Within Howlett Hall you can find multiple offices, labs and classrooms, but the roof is home to 7,000 perennial plants with winding accessible paths. The Green Roof was established in 2013 and is the first of its kind on The Ohio State University's Columbus Campus. This 12,000-square-foot expanse is open to the public for tours throughout the week or as a quiet spot to enjoy a retreat from the hustle and bustle of midwest campus life.
So what exactly is a green roof? Simply put, a green roof is a living, breathing vegetated cover over a built structure. There are two main classifications when discussing green roofs: extensive and intensive. The differentiation is primarily in the depth of the growing media. Extensive green roofs are lighter weight and typically less expensive, but have limitations in planting design. Intensive green roofs are heavier and therefore suitable for structures with a strong load-bearing capacity. The depth of growing media on an intensive green roof ranges from 6–18 inches and therefore offers a broader palette for design and plant selection, but it costs more than an extensive roof. Howlett's green roof is an extensive roof.
Learn more about Howlett's green roof.