SKYLAND USA, LLC – rooflite^® Announces Launch of www.techosvegetales.com

Skyland USA is pleased to announce the launch of the new Spanish version or the rooflite^® certified growing media website at www.techosvegetales.com.

Avondale, PA – January 24, 2012 – Skyland USA LLC has announced the launch of its new Spanish-language website, appealing to the growing number of customers within Latin America as well as other parts of the Spanish speaking world.

The new Spanish-Language site, www.techosvegetales.com, closely mirrors the English-language site providing access to all of the technical documentation and typical product properties in the user’s native language. Keeping the same, easy to use navigation, users can read about sustainability using rooflite in green roof applications and learn about LEED^® credits that are available. The new website also offers an online RFQ and RFI contact form.

 “As our customer base continues to grow, we realize that it is critical to be able to disseminate and make available information about our products throughout the Spanish speaking world”, stated Joe DiNorscia, Skyland’s president. “We are very excited about our long term commitments to the growing markets in Latin America.”

In addition to the site’s comprehensive portfolio of rooflite projects, Skyland has also developed a Spanish-Language version of The rooflite^® Advantage which has been designed to provide an educational insight to the sustainability of green roofs, our position on sustainability and the advantages of rooflite products in green building practices.

About Skyland USA

Skyland’s rooflite^® certified green roof media products have been installed in over 600 projects and 5 Million square feet of thriving green roofs across the North American continent with a track record unmatched. For more information on rooflite^® products, please contact info@rooflitesoil.com

Grow On Us™: rooflitesoil.com | techosvegetales.com | rooflite.com.mx

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David Seiter, Principal at Future Green, provided the beautiful pictures of the blooming roof, and the description below.

360 Smith

This green roof sits atop a new residential building in the heart of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, blocks away from Gowanus Canal. Built-in cedar screens and planters delineate seating, dining, lounging, and play areas. The unique 360 degree view of the Manhattan skyline and of downtown Brooklyn offers a dramatic backdrop for this extensive green roof which functions not only as a place of repose and relaxation but also serves the vital role of stormwater retention – an key component for any urban roof site.

The green is roof is 6700 sf.  The rooflite depth is 3.5 inches for most areas.  We used the optigreen drainage profile from Conservation Technology and installed Sempergreen green roof sedum mats.

 The plants in the planters are a mixture of drought tolerant grasses and perennials and include the following:

Lavender ‘Munstead’

Nepeta ‘Walkers Low’

Pennisetum ‘Little bunny’

Stipa tenuissima

Fescue ‘Suberba’

The planting strips are low mounds with a soil depth of 5-6inches and are planted with Sedum hispanicum var. minus & Fescue ‘Elijah’s Blue’

What a stunning project – visual interest in all seasons.  Well planned, and well executed by Future Green.  Created a beneficial space for all residents of the building.  When we visited the project in November (more photos HERE), the superintendent remarked on how easy his maintenance has been, and a party crew was there to set up tiki torches and equipment for a resident’s event.  Add that to the list of green roof benefits – happy management & happy residents.

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To contact David Seiter visit FutureGreenStudio.com  |  For more information on the rooflite products that this wonderful project grows on, please visit rooflitesoil.com.

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“Two years ago, I started the Brooklyn Grange, a rooftop farm with a great group.  We intensively grow vegetables on a 1-acre soil-covered rooftop, and sell them to local restaurants and farmer’s markets around New York.  We also have bees, chickens, kids, and we launched an educational non-profit this year.  It’s a busy place.

Recently, the farm was chosen as one of twelve finalists in the BBC World Challenge, a competition that rewards folks who are turning niche sustainability concepts into business models.  It’s an impressive group of 12 finalists who were selected for the challenge, and we are the only rep from the US, so we are very proud to be in the runnings.  After the votes are tallied, the top 3 all receive cash prizes, which would be really helpful as we’re preparing to start a 2nd location next spring.”

Click on THIS LINK to vote!

BBC’s Despcription of the Project:

Sometime in the last decade humanity became a predominantly urban species, with over half the global population living in cities. As cities grow and the climate changes, a new generation of farmers is looking at the potential of built-up areas to supplement the local food supply and create more sustainable communities. Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm is at the forefront of urban agriculture in the United States. Operated by four young entrepreneurs on an acre of rooftop in Queens, New York, the farm grows organic produce that is sold to local restaurants, co-ops and farmers markets across New York City. Business is growing quickly, with a second location opening in the Spring of 2012 and booming demand for rooftop vegetables, herbs and honey. To educate urban dwellers about the food systems upon which they rely, the farm hosts regular educational tours, workshops and field trips for schools and community groups.

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To find out more about the lightweight engineered soil used to grow all the goods of the farm, visit rooflitesoil.com

Good luck Ben!

