LiveRoof® Green Roof Unites New Biosciences Building to CMU’s Human, Environmental Health Research
Mount Pleasant, MI (PRWEB) July 25, 2016 -- A 6700 square foot LiveRoof® green roof is being installed on the new Biosciences Building at Central Michigan University, July 22-26. The green roof provides a natural complement to the groundbreaking human and environmental health research conducted by CMU faculty and students. The building is scheduled to be completed in September and classes in the facility will start in January 2017.
The 170,000 square foot Biosciences Building will host a plethora of science labs, a 112-person capacity active learning classroom, numerous student study, collaboration and meeting spaces, and offices. The research conducted in the Biosciences Building will allow the university to continue to establish itself as a leader in human and environmental health. The $95 million Biosciences Building is the largest capital project in CMU's history. The State of Michigan allocated $30 million for the project, with the remaining funds coming from CMU internal reserves, contributions and proceeds from the issuance of bonds.
"The Biosciences Building interior features abundant daylight, natural wood paneling and other sustainable materials connect this building to its mission and work,” says Steve Lawrence, associate vice president for facilities management at CMU. “The LiveRoof green roof and accompanying LiveWall, located inside the building, provide students and staff access to plants, natural views and daylight.”
LiveRoof is a patented, subterranean modular system that unites soil and plants creating a beautiful, meadow-like aesthetic. The installation delivers a fully-grown carpet of custom-mix, draught-tolerant sedums providing four seasons of color and function. These green roofs provide numerous, significant environmental benefits:
Reduces stormwater runoff by 50 – 90 percent
Lowers interior sound levels by as much as 40 decibels
Improves air filtration; one square foot of green roof can filter seven ounces of dust and smog per year. Plant photosynthesis also reduces greenhouse gases in the air
Increases roof life; soil and plants provide a protective barrier, along with a waterproof roof lining, to extend roof life by as much as 200-300 percent.
“Central Michigan University is delivering a preeminent design in the new Biosciences Building,” according to John Aleck of LiveRoof LLC. “This building is designed to support innovative research in bright, breathable laboratories. Providing faculty and students with an open, flexible work-study space will undoubtedly propel these programs to new levels while achieving sustainability stewardship.”
Green roof owners can also expect to mitigate the urban heat island effect, while reaping energy conservation value, and gaining habitable space when including patios, walkways and seating in the rooftop garden design.
A planted roof also provides financial benefits including: energy conservation and conservation of municipal septic systems. Green builders and remodelers can expect between 10–19 percent higher return on investment, as much as 10 percent increased building value, while enjoyed a marked reduction (up to 14 percent) in building operating costs. (2)
(1) Terrapin Bright Green LLC. “The Economics of Biophilia – Why designing with nature in mind makes financial sense” TerrapinBrightGreen.com. http://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/report/economics-of-biophilia/ (retrieved February 2016)
(2) Bernstein, Harvey M. “Green Outlook 2001: Green Trends Driving Growth through 2015” EcoCosm.com. http://www.ecocosminc.com/img/2011_McGraw_Hill_Green_Outlook.pdf (retrieved February 2016)
MEDIA ALERT: LiveRoof Representative John Aleck invites members of the media to meet him on the Bioscience Building on Monday July 25, 2016. Call John at 616-502-8914 to schedule a visit. View the green roof as its being installed and learn more about the benefits of a living roof. ***VIDEO & PHOTO OPPORTUNITY***
About LiveRoof® Global, LLC
LiveRoof® Global, LLC (http://www.liveroof.com) is the leading horticultural science company in the green roof industry. LiveRoof’s natural function and natural beauty offer the highest level of green roof performance with ultra-low maintenance costs. Exceptional in design, function and endurance, the patented LiveRoof® Hybrid Green Roof System establishes a healthy, sustainable ecosystem that covers the rooftop with seamless, verdant vegetation. LiveRoof and its network of industry leading licensed green roof growers test and develop plants and soils designed to thrive in native climates and grow them in an environmentally responsible manner. LiveRoof has successfully installed over 2000 projects featuring more than five million square feet of green roofs in North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond. LiveRoof®. Natural Function. Natural Beauty.
Media Contact:
Mike Haynes
Marketing and Sales Facilitator
LiveRoof Global, LLC
616-935-1974
http://www.liveroof.com
About Central Michigan University
Established in 1892, Central Michigan University is among the nation’s 100 largest public universities with more than 20,000 students on its Mount Pleasant campus and another 7,000 enrolled online and at more than 40 locations across North America. CMU offers more than 200 academic programs at the undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral levels.
Media Contact:
Mackenzie J. Kastl
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Central Michigan University
989-774-3272
Mike Haynes, LiveRoof Global LLC, http://www.liveroof.com, +1 (616) 935-1974, [email protected]
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