I'm pursuing the credit with the 50% of vegetated roof but the landscape architect considered almos 1500 sq ft. of gravel and rocks for corridors, without this 1500 sq. ft. I can't achieve the 7400 sq. ft total area of vegetated roof. I want to keep the corridors for users, but I need to know if mulching can be taken into consideration to fullfill this remaining sq. footage needed to accomplish the credit. Rocks and gravel are natural and I can't prove the SRI of this materials, what do you suggest?
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Mara Baum
Partner, Architecture & SustainabilityDIALOG
674 thumbs up
March 21, 2013 - 10:43 am
The reason that vegetated roofs are valued so highly in this credit is that the plants' ability to absorb heat and undergo evapotranspiration improves the urban heat island effect. Rock and gravel, while "natural", are not living and do not perform the same function. The roof overall would need to comply with the weighted vegetated / SRI calculation -- but if you get most of the way there with a green roof, you may need very little cool roof. Keep in mind that you can eliminate area for appurtenances and mechanical equipment from the calculation.