A Rooted Roof By Marnie Jackson As I approached the Commons building on a recent morning, one thing stood out . . . the vibrancy of the living porch roof, still thick and green even under a coating of fresh snow. The sedum mix has been growing in place on the roof since it was installed during an Autumn 2021 workshop, and seems to be thriving despite this cold snap. Fulfilling its promise to add beauty, mitigate runoff, and support pollinator habitat, the living roof is a great addition to our new gathering space. Living roof installation took place during a daylong October 2021 workshop with a volunteer crew from Floyd|Snider, coordinated by Layni Wachter from Floyd|Snider and Marta Mulholland from Whidbey Institute and led by architect Matthew Swett and landscape designer Sarah Birger of Taproot Architects. We received additional support from board member and super-volunteer Tucker Stevens, Commons construction project manager. We also owe our gratitude to the contractors and suppliers who helped ensure timely delivery and preparation of living roof materials. Well over a dozen people lent a hand, which made the work go swiftly and joyfully. With a hardy plant blend selected by Sarah and purchased in pre-assembled trays from Greenfeathers, the roof went on quickly. The bulk of the work was done in just one day, and the result is a dynamic carpet of greenery that changes with the seasons and demonstrates that buildings and ecology can be symbiotic. “Part of the value of the Commons is in education,” Matthew said. “Throughout the project, we’ve tried to make decisions that are worth applying elsewhere.” To read more and see photos from the project, visit www.whidbeyinstitute.org/a-rooted-roof.
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