Alongside the striking slate roofs and stoic gargoyles that adorn the tops of campus buildings, vegetative “green” roofs have gained considerable acreage across the University’s skyline. This summer, Rockne Hall became the newest building to sport a green roof system.
Overseen by the Facilities Design and Operations team, vegetative roofs are just one aspect of Notre Dame’s long-term commitments toward developing a more sustainable built environment. They host numerous benefits that add longevity to a building’s roof over a traditional membrane roof, including protection from UV, thermal shock, and standard weathering. The layer of soil and vegetation aids in insulating buildings, which saves money and energy from heating and cooling efforts. Living roofs are also helpful in diverting stormwater runoff by collecting rainwater in the soil to help prevent flooding events. Local fauna also reap rewards from the vegetation by securing additional food sources through the varied mix of blooms that crop up throughout the growing season. Within the built urban environment, heat island effects can cause a marked increase in ambient temperatures, up to 7°F, from sunlight hitting impervious surfaces like buildings. Green roofs are able to absorb some of the sun’s hot rays and reduce heat island effects.
Notre Dame’s first green roof was constructed in 2009 atop the Morris Inn. Since then, seven more buildings have been fitted with green roofs—including Rockne— for a total of nearly 155,000 square feet of green roof. Today, the Joyce Center remains the largest green roof in Indiana at 68,900 square feet.
Interested in learning more about Notre Dame’s sustainability initiatives? Check out Notre Dame’s carbon neutrality timeline.
Originally published by at green.nd.edu on December 09, 2024.