Award

M A R C H 2 0 2 2 | 29 Green Roofs & Walls systems and provide broader applicability, LiveRoof launched RoofBlue Detain earlier this year. Each LiveRoof module is placed on an individual riser that will hold excess water until the plants can use it through the integrated wick. The compartmentalization of the water detention system below the modules allows the system to be used successfully on a range of sloped roofs, while still effectively detaining stormwater and allowing plant water use. While other challenges came along such as plant shortages and logistic dis- ruption, the team at GSky Plant Systems, Inc. persevered and in 2022 have twice as many jobs booked as the year prior. "What saved us was how we went about distribution. We have built great relationships with key dealers around the world and honestly, without that we would not have survived," says Hal Thorne, chairman and CEO. GSky has been involved in a wide range of impressive projects of late, includ- ing the installation of the GSky Versa Wall at the College of the Canadian Rockies that won numerous awards and The Shops At Morgan Crossing in B.C. that features the Versa Wall XT. While Gsky's technology is very advanced, the team continues to look at ways in which green walls can be integrated into everyday spaces, and as such recently introduced the Mobile Versa Wall. "With the need for social distancing, we came up with an idea for a portable unit that furniture companies can integrate in their office planning. We also have a lot of interest from big tech companies for this product," says Thorne. The Mobile Versa Wall is a self-contained mobile green living wall that includes lights, irrigation, and a smart controller, which means you only need to plug it in and a smart controller does the rest. Available in both double and single-sided planting options, it is perfect for offices, restaurants, hotels, confer- ence space, or anywhere spatial adjustment is required. One interesting development being seen in the green roof sector is an increase in inquiries from the single-family residential sector in Toronto. Karen Liu, green roof specialist at Next Level Stormwater Management explains why this is important: "This is exciting to see as this market isn't required to install green roofs as they fall outside of the Toronto Green Standard bylaw, but they want to do it as they recognize the many benefits." In the commercial realm, lightweight systems continue to be popular as they are easier to install and maintain, but this year Liu says she is seeing an uptick in interest in stormwater detention, in addition to retention systems. One such system is the innovative StormCap+Detention system buildup that combines water retention element (top) and detention element (bottom) into one powerful rooftop stormwater management tool. The friction detention mat slows down the runoff and regulates the outflow rate during heavy rainfall events, which helps prevent flash floods and combined sewer overflows in our cities. The retained water is then taken up by the plants and returned to the atmosphere to complete the natural hydrological cycle. Another driver of the green roof market comes from the government level, as Liu explains: "Last year the City of Toronto released Version 4 of its Toronto Green Standard, which will come into effect in May 2022. The new requirements include intensive green roof and biodiverse green roof to support pollinator species as options." Version 4 addresses resilience through enhanced green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff, reduce urban heat island impacts and promote biodiversity (including more extensive and higher performance green roofs), bio- swales, rain gardens, native pollinator species plantings, and a new requirement for "green streets" (roads or streets that incorporate green infrastructure). However, over on the West Coast, demand for green roofs still remains somewhat low, despite having suffered some major weather events in 2021, but Liu and the team are determined to raise awareness of its benefits. "Not only do green roofs play a critical role in helping cities cope with extreme rainfall events in this age of climate change, but when it comes to extreme heatwaves, green roofs help reduce the heat entering into the buildings and are a very sustainable option compared to air conditioners. On a public level, green roofs cover heat absorbing surfaces and replace them with vegetation and help reduce the urban heat island effect in the city," she says. Last year Award reported that the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC) and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) began a collabora- tive venture to develop training curricula for green roof installers, maintenance professionals, and independent observers for B.C. The training program concept was developed to build capacity for the green roofing industry, ensure success for future green roofing, and support RCABC's successful RoofStar Guarantee Program. Despite the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, a working commit- tee of RCABC, GRHC, and volunteer industry representatives from across North America has nearly completed curriculum development, which will be piloted in May 2022 at RCABC facilities in Langley, B.C. ESTABLISHED 1964 • BONDED PROFESSIONALS CERAMIC TILE, MARBLE, GRANITE AND TERRAZZO CONTRACTOR PHONE 604-254-9864 www.startilevancouver.ca ✪ info@startile.ca 2121 E. HASTINGS, VANCOUVER, B.C. Celebrating over 55 years of craftsmanship Star Tile.indd 1 2019-03-22 10:07

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