Prairie soddies or living roofs: It’s all a good thing

It often seems that when we innovate we actually go back into history instead of forward into the future.

And, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but it suggests that we might do well to give more thought to all the potential ramifications before we leap into new ways of doing things.

Otherwise, we’ll continue to take two steps forward and a few back instead of moving smoothly and efficiently forward.

Take living roofs, for example.

I watched in fascination last summer as workers carefully put native alpine plants into the soil they’d spread over the roof of the new Vancouver Convention centre in Coal Harbour, not unlike the soddies built with grass roofs on the prairies in the early part of the last century.

Sure, it was a scientifically-blended mix of elements, not just prairie dirt.

And the plants were specifically chosen for their ability to withstand extreme conditions of both sun and rain because of the rooftop exposure, not just prairie grasses.

And there were several layers engineered particularly to prevent damage to the roof underneath from the plants growing above.

But, the effect is similar. Both protect those inside from both extremes of heat and cold; keep the inhabitants dry and reduce the concrete and asphalt (unnatural) footprint of the building on the earth it sits on.

In the case of the prairie soddy, however, it was a cheap way to build, using materials at hand, while in the case of the Vancouver Convention Centre, I’m certain it was more expensive—but far more green—than a conventional roof.

In the case of the convention centre, it’s a six-acre island of natural green in what is essentially a sea of concrete, glass and asphalt; Canada’s largest green roof.

While living roofs are not new, they are undergoing a revival as builders finally are forced to turn their sights toward more environmentally-friendly methods of construction.

And, already we have some local examples of living roofs from which to draw inspiration, including the Discovery Bay project downtown and even a new carriage house in the lower Mission, where an environmentally-committed couple have spent the extra to follow through on their beliefs.

Keith and Kelly Robinson had a ZinCo engineered green roof system installed on their new home instead of just covering the earth with another building; replacing what was lost under the building with a living roof.

Keith said he hoped it mimicked the Okanagan hillsides, with bunchgrass and a variety of sedums, which will bloom and provide colour as well as green through the seasons.

Mind you, it won’t be visible to anyone but the birds and those in buildings higher than theirs, but they know it’s there, replacing some of the natural environment lost when the building went in.

That means more oxygen in the atmosphere, more habitat for insects and birds, less runoff into storm sewers, waterways and the lake, and less reliance on heating and air conditioning in the home below.

There are other sorts of green roofs, where people grow vegetables and flowers and plant their bodies to enjoy a little sun—and they’re valuable too.

They have another dimension: that of the peace and inner contentment they can provide as green oases to soothe the soul of man.

We may be going backward in time, but it’s a good thing. I hope it continues.

Judie Steeves writes about outdoors issues for the Capital News.

jsteeves@kelownacapnews.com

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