worked with Google Earth and Google Maps for plotting points and doing simple displays, but I wanted something a bit more robust to give users and added level of information and interactivity. Inspired by a former project of mine, using the Greenmap system, this beta version is called PDX Greenmap, a more focused map of sites in the Portland-Metro Region that are focused on innovative strategies for ecological landscape architecture.

As you can see from the beginning interface, there is a hierarchy of sites which are plotted using color-coded icons. These cover some generalized categories including:

Ecological Restoration
Information + Education
Green Streets
Permeable Paving
Rain Gardens + Swales
Stormwater Art
Urban Agriculture
Vegitecture
Wildlife Habitat.

A closeup shows the icons in context, in this case for The Headwaters at Tryon Creek, as site that includes many different strategies in a smaller area.

The map also gives options for background maps, including my favorite ‘Terrain’ (seen in a closeup of downtown below).

Further scaling and map layers allows users to zoom in and change background display (including aerial photos) and to open up additional detail allowing integration of data to provide links, additional information, address, contacts, and geolocation information.

There is also the ability to create hybrid maps (overlaying streets information with aerials) for easier navigation. The display pop-ups can be customized as well to include project photographs and other information as available. (As I mentioned it is a beta, so those visiting the site will only find this test entry with full info for now).

Further zooming capability, matched with aerial photography, connects to interesting aspect of the ecological urbanism, including aggregations of projects such as the South Waterfront green roofs above, or a closer look at a four-block area of the Pearl District below, showing views of a number of different, but interconnected through proximity, examples of rooftop greening – including Lovejoy Block 1, The Asa Townhomes, The Wyatt, and Machineworks. The aerial aspects also give views not normally accessible to city dwellers, showing some of the green above ground that is often missed. More information will be embedded to show publically-accessible sites that people can visit to learn more.

The interface is ok, but could use some work for additional usability and display of information. The goal is not to focus on issues of proprietary knowledge, but make this an open-source platform that can act as a resource for collecting information, leading those interested to model projects, and increase the visibility of the landscape architecture profession in the region. I’d definitely be interested in 1) what other tools offer customization of mapping data with low cost and little technical programming knowledge, and 2) for those locally-based, who would be interested in working on the data and gathering more sites to provide a clear picture of the Portland areas rich legacy of innovative sustainable landscape architecture.

Kick the tires and let me know what you think.

Category : announcements, community, ecoroofs, environmental, graphics, landscape, mapping, planning, portland, projects, publications, sustainability, tours, urbanism, vegitecture

1 Comm

10th Nov2010

More OHSU Ecoroofs

by Jason King

As the OHSU CDRC project wraps up, a pair of other projects are currently underway, ready to start installation in a few weeks. These smaller roofs occupy the main building aggregation of the OHSU campus, including the Mark O. Hatfield Research Center and the C-Wing of main hospital building. Both are located on the fourth floor, separated by a 16 story tower and surrounding by taller building walls. While not physically accessible except for maintenance, they are designed for low-maintenance and aesthetic views from surrounding structures.

The HRC is surrounded by larger buildings that wrap it on all sides, making it a challenge in developing a plant palette that will work in cool, damp, shady conditions. The grid works off of the existing window pattern, creating a series of 8×8′ planted areas with maintenance walkways in between. The area to the west is a staging area for an adjacent MRI – so needed to be kept open to allow for craning large magnets into place that are replaced every couple of years. The ‘stream’ winding through the middle is a product of a natural existing drainage pattern of condensate from one of the upper roofs, breaking up the grid using a combination of blue river rock and blue glass – making it a visible contrast to the vegetation when viewed from above. Area will be planted with sedum cuttings and shade-tolerant perennials in different patches of texture, color, and flower. The roof will have almost 1000 square feet of area when completed.

The C-Wing is more exposed to south facing sun, so includes a different mix of vegetation, as well as a slightly shallower depth of growing media due to structural capacity issues. A lighter weight mix, at 2.5″ depth will keep saturated weights below 14 pounds per square foot to allow for maximum function with our allowable weight. The bands work off existing windows to provide modulation to the thin expanse of rooftop, comprised of different mixes of sedum cuttings in three zones: 1) Green Cover; 2) Accent Bands, and 3) Color & Texture. An access band continues from the “west roof”, allowing for maintenance and exiting from doors and roof hatch. This roof will have over 1300 square feet of vegetated area, with a possible addition of 800 square feet to the south.

