Gates Center
The adjoining Gates Center for Computer Science and Hillman Center for Future Generation Technology feature four green roofs. The building’s unique design includes shifted sections that provide interesting site lines for the building users and also creates cantilevered overhangs. These areas provide opportunities for vegetated roofs.
There are examples of two green roof types on the Gates Hillman Centers. The roof visible from Pausch Bridge and the planted section of the sixth floor patio are both an intensive roof with substrate deep enough to support shrubs and trees. There are two tray system green roofs, one visible from the connecting bridge between Gates and Hillman and the other is over the roof of a southern section of the building.
Featured Flora: The roof over Gates fifth floor hosts Serviceberry trees (Amelandchier arborea) surrounded by creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) shrubs. Serviceberry is a preferred food source for wildlife, especially birds, and its delicious berries are also enjoyed by humans. The Creeping Juniper thrives in rocky, dry climates with direct sunlight, which makes it ideal for this sunny viewing garden.
Locations:
- Roof over Gates’ fifth floor: From the building’s main elevator, exit on the sixth floor, turn left then walk down the hallway until you reach a small seating area on the left. The roof is visible from these windows. It is also visible from the same location on the seventh floor.
- Gates’ sixth floor patio: From the building’s main elevator, exit on the sixth floor, turn left then walk down the hallway until you reach a large seating area on the right. The green roof is on the south side of the outside patio.
- Sixth floor bridge: From the building’s main elevator, exit on the sixth floor and walk straight ahead from the elevator. The vegetated roof lines the exterior of the bridge connecting Gates and Hillman Centers.
- Roof over the 7000 wing of the building: From the building’s main elevator, exit on the eighth floor, turn left then walk down the hallway to the southern end of the building. The green roof is visible from the windows in many of these offices.
Additionally, the patio and volleyball court accessed off the 3rd floor of the Gates Center is located above the Gates Garage. This means the vegetated areas are on the roof of the Garage.
Accessibility: Three of the green roofs are only accessible to be viewed via interior windows. The roof off the sixth floor patio can not be walked on, but it is adjacent to the exterior patio, which is accessible.
View of the tray system on the green roof running along the connecting bridge. Photo courtesy of Alexander Johnson, 2025.
Gates’ third floor exterior patio covers the underground garage. Photo courtesy of Alexander Johnson, 2025.