SYNTHe: An Urban Rooftop Garden Prototype in Los Angeles

[bridgit]

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/02/09/synthe-green-roof-by-alexis-rochas/

[cliffordu]

1. I like it.

[dgibby]

2. Impressive!

I hope it catches on soon. Thanks for posting.

[wtmusic]

3. Los Angeles began water rationing on June 1st

and any edible plants up there are going to burn up without a LOT of water. IMO green rooftops are nowhere near as practical in LA as in wetter locales.

Looks pretty, though.

[bridgit]

4. For survivability gauzy or retractable shade systems are best, what you're looking at here...

in these retro-fit-able planting systems is just that: the system that supports the soil-based components of the process and the ways in which it is affixed to an existing structure - I do understand people's negative points of reference to change, and think as well that that is why such resolutions have not been incorporated any sooner

To me they do not "look pretty", to me they appear utilitarian. Plant life would suffer no more sun stroke than sitting in a sun drenched field waiting for someone to open a cross channel head-gate

[wtmusic]

5. I welcome change...when it's warranted and practical

but when I see terraces sculptured in sweeping (expensive) Gehry-esque curves when straight lines would be more efficient; when no one will see those beautiful curves except those who live/work in other buildings nearby and those who go to the architect's homepage; when the water has to be pumped up x stories into the air, and plants must be inefficiently maintained one-by-one instead of en masse in a "sun-drenched" field - I see more of an architect's ego on display than any particular insight or skill.

Terraced farming has been used for millenia, but never in deserts. There's a reason for that.

[bridgit]

7. Part of why terraced farming has been used for millenia has less to do with sun streeses...

on leaf systems than it does grabbing gravity fed water sources as they transit space available considerations


I think you have responded to the "sweeping" aspect as expensive because it's design impact is ultimately elegant. And that appeals to the level of architects reviewing these systems for their projects. The 'curving' is also a way to cover more ground so as to suggest, and enhance soil volumes of space restricted areas - in spite of being called 'a water planet', much of where humans lived was already arid till the ancients began to direct the flow of water: aqueducts, channels, cisterns, etc

In California's wine country, in that it isn't all occurring at the valley's floor; much water is "pumped up x stories" into the air as it is and delivered back down through drip

Not sure if you are familiar with NYC, but I have been on some high rises where you really don't have to try that much at all and you'd be able to live your whole life without going out the front door with barbers, tennis courts, swimming pools, gardens, green groceries, baby sitters and all the rest right there

As a simple matter, if you're able to contribute to a site's ability to provide for itself it is a win/win proposition be that on an urban roof or in a community garden between burned out buildings in raised beds enhancing space-available

[wtmusic]

8. Good points.

A valid idea in principle and in time we'll see what's practical and what's not.

[bridgit]

9. Agreed

[kestrel91316]

6. Lovely idea, but in the San Fernando Valley, land of regular summer

temps of 115F+, it would get a FAIL. Westside, yep, great idea.