Green roofs and walls are gaining popularity for several reasons. They are super efficient at insulating a home. They also minimize our ecological footprint by retaining and filtering water before it reaches our rivers and streams. In this course, we will explore intensive and extensive green roof and green wall systems. We will discuss various planning strategies including water retention and native habitat preservation. We will cover the theoretical and technical considerations of green roofs and walls while gaining the hands-on experience of actually building them. Through evening lectures and discussions, we will examine layer buildup, drainage solutions, characteristics of growing medium, and plant palette selection. We will also introduce case studies from around the world to demonstrate the many ways green roofs and walls have been used, from small scale residential projects to large scale commercial buildings. During the days, we will perform several installations. All Levels.

49 Learning Units

Available for college credit through the University of Vermont—CDAE95/ENVS95/PSS95 (2 credits). (Tuition $1050).

Certificate in Sustainable Building and Design