“View From the Top” Exhibit Has Attendees Seeing Green”
SKOKIE, IL., February 2005 — Tecta America Corp., the nation’s largest commercial roofing contractor, will exhibit a simulated green roof garden in participation with the first-ever Building & Design Exchange to be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, February 16 –17, 2005.
As part of the show’s focus on ‘green building’ practices, the “View From the Top” exhibit will simulate Tecta America’s proprietary TectaGreen™ extensive and intensive green roof systems. A green roof is a plant-filled roof-top garden that offers an attractive and energy-saving alternative to a conventional rooftop.
“Green roofs can save millions of dollars in energy consumption, improve air quality and reduce green house gas emissions. We’re committed to making green roofs an important part of our future commercial roofing efforts,” said Tecta spokesperson Mark Gaulin.
The TectaGreen™ living rooftop incorporates a specially-engineered system of layers to protect roof membranes from extreme temperature fluctuations and ultraviolet radiation. TectaGreen™ can double the life span of conventional roofs while providing energy savings by reducing heating and cooling costs. TectaGreen™ conforms to the rigorous Green Building Rating System standards, qualifies for LEED certification for tax benefits, and improves site utilization by reducing the impervious surface area of a building to increase potential square footage for construction.
Since sedum is the primary type of plant used in most green roofs, Tecta’s “View From the Top” green roof will incorporate more than 1,000 sedum plants, in over 1/2 dozen different varieties. After the show, some of the plants will be donated to the Wicker Park Garden Club and the remainder will be donated to Greencorps Chicago, a program of the Chicago Department of Environment. Greencorps will distribute these plants to community gardens and Chicago Public Schools in keeping with Mayor Richard Daley's commitment to making Chicago 'the most environmentally-friendly city in the United States.'
Ed Snodgrass, owner and president of Green Roof Plants, as well as fifth generation nurseryman specializing in plants for green roofs, will be onsite at the Tecta booth to answer questions during the show. Snodgrass, an internationally-recognized speaker on the topic of green roofs will also present an overview of green roof systems at a lecture on February 16, at 3:45 p.m.
“We’re excited to be participating in the Building & Design Expo. By replicating the TectaGreen system in a simulated setting, many people at the show will be able to see first-hand what a green roof can look like, and how it might be able to work for their future building plans. We’re also happy to be working with the city to make sure that the plants used for the exhibit, will ultimately be used by community groups and schools. After all, sustainability is what the whole show is about,” said Jamie Hoffman, Tecta America Marketing Manager.