The proximity of these rooftops starts to develop a critical mass – along with a variety of other ecoroofs and terraces to greening the hill… and there are potentially more projects underway. Check back for additional project updates on all of these projects.

Category : ecoroofs, environmental, graphics, heathcare, images, portland, projects, sustainability, vegitecture

2 Comm

05th Nov2010

BES Ecoroof Contract Supports Minority & Women-Owned Business

by Jason King

Mike Schilling with Snyder Roofing works on an eco-roof project at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center at Oregon Health and Science University. Snyder will award 30 to 40 percent of a recent contract to install eco-roofs at prominent minority gather places to firms owned by minorities or women. (Photo by Dan Carter/DJC)

Contract gives Portland minority, women firms eco-roof work

From the DJC Oregon – Friday November 5, 2010 (by Nathalie Weinstein)

A quarter-million square feet of eco-roofs have been installed in Portland since the city’s Bureau of Environmental Services launched its Grey to Green initiative in 2008. But minority, women-owned and emerging small businesses say it’s still difficult for them to gain experience in what has become one of the city’s growing industries.

It’s not that these firms don’t have the technical know-how to perform eco-roof projects, said Dan Koffel, president of Snyder Roofing. The problem lies, instead, with the fact that smaller minority- and women-owned businesses often can’t obtain bonding for eco-roof projects because they don’t have experience installing them.

The situation may change now that a $160,000 contract has been struck between the city and several companies, including Snyder Roofing, to get MWESB firms some experience in installing eco-roofs.

The city’s Grey to Green program is a five-year effort to install bio-swales, eco-roofs, street trees and other natural storm-water treatment systems around the city to prevent combined sewer overflows to the Willamette River. To construct an eco-roof, a waterproof membrane is placed on a conventional roof and covered with a growing medium that allows plants to grow. Eco-roofs significantly reduce storm-water runoff from building roofs, absorb carbon dioxide and insulate a building for better energy efficiency.

The city contracted with Snyder Roofing, landscape architecture firm TERRA.fluxus LLC, planting expert Teufel Landscape, Cascade Design Services and green workforce nonprofit Verde to identify and install up to 30,000 square feet of eco-roofs in Portland during the next two years. As part of the city’s efforts to get minorities and women involved in city contracts, 30 percent to 40 percent of all subcontracting dollars attached to the eco-roof effort will go to minority- and women- owned businesses, according to Alan Hipólito, executive director of Verde.

“Diversity in contracting is important anytime the government comes to the marketplace,” Hipólito said. “Sustainable development should be universally understood to mean economic, environmental and social equity. That triple bottom line is the idea behind the effort.”

The eco-roof contract also is expected to help identify prominent places within minority and low-income communities to install eco-roofs. With an eye toward encouraging building owners to install the systems, the BES offers an incentive of $5 per square foot of eco-roof. But the city says it has been tough to spread the news that the incentive exists.

“We advertise and send e-mails about it to Metro,” said Amy Chomowicz, eco-roof program administrator with the BES. “Then we wait for projects to come to us. But not everyone wants to listen to what the government has to say. With Snyder out there identifying projects for us, we can involve a broader sector of our community, as well as perform environmental projects outside of more affluent neighborhoods.”

No eco-roof sites have been nailed down yet, Hipólito said, but he would like to see an eco-roof go up at places such as the Baltazar Ortiz Center and the Native American Youth Family Center in Northeast Portland. He hopes the green roofs will encourage younger minorities to pursue careers in sustainable design.

“Developing eco-roofs at recognized institutions for communities of color presents an opportunity for people to learn what it is, why it’s there and who built it,” Hipólito said. “If they are in middle or high school, they can learn about opportunities for careers in construction and even to be the person who designs and engineers the eco-roof.”

Hipólito and Snyder Roofing this week met with members of the Metropolitan Contractor Improvement Partnership and the National Association of Minority Contractors Oregon chapter to develop a list of minority and women-owned firms to perform the painting, hauling and other contracts involved with an eco-roof installation. Soon, Snyder will begin meeting with these firms to talk about bid opportunities.