]]> http://rooflite.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/bbc-worl-challenge-brooklyn-grange/feed/ 0 rooflite Brooklyn Grange - Skyline View http://rooflite.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/rooflite_supports_bk_grange/ http://rooflite.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/rooflite_supports_bk_grange/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:52 +0000 rooflite soil http://rooflite.wordpress.com/?p=249 ]]>   Brooklyn Grange Wins 2011 Green Roof Award of Excellence

rooflite® Growing Media Supports Innovator in Rooftop Urban Agriculture

New York City, NY – Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is pleased to announce that Brooklyn Grange is a winner of the 2011 Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence.   Jeffrey L. Bruce, Chairman of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, announced the winners in the lead-up to CitiesAlive: 9th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference (November 30 to December 3, 2011) in Philadelphia, PA. http://www.citiesalive.org

“Since 2003, the Awards of Excellence have defined the leading edge of innovation for living architecture,” said Mr. Bruce. “The class of 2011 demonstrates the universal acceptance of green roofs and walls as an important green infrastructure tool in North America with dozens of multi-faceted, highly visible projects. With an exceptionally competitive program, this year’s winners should be proud of their accomplishments in challenging the boundaries of the industry.”

Project Description: Brooklyn Grange – New York, NY

A Sky-Level Answer to the Issue of Food Security and Education

Brooklyn Grange is a pioneer in rooftop agriculture. The 40,000 square foot commercial farm is located on the rooftop of a six-story building in the dense urban environment of Queens, New York. “This project bursts the limits of established green roofing” says Peter Philippi rooflite’s Technical Director. The project integrates traditional intensive green roof design with organic agriculture and permaculture principles to create a commercially viable urban farm.  In its first abbreviated growing season the farm raised 13,000 lbs of produce, a number that will be topped in 2011. In its second season (year) of full production, the farm is producing dozens of varieties of vegetables and herbs and is selling the output to local restaurants and direct to the public through farmers markets and CSA (community supported agriculture) shares. This local distribution reduces fossil fuel consumption due to transportation.

The green roof uses 8 inches of rooflite® intensive growth media and is designed to use minimal resources. The growth media’s excellent water holding capacity allows for less frequent crop irrigation while biodegradables collected from the local community for Brooklyn Grange’s compost program help maintain fertility.

“The farm has entered into uncharted territory in the urban agriculture movement by achieving a scale never before seen in an urban rooftop farm application” says Anastasia Cole-Plakias, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Brooklyn Grange. This hybrid green roof / farming project has generated global interest and has proven the feasibility of commercial rooftop farming in the urban environment.

 However, it is not only the food production and the size of this green roof that make it extraordinary. The farm also participates in community outreach programs by providing tours and volunteer opportunities to local residents, schools, community groups and other community members who otherwise would not have an opportunity to experience farming. A chicken coop was recently installed and a small flock of Rhode Island Red hens lay eggs and call the roof their home. Four beehives were also added in 2011, and have successfully produced a batch of spring honey. As Brooklyn Grange continues to evolve, it will further cement itself as a successful link between the green roof and urban agriculture communities.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Steven Peck, President and Founder, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities – speck@greenroofs.org or 416-971-4494 ex.233.

Peter Philippi, VP/Technical Director of Skyland USA, Creators of rooflite® – pphilippi at rooflitesoil.com

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is presenting CitiesAlive: 9th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference, in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). This event will feature leading-edge designs, new technical performance research, policy research, professional training and tours from November 30-December 3, 2011. See www.citiesalive.org for agenda details, media passes and registration information.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) is a membership-based industry association developing the green (vegetative) roof and wall industry in North America. GRHC’s mission is to increase the awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of green roofs and green walls, and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development and celebrations of excellence. Visit www.greenroofs.org for more information.

Project: Brooklyn Grange, Queens, NY, 40,000 square foot green roof

Award Recipient: Brooklyn Grange (Owner and Manager)

Architect: Bromley Caldari

Soil and Media Supplier: Rooflite

CFO: Bushwick Food Cooperative

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For more photos of the Brooklyn Grange; please visit the rooflitesoil.com Project Gallery.  Congratulations to Ben Flanner and his team on their industry honor!

“El Cuartel de Ballajá was constructed by the Spanish army between 1854 and 1864. The structure is one of the most impressive constructed by Spain in the New World and it stands as the last example of monumental military architecture by the Spanish Monarchy in the Americas. Today, the Ballajá Barracks houses several educational and cultural organizations, namely the Museo de Las Américas.

