Sophia Academy Roof Garden

Academic Partner: School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation

Community Partner: Sophia Academy

Fall 2013 The Roger Williams University Community Partnerships Center

The Roger Williams University (RWU) Commu- • Graphic Design CPC Project Disclaimer: The reader shall pressed or implied, regarding the deliverables nity Partnerships Center (CPC) provides project- • Historic Preservation understand the following in regards to this project provided pursuant to this Agreement and the based assistance to non-profit organizations, gov- • History report: quality thereof, and Sponsor should not rely ernment agencies and low- and moderate-income • Justice Studies on the assistance as constituting professional communities in Rhode Island and Southeastern • Law 1. The Project is being undertaken in the public advice. RWU, the CPC, the faculty mentor, Massachusetts. Our mission is to undertake and • Marketing and Communications interest. and the students involved are not covered by complete projects that will benefit the local com- • Political Science professional liability insurance. munity while providing RWU students with ex- • Psychology 2. The deliverables generated hereunder are in- perience in real-world projects that deepen their • Public Administration tended to provide conceptual information 4. Neither RWU, the CPC, the faculty mentor, academic experiences. • Public Relations only to assist design and planning and such nor the students involved assume respon- • Sustainable Studies are not intended, nor should they be used, for sibility or liability for the deliverables pro- CPC projects draw upon the skills and experience • Visual Arts and Digital Media construction or other project implementa- vided hereunder or for any subsequent use of students and faculty from RWU programs in • Writing Studies tion. Furthermore, professional and/or other by sponsor or other party and Sponsor agrees areas such as: services may be needed to ultimately imple- to indemnify and hold harmless RWU, the Community partnerships broaden and deepen the ment the desired goals of the public in owner- Center, the Faculty Mentor, and the Center’s • American Studies academic experiences of RWU students by allow- ship of the project served. student against any and all claims arising out • Architecture and Urban Design ing them to work on real-world projects, through of Sponsor’s utilization, sale, or transfer of de- • Business curriculum-based and service-learning opportuni- 3. The parties understand, agree and acknowl- liverables provided under this Agreement. • Community Development ties collaborating with non-profit and community edge that the deliverables being provided • Education leaders as they seek to achieve their missions. The hereunder are being performed by students • Engineering and Construction Management services provided by the CPC would normally not who are not licensed and/or otherwise certi- Community Partnerships Center • Environmental Science and Sustainability be available to these organizations due to their fied as professionals. Neither RWU nor the Roger Williams University • Finance cost and/or diverse needs. CPC makes any warranties or guarantees ex- One Old Ferry Road Bristol, RI 02809 [email protected] http://cpc.rwu.edu

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 2 Table of Contents

Introduction...... 4

Process...... 5

History...... 6

Site Context...... 7

Green Roof Study...... 9

Green Roof Precedents...... 12

Design Options...... 14

Proposed roof garden perspective. Design by Leslie Hulbert.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 3 Introduction

In October 2012, Sophia Academy purchased In the spring of 2013, Sophia Academy applied Diagram of city views from a former City School building that will be the to the Community Partnerships Center at Roger the future rooftop garden. school’s first permanent home. Currently located Williams University for support in creating poten- Sketch by Chelsea Weibust. at the former St. Edward’s Grammar School on tial designs for the rooftop garden. Students en- Branch Avenue in Providence, the new building rolled in ARCH 413 — Advanced Architectural (located on Elmwood Avenue) would allow for Design Studio — in the fall of 2013 were tasked the school to invest in a rooftop garden — some- with creating potential design options for the thing that was once part of the structure. rooftop garden at the new Sophia Academy site. Students looked at possible programmatic uses for The addition of a roof garden to the new site would the roof garden and explored potential material- give Sophia Academy science faculty members the ity and vegetation options for the site. Students opportunity to provide hands-on learning experi- visited other green roofs and roof gardens in the ences for the students. The garden would serve as Providence area as part of the precedent analysis a backdrop to the top-floor meeting area, which for this project. looks out onto the roof. Additionally, the rooftop garden would serve as a living and vibrant tribute The work included in this book showcases the re- to Sophia Academy’s Founder, Mary Reilly, RSM. sults of a semester’s worth of work for the students in the design studio.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 4 Process 2 During the fall of 2013, landscape architect Gin- The desired goal for the project was for the staff na Johnson, ASLA, Principal at Esker Company at Sophia Academy to have a vision of what the Landscape Architecture in Lexington, MA, served transformed roof space could look like on the site as the faculty mentor for students in the Advanced and a program for how the space could be utilized. Architectural Studio, which studied the principles This vision would allow the leaders of Sophia of landscape architecture. As part of one project Academy to seek the appropriate funds needed to during the studio, students worked on designing transform the roof space. an engaging roof garden for the new Sophia Acad- emy building. Students were tasked with develop- ing possible programmatic uses of the green roof for students and staff, maximizing the services the 1 green roof could provide.

