The Garland Co. Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, has been awarded the Green Roof Award of Excellence in the category of extensive institutional roofing by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. The winning roof design provides a long-term waterproofing solution, with a beautiful vegetative surface, for the Environmental Studies Building at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash.

The project comprises 13 separate green roof areas totaling 24,000 square feet. The extensive green roofing uses Garland lightweight soil at depths from 4 to 6 inches. Its 33 distinct species of plants include low-growing ground covers, such as sedums, as well as a variety of perennial flowering plants. In keeping with the college's environmentally responsible mission, all trees and shrubs that were cleared to construct the new Environmental Studies Building were transplanted to other areas of the campus.

In addition to its energy-savings benefits, the Garland GreenShield® vegetative roof system is helping the university to effectively manage stormwater run-off. The 24,000 square feet of green roofing has reduced the university's retention-pond requirements. LEED® GOLD certification is currently pending for the college's Environmental Studies Building.