“With more projects like this, our children should be able to say to yours, ‘We had an opportunity to actively participate in environmental sustainability; I had an opportunity to build this,’ ” said Tony Jones, executive director of the Metropolitan Contractor Improvement Partnership.

Category : announcements, community, ecoroofs, landscape, portland, press, projects, publications, sustainability, vegitecture

1 Comm

03rd Nov2010

Construction: OHSU CDRC Ecoroof

by Jason King

Some progress on the OHSU CDRC Ecoroof project, which is slowly coming together (and trying to hop-scotch around other building related construction). In the past couple of weeks, the insulation, drain board, and irrigation has gone in for many of the areas. The irrigation connected from ground level, brought up to the roof, then routed and cut into the insulation under the surface with stub-outs at valve boxes and other equipment.

The leak detection tape was installed at perimeters and around drains prior to installation of the additional layers.

Irrigation was installed at the third floor point-of-connection and routed up the side the building (no penetration of the building envelope was allowed). These will be flashed with a metal cover to match the rest of the building flashing and protect the piping.

After a layer of filter fabric, the subsurface capillary irrigation is going in on Level three. As pavers had yet to arrive, areas were marked out for layout, and irrigation was installed in planted areas.

The pavers started going in soon after – which are necessary for egress – and also form a small patio space on Level 3 for building users.

The Level three roof was finished off with edging & pavers. There are some accessories like drain boxes and gravel edging material still has to go down, but it’s almost ready for some plants!

On Level 4, ecoroof components, irrigation, and growing media for the strip of ecoroof adjacent to the pathway and interior building hallway were starting to go in.

Also on Level 4, an additional evening crane lift staged more bags of growing media across the roof and media began to be spread.

Heading up on friday, where significant progress has been made on planting Level 3 and finalizing Level 4 – so more photos to follow.

Category : ecoroofs, environmental, installations, landscape, portland, projects, sustainability, vegitecture

2 Comm

27th Oct2010

Understanding Regional Ecoroof Irrigation

by Jason King

Always a fascinating topic, some of the more technical aspects of the irrigation of irrigation for vegetated roofs (aka ecoroofs) will be a topic of discussion at tonights Green Roof information Think-tank (GRiT) meeting, happening at the Lucky Labrador Taproom on 1700 North Killingsworth in Portland – starting at 6pm . Should be a lively dialogue.

I’ve done some comparative analysis of cities before, but decided it would be interesting to update and expand on the data as the industry has grown. Thus I captured precipitation data from a number of cities around the United States and the rest of the globe. The table of values is found below (click on it to enlarge it to a more readable size).

The color coding gives high and low ends to precipitation, to show times of significant input and times of drought conditions. Blue areas denote months that receive 4 inches or more of precipitation, and brown areas show months with 1″ or less of precipitation. This shows our bookended precipitation scheme in the Pacific Northwest, with a distinct rainy winter and a comparatively dry summer. Obviously the distinction is most common by comparing say Phoenix to Miami – but there are some interesting elements that emerge, particularly in comparisons of cities that have similar rainfall amounts as Portland, like Chicago and Washington D.C. These may be the perfect analogue to a consistent 12 month rain period that is common in Europe (often leading to a common North American misconception that irrigation isn’t necessary).

Depends on where you live – and the disparity between precipitation and evapotranspiration in our summers is pretty immense, as shown in the following graph.

Our Portland area (and the western US in general) follows this interesting downward graph shape that is almost opposite to a summer rise in evapotranspiration. A comparison of cities that are indicative of the trend:

The distinction is more obvious when there is some comparison between groups of cities with more stable precipitation through the year. This hold true in the model green roof pioneering zones of Northern Europe:

And also in a range of cities throughout the United States, including some of the leaders in green roof implementation.

It is, of course, a macro-level analysis, but is really telling in fine-tuning large scale assumptions about green roofs to the more regional variations in climate and precipitation. While the ever-evolving idea of sustainability is rightly generating an ideology of water-consciousness, there is an innate lack of homogeneity that exists throughout cities around the world and even within the US. The goal is obviously not to pour lots of water on these systems, but rather to come up with a balance of how much irrigation (at strategic times during drought periods) is necessary to maintain ecological function and meet project specific functional and aesthetic needs. There is a continuum of goals that must be taken into account that is misguided by blanket declarations of correct answers for implementation of any system.