Designed by the Architect Edmundo Colon with the help of GRP David Aponte, the green roof was part of several “green intervention” projects done to the Cuartel de Ballajá, including a 151.2 KW PV system with 720 solar panels. The project was built using a 60 mil PVC waterproofing system (Durolast), a 16 oz. protective mat, 2″ of rooflite drain w/ drain channels, filter fabric, 4″ average of rooflite growing medium and 60,000 plants that vary from plugs to 6″ pots. The green roof also has greenwalls and an artificial wetland to manage higher roof storm water amounts, which is used on a needed basis as the supplemental irrigation system.”

A few additional pictures of this very unique tropical installation can be found in the rooflitesoil.com Project Gallery.  Take note of the striking water feature; not a common ‘green roof’ accent – but with appropriate waterproofing it becomes a very appealing feature.

Congratulations to David Aponte and PRGD for having their successful installation selected as greenroofs.com Project of the Week.

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For more information on the lightweight engineered soil products used on this project, and to find a manufacturer near you, please visit rooflitesoil.com

Mr. Peter Philippi, Vice President & Technical Director, Skyland USA

Philadelphia, PA – November, 2010 – SKYLAND USA is proud to announce the hiring of Peter M. Philippi to the position of Vice President / Technical Director. Peter joins SKYLAND with over 25 years experience as green roof professional, landscape architect and environmental engineer.

Peter started a design/build company specializing in green roof technology in 1983 when he resided in Germany, the homeland of green roof development. His work included trend-setting innovations and outstanding projects which have been recognized internationally. Peter has been working in the United States since 2004. He eagerly promoted green roofs in the United States and was involved in several green roof pilot projects across the country which leveled the way for many subsequent green roof installations.

Peter’s expertise in engineered growing media for green roof applications is based on long term experience in green roof design, specification, construction and maintenance. The growing medium may be only one of many key factors for the success of a green roof, but as Peter points out, it is the most crucial one. If the growing medium fails plants cannot thrive.

Peter had a part in developing the German FLL Green Roofing Guidelines which are considered to be the acknowledged state of the art guidelines for green roof construction worldwide and strongly participated in the transfer of green roof related technology and know-how to the US.

In his new role Peter will be responsible for the further development of SKYLAND’s line of rooflite® certified green roof media products, the expansion of SKYLAND’s international network of licensed rooflite blenders, and SKYLAND’s stringent quality assurance program. Peter can be reached at pphilippi@skylandusa.us

Grow On Us™: www.rooflite.us

SKYLAND USA is North America’s number one supplier of certified green roof media. With  over 60 acres of thriving green roofs across the continent, rooflite® has a track record unmatched. For more information on rooflite® products, please contact info@skylandusa.us or visit www.rooflite.us.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – July 21^st, 2010 – Landscapers Pride of New Waverly, Texas joined Skyland USA’s rooflite® Authorized Blender Network™. Landscapers Pride, a Texas owned and operated manufacturer of organic composts, soil mixes, and mulch products, is now licensed to manufacture and sell rooflite® certified green roof growth media. Skyland USA are the creators of rooflite, North America’s #1 vegetated roof growing media.

In order to service a growing demand for certified, quality, light weight growing media in the South Central United States, the need for rooflite production in Texas was clear. “First and foremost, we sought out a regional manufacturer of quality bulk materials, and Landscapers Pride is second to none in Texas” said to Joe DiNorscia, Managing Director of Skyland USA.  “The ability to supply eco-roof projects in all of the largest metro areas in Texas from one central, quality controlled production location is an additional benefit Landscapers Pride brings to the team as an rooflite Authorized Blender.”

Vegetating roofs in Texas is not a new idea. In 2005, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at UT Austin started a long term, multiple module research project with many goals; including researching which native flora would work best in the unique climate of the South Central US. This ongoing project has influenced public and private projects across the state. The Botanical Institute of Texas will feature a large vegetated roof upon completion later this year, as will the Johnson Space Center in Houston. From Lubbock to Laredo, more and more Texas roofs are becoming green.

Landscapers Pride has all of the resources required to handle the unique nature of fulfilling green roof growth media orders. “We have a fleet of live floor trailers and flatbeds, in addition to outside freight capacity. We’re well equipped for any project, big or small, and packaging is a strength at Landscapers Pride” said Brad Volker, Plant Manager. Whether rooflite is required in loose loads, crane strapped super sacks, or palletized in small bags – Landscapers Pride is up to the task. Current operations have the facility bagging over 30 different products in different sized packaging, in addition to standard bulk and custom soil products. Added Volker, “We’re very pleased the rooflite Blender Network is growing bigger in Texas.”

Rooflite certified green roof media is now available at Landscapers Pride in Texas and in 12 more locations in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. To learn more about rooflite Certified Green Roof Media visit the website.

Grow On Us™: www.rooflite.us