The Robertson Building

In June 2004, a 4,000 square foot, extensive green roof was installed over one half of the Robertson roof. The green roof, designed and installed by Gardens in the Sky, is supported by approximately six inches of organic, light-weight planting media with over ten species of Ontario native perennials planted into this special soil. These vibrant meadow flowers have thrived over the past growing seasons, despite the at times harsh weather they encounter in this elevated ecosystem, and provide a gorgeous addition to the urban landscape that can be viewed from the glass atrium and deck that completes this rooftop area.

Before the green roof was planted, a user-friendly common space needed
to be created to allow tenants and visitors to enjoy the roof garden. An
opening was created from the fifth floor and a new metal staircase was installed. Next, a solid wooden viewing deck was constructed to provide a platform for further construction and development in particular, for a spectacular glass atrium that surrounded the new staircase and elevator.

The Robertson atrium is 400 square feet of glassed-in space that affords a world-class view of the Toronto city skyline, including the distinct Ontario College of Art and Design table-top building. Similarly, it provides tenants with a unique destination to catch a breath of fresh air, have lunch, meetings, or explore other forms of creativity. Most assuredly, the Robertson roof provides proximity to an amazing proliferation of biodiversity in both plant and animals like bees, butterflies, and birds.

The atrium and viewing deck are also full to bursting with a number of
outdoor plants that provide added colour and more direct interaction.

The Robertson green roof was designed using a blend of existing green
roof technology and plant design techniques. The planting media is BioMix from Landsource Organix and is comprised of composted organic substrates. The selection of plants and plating were done by a
green roof and perennial expert from Toronto. To date, no green roof in
Toronto had been designed with biodiversity as its principal planning
priority and as a result, the Robertson roof has become a poster green roof for the City of Toronto and their ongoing commitment to a greener
city.

The extensive green roof provides several other important environmental benefits to the Robertson Building including; a micro-climate to assist in lowering urban heat island effect (higher temperatures associated with hard, black surfaces); the retention of storm water during rain events reducing peak flow runoff volumes from the building and combined sewer overflows into Lake Ontario; reduction of air pollutants; protecting the roof from harsh temperature changes providing longevity; a reduction in energy demand for cooling the building; noise reduction for the tenants under the green roof; foodstuffs for birds, insects, and other plant species; and, increased property value and tenure of tenants in the building.

For more information about the green roof installation including a planting diagram download our Roof Garden Poster 
 

Environmental benefits associated with green roofs for Toronto
Green roofs provide a myriad of environmental and social benefits to residents of urban settings including:

v increased amenity space for urban residents

v space for urban food production

v increased space for species conservation

v promotion of biodiversity

v improved quality of life

v increased longevity of roof membranes

v noise reduction in city buildings

v increase in property values

v air contaminant mitigation

v reduction in urban heat island effect

v peak energy savings