Going for the green

by Bob Antrobus
Virginia Business
September 2005

At SunTrust Bank in Richmond, there’s green not only in the vault, but on the roof as well. The bank is constructing a “green roof” at its mid-Atlantic headquarters in downtown Richmond, that will be the largest living roof in Virginia.

To encourage the environmentally friendly roof, The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay awarded a $28,000 challenge grant to SunTrust Bank for the 11,000-square-foot project, which will cover the bank’s public cafeteria. Green roofs are planted with low-growing, drought tolerant plants that absorb and filter storm water.

The alliance sponsored the challenge as a way to encourage the use of green roofs as a low-impact development technique in the Central Virginia area of the Bay watershed. SunTrust was selected from among six applicants. The bank will provide the rest of the funds for the roof, estimated to cost more than $100,000. “I’m always looking for innovative new ways to improve our buildings while acting as an environmentally responsible corporate citizen,” says Kevin Kolda, group vice president of facilities management for SunTrust Bank, Mid-Atlantic.

Unlike traditional roofs — which have impervious surfaces similar to roads and sidewalks — living rooftops can reduce peak stormwater runoff. At the same time, these roof ecosystems filter out some pollutants before the water runs into local streams and rivers. They also cool surrounding air, improve air quality and provide urban habitats for birds and butterflies. Green roofs are estimated to last up to twice as long as a traditional roof, saving building owners money. The public can tour the roof on Sept. 13-15. The only caveat: don’t crush the plants.