Landscape Architects

Sustainable technologies such as green roofs can help expand your portfolio and increase your scope of work. Using green roofs as a stormwater management tool, in particular, adds a lot of value to the landscape architect’s role as it brings you to the table sooner, since the civil design is carried out so early in the project’s life. In addition, your green roof designs become an essential component of the stormwater management strategy, that cannot be simply taken out of the design if the project goes over budget.

A successful green roof requires a multidisciplinary approach with collaboration between different parties.​ The first thing we see on a green roof are the plants and beautiful landscape design – the creative work of the landscape architect. If we look deeper, we see the architect has carefully designed the roof to support the added load and waterproof it properly. Even deeper, we see the civil and mechanical engineers work incorporating the green roof into the overall site stormwater management & energy calculations. Last but not least, the owner has been in the driver’s seat expressing their goal for the green roof and if it meets the local bylaw or municipal requirements.

NLSM advises on system build-up and provides information on plant selection, pollinator design strategy, how to meet irrigation requirements, as well as how to manage canopy and shading. NLSM is expert in the Toronto Green Standard v4 (TGSv4) and offers several green roof system options to meet design intent.

NLSM’s green roof expert Dr. Karen Liu, and design ambassador Sasha Aguilera present free, live educational webinars to industry colleagues. Proof of attendance is issued for Continuing Education Hours (CE), Professional Development Hours (PDH), Continued Professional Development hours (CPD), Structured Learning Hours and Learning Units (LU). Please see the current webinar offerings below and register free.