A Green Roof Takes Root in Chinatown

Map It:  Gallery Pl-Chinatown 

IN THE PAST YEAR, the District has gained two environmentally friendly buildings worth a visit if you ever get a chance: the House of Sweden on the Georgetown waterfront and the Swiss Ambassador's Residence in Woodley Park. (We've profiled the structures, here and here.)

Now, in Chinatown, we have a green building that's more homegrown, so to speak. This morning, the American Society of Landscape Architects showed off its new green roof atop its building in the 600 block of I Street NW during a private gathering. Such green roofs are gaining popularity, but their numbers are still few.

When the grass-roof-topped Swiss Ambassador's Residence was under construction, architect Steven Holl said that its eco-friendly design was in part a diplomatic statement: "We are proud," The New York Times quoted Holl as saying, "to make a green building in the heart of oil country."

The American Society of Landscape Architects lacks that Swiss passive aggressiveness — they just want to show off their cool roof and demonstrate its environmental utility. Not only does it boast reduced storm-water runoff, pollution and energy costs, it also apparently makes a dent in the urban heat island effect.

Since you can't see the roof from the street, you can arrange a tour if you want to check it out. Call Jim Lapides at 202-216-2371 or e-mail him here.

Photos courtesy the American Society of Landscape Architects