Thus instead of a specific ‘no-irrigation mandate’ that is encourage by sustainable purists and/or oversimplified rating schemes, there needs to be a resource cost/benefit analysis of the value of resource to the overall collective benefits for a project and external benefits to the community at large. Then we can begin to fine-tune the concepts of using only as much water as we need, test designs and efficacy of no-irrigation roofs, and refine technologies for re-purposing reclaimed rain and greywater, getting to a net-zero scenario that makes use the available resources.

Category : ecoroofs, environmental, graphics, landscape, portland, presentations, research, thoughts, vegitecture, water

0 Comm

14th Oct2010

‘Extreme’ Ecoroof Aerials

by Jason King

A new photo set on the Salem Statesman Journal, shows off some aerial ballon shots – finally giving a comprehensive view of the ecoroof at the Oregon School for the Deaf, installed as part of the Extreme Makeover events. These photos were shot by Jim Desch and the Balloon Flying Service of Oregon.

A closeup of the ecoroof shows off the newly installed vegetated mats.

(all images courtesy of the Salem Statesman Journal.) Be sure to catch the entire episode on Halloween night (10/31) at 8pm on local ABC channels.

Category : community, ecoroofs, environmental, landscape, portland, press, projects, sustainability, vegitecture

0 Comm

30th Sep2010

The Ecoroof Tipping Point

by Jason King

Readers of the blog updates for TERRA.fluxus will recognize that a good portion of the work is focused on rooftop-related design (i.e. vegitecture) such as terraces, green roof, and ecoroof projects. In this vein, and in keeping with my love of interesting infographics, I thought it would be interesting to chart my past and current rooftop greening projects to see how they stacked up as a cumulative body of work. This consists of work done independently, as well as work completed at previous firms (noted by color differences in the main graphic bar). It also incorporates physical projects that have been installed (green acreage color bar to the left) – with a caveat that the most recent project is ‘almost’ done, so I moved it prematurely into the actual. Other projects that are currently in design process or awaiting building construction show up in dot pattern towards the top of the chart to show recent work (date range and cumulative square footage is on the right). I’ve left out other projects that were designed, in various stages, but did not proceed to become real projects for one reason or the other.

It’s interesting to note the tipping point from late 2009 through 2010 for projects. From the first project in 2001, it has been a relatively slow progression, with a couple of projects a year resulting in around 10,000 square feet of total rooftop area – culminating in a bit over 80,000 square feet after 8 years. (note: I’m including the entire roof area that was part of the scope including paved areas, plazas, etc. and not just the vegetated areas) This isn’t surprising over all, as the city of Portland, particularly downtown where most of my work has been focused, is characterized by small (200′x200′) blocks, meaning that with site constraints, it’s rare to see a project exceed 20,000 s.f.

Converse to the economy, in the past year, the size and overall number of projects increasing (total built and designed – to be constructed) is almost an acre this year – with expected construction of all projects – with the exception of Van Ness Medical Center which is slated for 2012. This may be an indication of a slight market recovery, or perhaps a reflection on the health of the ecoroof market utilizing combined incentives plus requirements from municipalities. Is this a sign that the forces are aligning for making green rooftops a more economically viable asset to construction? Perhaps it is an indication that the design-build market may be finally starting to bear some fruit through the bundling of services under one banner?

Another aside (not reflected in the graphic but interesting nonetheless) is the breakdown of new construction to retrofit projects (for all those naysayers bent on nixing the viability of retrofit roofs). Of the 135,770 s.f. installed and designed, 70,100 s.f. of this is retrofit roofs done in conjunction with re-roofing of an existing structure. This amounts to over half of the projects (51.6%) that are retrofit, not surprisingly many of these are current projects – as the slow-down in new construction has limited that range of projects.

With more expansive data, it would be interesting to crunch some of the local and regional data (not just my projects) to tease out some trends in the overall industry. Perhaps a project for another day, as I have some ecoroof projects to work on.

