The Biodiversity of This New York Coastal Cottage
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The biodiversity of plant species. Photo: New York Green Roofs
Category: Small Scale Residential
Project: Coastal Cottage
Location: South Shore, Eastern Long Island
Award Winner: New York Green Roofs
Landscape Architect: Hollander Design
Architect: Jon F. Edelbaum AIA
General Contractor: Ben Krupinski Builder
Mason: M.O.E. Masonry, Inc
Media Design: Stancills Inc
“The Coastal Cottage is located on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York, adjacent to a large pond that opens up to the Atlantic Ocean. Valued for its natural beauty and biodiversity, the pond is a coastal resource of national and state-wide significance. The green roof atop the first story of this residence is pollinator friendly, helps keep the fish and wildlife in the adjacent waterways protected and, with careful management, helps the area potato farmers harvest their crops. Luckily for the owners it is also a gorgeous amenity space.”
A drawing of the overall design of the project. Photo: New York Green Roofs
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An aerial shot of the cottage. Photo: New York Green Roofs
The wide diversity of plant species supports lots of pollinators and allows for a four season aesthetic. Photo: New York Green Roofs
The residence sits adjacent to a 180 acre pond next to the Atlantic Ocean. Valued for its natural beauty and biodiversity, the pond is recognized as a significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat by both the US Fish and Wildlife and the New York State Department of State. The green roof helps maintain the quality of stormwater run-off into the pond. The pond is fed by groundwater, a swamp to the north, and stormwater. If the water level is allowed to rise above a certain point in the pond, basements of surrounding homes begin to flood. When the water table is too high, the potato farms in the area do not dry out when they should, preventing farmers from harvesting their crops. Media depths of up to 12" (at max allowable depth for the roof load) help retain and delay stormwater run-off.
The aesthetics of this design stay true to the very ornamental nature of the area's sweeping estates while creating a visual dialogue with adjacent water bodies. Inspired by the coastal inlet location of the property, naturalized grasses such as the ones found on the edges of the pond and oceanic water bodies have been incorporated into the plant palette. One can also feel how the soft curves of the planting beds and the boardwalk echo the shorelines in the distance. The roof has over 30 different species of plants, many of which are native to New York, pollinator friendly, and provide forage for insects and birds. Hardy perennials were carefully chosen not only for their horticultural hardiness given the coastal rooftop site conditions, but also for their sequential flowering and multi-seasonal interest, creating year-round, reliable floral displays without a heavy emphasis on rotating seasonal installations. Rather than completely separating the space from its surroundings, the suburban-inspired design and the type and position of the plants allow for a spectacular view of the surrounding natural landscape. The design and execution of this project made provisions to ensure that the built ecosystem would exist as an extension and a complement to the ecosystem of the nearby pond as well as the Atlantic Ocean. The diverse perennial plant palette provides forage for insects and birds in the area.
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“New York Green Roofs worked hand in hand with the landscape architect and architect to specify green roof components and methodologies and laid out a cutting edge irrigation system to help detail the larger picture design.”
Black-eyed susans on display at the Coastal Cottage. Photo: New York Green Roofs
A beautiful walk along the roof, where you can see over 30 different species of plants. Photo: New York Green Roofs
The plant palette of the green roof is composed of a varied tapestry of colors and textures that is pleasing to the eyes and soothing to the mind. A serpentine, meandering boardwalk integrated into the green roof composition reinforces the gentle curves and undulations of the planting beds while mimicking the rivers and estuaries of the coastline on which the property sits. A raised seating area provides a location for the residents to lose themselves in the sights and sounds of the richly-created environment while providing a foreground for the incredible views of the adjacent pond. Grasses, and flowering perennials ameliorate air quality on the roof and take up carbon that no doubt blows over from the nearby NYC.
Engineered growing media for this project was sourced on the East Coast, 150 miles south of the installer's headquarters. The project was completed toward the beginning of the Covid outbreak in the United States and the New York metropolitan area got hit first, fast. All construction was halted for several months by the governor of New York State. Once the ban was lifted, the installer gave equitable consideration to all employees who wanted to work, with special emphasis to those city-dwelling team members. The installer was seriously committed to the health and safety of their employees working in the pandemic, following state guidelines and putting out a comprehensive protocol including company provided PPE, sanitation, and safe transportation. In doing so they were able to get this job done for the client, while providing employees with much needed connections to the natural world in hopes to combat negative impacts the virus was having on their mental well being.
Green roof maintenance activities are provided on a monthly basis March - November and include activities such as pruning and deadheading to keep the garden looking tidy. Green roof-specific services include inspections of the drains, keeping non-vegetated zones clean and clear of plants and debris, and checking the system to ensure that the green roof is operating properly and efficiently. Organic fertilizing generally occurs after the soil is tested for nutrient contact and applied only if needed (and specific to the analysis results).
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“The aesthetics of this design stay true to the very ornamental nature of the area’s sweeping estates while creating a visual dialogue with adjacent water bodies. Inspired by the location of this coastal inlet property, naturalized grasses such as the ones found on the edges of the pond and oceanic water bodies have been incorporated into the plant palette. One can also feel how the soft curves of the planting beds and the boardwalk echo the shorelines in the distance.”
A list of plants used on the green roof. Photo: New York Green Roofs
New York Green Roofs is a full service green roofing firm, we provide consultation, design assistance, project management, installation and maintenance services.
GRHC Award of Excellence Winners push the boundaries of sustainable building. Designers expertly integrate nature into projects and bring their unique sense of style. See into the mind of designers as they share inspiration, design tips, and how to create spaces that truly benefit the communities they are in.
