College of Architecture and Planning University of Colorado Denver

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Environmental awareness has progressed from a hidden agenda to a realization across
multiple societies all over the world. With the onslaught of hybrid technology and alternate
fuel sources, it is becoming abundantly clear that other measures must be taken to insure
the longevity of a balanced environment.  The landscape architecture department at
UC Denver has a vision that includes being at the forefront in researching, promoting and
developing greener technologies to create better and more self sustained future urban
ecologies. This project will act as a precedent to other projects for green roof research in
arid climates, The project location is set for the fourth floor patio, 3rd floor annex building
roof, and the 2nd floor administration office roof.

Rendered Plan of 4th Floor Patio Green Roof

GOALS

1. To provide a beautiful, comfortable, and inviting break space for students that brings the natural environment closer to and inside the built environment.
2. To be a testing and demonstration ground for green roof plants, materials and structures
   specifically for both horizontal and vertical testing plots. Testing conditions that will vary are:
• plants
• soil types
• soil depths
• sun and shade conditions
• levels of irrigation
3. To create habitat for urban wildlife.
4. To promote green roof technology in Colorado.
5. To promote the University’s efforts to be at the forefront of sustainable technology.

DESIGN CONCEPT

1. ARCHITECTURE_INTERIOR CLASSROOM #470 & #480

The building acts as a closed system, but we want to change this by allowing flow. The hallway and adjoining classrooms act as the spaces allowing for this exchange of indoor ecology to outdoor ecology and visa versa.

2. TRANSITION SPACE 1_4TH FLOOR PATIO

The deck potentially acts as the first transition space between the indoor ecology to all outdoor systems. This transition starts physically and experientially from the 4th floor, but also visually from the 5th-8th floors.

3. TEST PLOTS_2ND + 3RD FLOOR ROOFS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND ANNEX BUILDINGS

The next few steps down will be extensive roof systems, primarily inaccessible. The test plots will simultaneously act as grounds for research of green roofs in arid climates.

4. TRANSITION SPACE 2_GROUND LEVEL PATIO

The final transition space is that of the ground level patio which is neither elevated deck nor  'natural’ ecology, but rather the space between the two.

5. CHERRY CREEK CORRIDOR

While the Cherry Creek corridor is hardly natural, its flowing connection to countless ecologies makes it the final threshhold of connection from architecture to landscape.