Quite a few campus buildings have integrated vegetation into smaller roof sections or ground-level courtyards to increase opportunities for stormwater mitigation.
ANSYS Hall
Year Built: 2019
Ansys Hall has a small patio with seating that includes a vegetated area. The roof was originally planted with Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis) and other ornamental grasses mixed with Sedum.
The patio is accessed through the Mervis Conference Room in the Belonging Center located on the A Level and is open to visit when the Mervis Conference Room is available. All spaces are ADA accessible via elevator or ramps from the adjacent building, Porter Hall.
Photo courtesy of Alexander Johnson, 2025
Baker Hall
Year Built: 2018
Baker Hall was renovated to add the Adamson Wing in 2018. By expanding the building’s underground footprint, space was created above allowing for a green roof garden. Disguised at ground level, the green space outside of Baker Hall functions as a green roof for a below-ground portion of the building. The “roof” features landscaped areas, a brick walking path, and skylights where one can peer into the study space below.
Photo courtesy of Alexander Johnson, 2025
Forbes Beeler Hall
Year Built: 2023
This residence hall features a green roof above the first floor main lobby entrance roof. With a resident ID card, students can take the elevator to the second floor and view the wrap-around roof from the lounge.
Scott Hall
Year Built: 2016
The lawn area between Hamerschalg, Scott, and Wean Halls is all part of a vegetated courtyard. This green roof covers Scott Hall’s Bertucci Nanotechnology Lab. Approximately half of Scott Hall’s total roof area is a vegetated green roof, planted with lawn and native species that do not require irrigation. The green roof courtyard was designed to extend the Mall, creating new walkways and connections on campus.
Warner Plaza
Year Renovated: 2019
The Warner Plaza green roof is planted between Warner Hall and Cyert Hall, and despite its location on the ground level, it is located above the basement level that connects the two buildings. Combining seasonal plants and rock features, Warner Plaza is a lovely and quick detour during CMU commutes.