Hamerschlag Hall
In 2002 a group of students had an idea to install a vegetated roof on an old deteriorating roof space on campus. This was before much was known about the benefits of green roofs, but this group of students worked with CMU faculty to start an undergraduate research project. The project aimed to serve as a proof of concept for the feasibility of green roofs on campus while studying its benefits, specifically for stormwater management.
When the Hammerschlag Hall green roof was first installed, it featured a state of the art green roof system. The students who initiated the project were also involved in the design and planting. The roof was to be aesthetically pleasing, provide environmental benefits, but also serve as a living lab.
The roof was originally equipped with monitoring equipment that students used to research and study the benefits of green roofs. These are a few examples of the work that came out of that research:
- Hamerschlag Hall Green Roof Storm Water Retention and Runoff Reduction Performance [pdf]
- Manual for Evaluating the Thermal Performance of the Hamerschlag Hall Green Roof [pdf]
The project was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Energy Harvest Program and the 3 Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program. A portion of the plants were sourced from and helped facilitate the design process.
Featured Flora: Sedum species were planted as durable and hardy ground cover. Perennial plants included Carthusian pink (Dianthus carthusianorum), Mouse-ear hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella), Tunic flower (Petrorhagia saxifraga), and Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum).
Location: South wing roof of Hamerschlag Hall
Accessibility: The roof is not open to walk on. You can walk up to the edge of the end closest to The Mall, but this is only accessible via the entry steps of the building. There isn’t a ramp.
Student poster detailing the design project for the Hamerschlag green roof.