Barclays Center rolls out its new green roof

Last year, we wrote about the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/brooklyns-barclays-center-to-sprout-a-giant-green-roof/">Barclays Center's plans to sprout a green roof</a>, and now we're happy to report that the verdant project is finally coming to fruition. <a href="http://www.forestcity.net/offices/new_york/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Forest City Ratner</a> teamed up with Shanghai-based <a href="http://www.ldjt.com.cn/gle_2_1.htm" target="_blank">Greenland Group Company</a> to begin rolling out the 135,000-square-foot planted roof atop the popular Brooklyn sports and entertainment venue. The green roof will serve two special purposes, both capturing stormwater and dampening some of the sound escaping from the structure during games and concerts. The <a href="http://blog.archpaper.com/2015/05/video-exclusive-tour-barclays-centers-construction-green-roof/">Architect's Newspaper</a> was kind enough to share their <a href="https://vimeo.com/128175007">exclusive video tour of the new roof</a> with Inhabitat. Hit the jump to check it out.

A green roof was part of the original vision for the <a href="http://www.shoparc.com/" target="_blank">SHoP Architects</a>-designed <a href="http://www.barclayscenter.com/" target="_blank">Barclays Center</a>, but the idea ran into a bit of a snag when it was discovered that the structure's roof trusses were not strong enough to hold the additional weight of a planted roof. The building was still able to achieve <a href="http://www.barclayscenter.com/news/detail/barclays-center-achieves-leed-silver-certification" target="_blank">LEED Silver certification</a> thanks to a host of other sustainable features and practices, but FCRC never quite got over their dream of a verdant topper.

"Our original design for the arena had anticipated a green roof as part of our effort to achieve Silver LEED certification,” said MaryAnne Gilmartin, FCRC President and CEO. “While we independently reached that goal, we always hoped to still create a green roof, further improving the environmental footprint of the arena and also making a more direct connection to the sedum covered transit entrance on the plaza. Thanks to Greenland, which shares our commitment to sustainable development, we now have the resources to make this dream a reality.”

Because of the arena's unique sloped design, passersby will be able to see the green roof's progress from the street. The planted roof will not be accessible to the public, but it will mitigate stormwater runoff, provide natural sound-dampening and add a pop of color to the neighborhood as originally planned.

Barclays Center

Barclays Center