An abandoned site reimagined and reinvigorated.
The City of Columbia’s Water and Wastewater Management Facility sets an impressive standard of resilience for the future by repairing the past.
Overview
This LEED-certified Gold project is an example of adaptive reuse demonstrating how an abandoned brownfield site on the outskirts of downtown has been revitalized to positively impact and uplift the surrounding community.
The green roof is a biodiverse meadow in a sea of surrounding asphalt and big box stores. It’s the green jewel on the crown of this building, and it’s not just for looks. The rooftop meadow functions as infrastructure, mitigating stormwater and reducing urban heat.
Location: Columbia, SC
Completion Date: 2017
Size: 14,000 sqft
Services Provided: Design Studio, Construction, Care & Maintenance
Certifications: LEED Gold
Awards: AIA South Atlantic Region Merit Award for Adaptive Reuse
Green Roof System: Roofmeadow
Irrigation: Hunter
Owner: City of Columbia
Architect: Watson Tate Savory
General Contractor: Contract Construction, Inc.
Roofing Contractor: Aqua Seal Manufacturing & Roofing, Inc.
What’s in the build?
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Our services in action
Construction x
City Water
Early Planning for Long-term Success
The construction team coordinated and installed a dual media system, irrigation system, and plant material on this fully vegetated green roof. Planting was a combination of plugging and overseeding. Additionally, a grass pave system was installed along the perimeter to ballast a permanent wind netting to secure materials, as wind events are unpredictable along the roof edge. Before the team arrived on site, we prepped seed stratification, mobilization plans, and construction sequencing. The pre-construction strategizing and planning are worth it every time.
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Design Studio x
City Water
Designed for Cost and Biodiversity
Keeping costs down and boosting biodiversity were key factors in the planting approach and design. A combination of overseeding and plugging allowed for design flexibility and higher plant coverage to maximize cooling and stormwater benefits without increasing costs. The design studio then selected and elegantly combined plants with different growth characteristics and habits to amplify color, habitat, and food and nectar sources for native pollinator species.
Care & Maintenance x
City Water
Caring for All Seasons
The experienced Care & Maintenance team keeps the systems working and looking great. From seasonal plant cut back to irrigation modifications, routine visits are critical to this fully vegetated roof's long-term success and performance.
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