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M A R C H 2 0 2 2 | 27 P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y GS K Y V ER SA WA L L ; L I V ERO O F O N TA R I O Green Roofs & Walls Could green roofs and walls hold the key to tackling future extreme weather events? by NATALIE BRUCKNER I nterest in the green roof and wall market has grown significantly over the past year. The green roof market alone is projected to reach $4.25 billion (USD) by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 16.16 percent from 2021 to 2028. The reasons are numerous, but as the experts at Nedlaw explain, as we enter a post-COVID world, architects, developers, consultants, and engineers alike are seriously looking for innovative ways to make the global built environment more sustainable, healthy, and habitable for occupants. Known for its innovative outlook, last year Nedlaw announced it will be installing a 400-square-foot fully integrated and fully automated U V-Biofiltered HVAC System biofilter, fed by a state-of-the-art rainwater collection at the new Nedlaw HQ located in Breslau, Ontario. In collaboration with professional engineers, University of Guelph Ph.D. scientists, contractors, and consultants, team Nedlaw designed two fully auto- mated, "U V-Biofiltered" Air Systems: One system is integral to building HVAC; and a smaller one functions in parallel to showcase the hybrid and standalone bio-filtration technology. "The hypothesis is that these systems, which couple U V-C pathogen remediation technology with our biofilter's VOC removal capabilities will yield the freshest and cleanest indoor air on the planet," says Adam Holder, U V-Biofiltered HVAC system project manager and head of sales and business development at Nedlaw Living Walls. Once the system has been installed, it will be commissioned and connected to multiple sensors within an elaborate automated control that will relay real time accurate data to a user-friendly dashboard. Of course, recent years have brought along some unexpected challenges, but many in the industry were able to overcome the bumps in the road. LiveRoof Ontario Inc., for example, was very forward-thinking in sourcing all of its supplies from North America and therefore avoided supply chain and cost issues. Material costs however have been a challenge, as Kees Govers, technical sales manager explains: "The cost of aluminum and plastics have increased significantly and while we have tried to absorb some of those costs, we have had to increase the pricing on some materials." Demand in spite of this continues to grow, and Govers says this is a result of an unprecedented building boom in Toronto and an interest being seen in the greater GTA area. In fact, as of January, LiveRoof has as many jobs booked as they did in April 2021. One change Govers is seeing is increasing interest in plants other than sedums – and with 200 plants on their list, LiveRoof has more than enough to choose from. "This interest is partially driven by the City of Toronto wanting biodiversity, but also by developers who are wanting something different from the same-old, same-old sedum look," he says. One LiveRoof project that showcases this is 3300 Bloor Street West in Toronto, which is a combination of shaded and full sun areas, and has a deeper growing media layer of six-inches that offers more options for plants. Another project is Waterworks in Toronto, a new condo development by MOD Developments Inc. and Woodcliffe Landmark Properties. The Arbour at George Brown College and SickKids new paediatric hospital are also great examples of current projects requesting this mixed planting approach. Interest in rooftop stormwater management of course continues and, in that regard, LiveRoof just completed the Kipling Transit Hub's bus terminal with the largest Blue-Green Roof in the GTA. It is a modular Sedum roof which is both a retention and detention system. To meet the anticipated demand for such SIGN OF THE TIMES College of the Canadian Rockies, Cranbrook, B.C. Kipling Transit Hub, Toronto, ON

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