This design, developed for the roof of 217 Park Row in the heart of NYC’s Chinatown, uniquely employed the Chinese character for water as reference to the capacity for green roofs to detain and manage stormwater runoff.

 

This symbol was proposed to be planted with a variety of red-toned sedums and sized to be clearly visible from neighboring buildings whose windows look upon the green roof. The symbol was also carefully located so as to avoid the many roof penetrations and utility systems that would have cluttered its legibility. A series of planted sedum bands serve as the backdrop to the symbol, suggesting waves of water that transition from blue to blue-green to green to green-yellow, and finally to yellow plants.

 

Working with Greensulate, a green roof design and installation company based in NYC and LA, Alison Duncan Design developed schematic rendered plans followed by construction documents for this 7000 SF extensive green roof. This project was initiated as part of the DEP Green Infrastructure Grant Program in 2012.