Rooftop Garden Wins Sustainability Award

By Sam Isaacs
University Public Affairs

The relaxing rooftop gardens of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Pollak Building received a statewide commendation at the Virginia Sustainable Building Network's 2012 Green Innovation Awards in June.

Jordan Starbuck, sustainability coordinator, nominated the project, which won Best Green Institutional Project-Special Commendation at the 17th annual awards ceremony.

“The vegetated roof is not only an aesthetically and environmentally pleasing space, it is a symbol of VCU’s commitment toward sustainability, our students’ growth and beyond,” Starbuck said.

The Monroe Park Campus green roof, constructed in the fall of 2011, offers visitors a tranquil setting in the midst of a green rooftop. The roof offers a variety of different gardens and foliage, one of which focuses on plants native to Virginia. All of the plants featured were chosen for their ability to thrive in harsh climates.

The Pollak Building gardens is VCU's second green roof; the first rests atop the Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences.

For additional information on the project, visit http://blog.vcu.edu/vcugoesgreen/2012/04/pollak-vegetated-roof.html.