Category : ecoroofs, graphics, installations, landscape, policy, portland, presentations, projects, research, roof gardens, thoughts, vegitecture

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30th Sep2010

Vegitecture Visualizations 3

by Jason King

Final is the series of Vegitecture Visualizations (see previous versions 1 + 2) – this time for another Los Angeles project. Tremco Sustainable Solutions is aiming to present a vision of what the roof terrace for a commerical office building on the high-end real estate at the corner of Wilshire and Rodeo. Different from the previous versions, these images depict the simple installation of a combination of extensive rooftop, intensive planters, and living wall – all working in tandem to create a lush and usable outdoor space – making it an extension of the interior offices. By selectively screening mechanical piping and focusing attention inward, the roof will become a gather space for employees and a place for working meetings.

Category : ecoroofs, environmental, graphics, images, landscape, los angeles, planting, presentations, roof gardens, sustainability, vegitecture

0 Comm

30th Sep2010

Low Impact Development Tour

by Jason King

Today was a beautiful morning for a tour of Downtown Portland. The occasion was a group from various parts of Canada in town as part of the International Visitor Program. I was honored to be asked by the World Affairs Council of Oregon to help out taking a group on a short walk with a focus on Water Resource Management as part of their stay. The small group included representatives from groups in Ontario, Calgary, Victoria, and Winnipeg – all looking to the Portland area for solutions to issues of stormwater management, low-impact development, water quality, and water resource management.

The tour began at the Brewery Blocks, winding along the streetcar blocks and ending in the North Pearl District, covering many site and stormwater project types – including rooftop terraces, ecoroofs, flow-through planters, swales, green walls, parks, open spaces and urban wetlands. The walking tour also gave an opportunity for discussion and outlining some of the history of the district, its successes and challenges. A map of the tour program

More about the International Visitor Program:

“Each year, 4,000 foreign visitors identified by United States Embassies as the future leaders in their countries, participate in U.S. Department of State-sponsored study tours to the United States. The visitors, representing over 100 countries and a wide range of professional interests, meet Americans of different ages and backgrounds, and learn about the traditions and ideas which characterize the United States and make it unique. Each visitor spends approximately 22 days in the country and visits 4-5 different states. Nearly five hundred visitors come to Oregon each year. The World Affairs Council of Oregon arranges personalized itineraries for each visitor including professional meetings, sightseeing tours and home hospitality. This person-to-person program builds international friendships and promotes international understanding.”

Category : community, ecoroofs, environmental, landscape, mapping, planning, policy, portland, presentations, sustainability, tours

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28th Sep2010

OHSU CDRC Rooftop Greening

by Jason King

An update on the Oregon Health + Science University (OHSU) project at the Child Development & Rehabilitation Center – as the roofing scope is completed and the ecoroof installation gets closer to happening. As shown previously, the overall project contains two levels, which incorporate extensive ecoroof areas with paved patio zones for building users.

The overall plan and construction documentation has been completed, resulting in almost 6,000 square feet of vegetated area. The configuration of rooftop spaces aims as providing exterior spaces to sit, while maximizing green space, aiding in stormwater management. The graphic also included some images of extensive ecoroof vegetation, showing the color, texture, flower, and variation of even a relatively simple plant palette.

The client also asked for a additional image, showing the character of the roof, to illuminate what level of vegetation building inhabitants could expect. The goal was to represent the spaces in a way to avoid incorrect expectations – with visions of large trees and shrubs, or significant roof terraces. Using a simple photo overlay (in this case, the 3rd Level area) gives a simple snapshot of the expected project outcome.

Stay tuned, as the project should be completed by the end of October – and we can compare the vision to reality. We are excited to be kicking off another ecoroof project up at OHSU as well.

Category : ecoroofs, environmental, graphics, heathcare, images, landscape, planting, portland, projects, roof gardens, sustainability, vegitecture

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PDX Greenmap (Beta Version)

More OHSU Ecoroofs

BES Ecoroof Contract Supports Minority & Women-Owned Business

Contract gives Portland minority, women firms eco-roof work

Construction: OHSU CDRC Ecoroof

Understanding Regional Ecoroof Irrigation

‘Extreme’ Ecoroof Aerials

The Ecoroof Tipping Point

Vegitecture Visualizations 3

Low Impact Development Tour

OHSU CDRC Rooftop Greening

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