At the beginning of the process, students were asked to conduct an analysis of the building, which once had a green roof as part of its structure, and the surrounding community to help 1. Proposed roof parapet detail. Sketch by inform their design. Students gained inspiration Cassidhe Griffiths. for their designs from site visits conducted locally at the Granoff Center at Brown University, the 2. A sample green roof. Peerless Building and the Save The Bay Education Center. Students studied various types of green roofs and planting systems that could be used on the site in order to inform their designs.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 5 2 History 1

“Sophia Academy is a school of abundant opportu- 1. Founder Sister Mary nity where middle-school girls discover and develop Reilly in front of Sophia their potential and become confident and compas- Academy at its Branch Avenue location. sionate young women prepared to meet the challenges of their world.” 2. A symbolic “ground • All-girls middle school (5th-8th grade). breaking” ceremony held at the new Elmwood • Founded in 2001 by Sister Mary Reilly. Avenue location. • Fosters intellectual, moral, cultural and social 3. Students of Sophia growth for its students. Academy. • Its 60 students are city residents (specifically those facing economic inequities). 3 4 4. The Sophia Academy logo in the floor of the • School is supported through private dona- new building. tions, corporate and foundation grants and special events. • Annual tuition is $12,500.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 6 1 Site Context 2 1. Aerial view of the new building. Current Location: 979 Branch Ave, Providence, RI (leasing building) 2. Google Map image of the Elmwood Avenue New Location: location. 582 Elmwood Ave, Providence RI (move in 2014) 3. Front of the new school, a two-story, masonry New building: structure, which was • Originally built as a branch of Industrial built in 1948 as a bank. National Bank in 1948. • Used as a high school and by a construction company as an office. • Size: 14,000 square feet. • Site size: 28,000 square feet. • Two-story building (and basement) masonry 3 building.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 7 1 2

Renderings of new building and site. Adaptive reuse project by Durkee Brown Architects.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 8 2

1. Diagram of basic green roof requirements: Green Roof Study Image source: www.barr architects.net/landscape

Environmental Benefits 2. Green roof HYDROPACK® field in Batavia, NY. • Use of roof area as additional space. Image source: “Green • Improves rainwater management. Roof Design Guide” from • Improves thermal performance. Vegetal i.D. • Reduces sound transmission through roof. • Visually attractive with a variety of plants and foliage. • Low maintanence (extensive and brown roofs). • Little to no artificial irrigation. • Habitat for wildlife. • Reduces environmental impact of the building within its surrounding.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 9 2

Types of Green Roofs • Plantings are naturalistic and self-sustaining. • Sedums or hardy wildflower mixtures. • Habitat for native flora and fauna. 1. Example of an intensive Intensive Roofs roof. • Similar management as ground-level gardens. Brown Roofs 2. Types of green roofs. • Can accommodate virtually any type of plant • Same benefits and construction methods as Image source: www.barr including grass, moss, shrubs and trees. architects.net/landscape intensive/extensive. • Require artificial irrigation, higher nutrient application and focused maintenance. • Encourage plant and wildlife biodiversity. 3. Example of a brown roof. Image source: • Soil depth ranges from 8”- 30” or more. • Utilize local soil and spoil. dustygedge.co.uk • Has greatest impact on structural design. • Recycled building rubble and materials (usu- ally 40% or more). • Weighs 35-100 pounds per square foot (dry). • Range of low-fertility substrate (rubble, sand, • Must pay close attention to waterproofing and rotting timber. etc.). roof barrier details. • Plants tend to establish themselves over a period of time. 1 Extensive Roofs • Low management requirements. 3 1 • Cheap to install and maintain. • Generally made up of a thin layer of soil or other planting medium with shallow-root plants such as sedums, small grasses, herbs and flowers. • Soil depth ranges from 2” - 5”. • Weighs 10-25 pounds per square foot (dry). • Tray systems are a viable option. • Do not require artificial irrigation.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 10 2

Green Roof Systems

1 2 tray system

1. Chart comparing tray systems to built-up systems.

2. Diagrams of green roof systems. Image source: archtoolbox.com

built-up system

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 11 Green Roof Precedents

Granoff Center, Brown University 2 Peerless Building 5

Providence, Rhode Island Providence, Rhode Island 1-3. Building exterior and Project Year: 2011 Project Year: 2005 self-sustaining rooftop garden of the Granoff Building Type: education, visual arts center Building Type: mixed use, residential Center. This roof is not Architect: Diller, Scrofido + Renfro Durkee Brown Viveiros Werenfels Architects accessible to the Green Roof System: Apex Green Roof public. 4 4-5. Building exterior and 1 3 rooftop garden of the Peerless Building. This roof is accessible for use by residents.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 12 Save The Bay 2 Wheeler School 4 Providence, Rhode Island Providence, Rhode Island 1-2. Semi-intensive exterior Project Year: 2004 Project Year: 2009 rooftop garden of the Building Type: education Building Type: education, visual arts center Save The Bay Center. Croxton Collaborative Architects Ann Beha Architects This roof is not Green Roof System: Sika Sarnafil, Inc. accessible to the public. 3 3-4. Building exterior and 1 tray system rooftop garden at the Wheeler School. This roof is not accessible to the public.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 13 2 Design Options

Ryan Bonassar 1-2. Models of proposed rooftop garden containing vegetable Concept: Gardening and flower plants. Geometric pathways divide the roof into smaller garden zones. Plants include both vegetables and flowers. Includes pergola and seating.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 14 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 15 Design Options 2

Paul Clark 1. Section.

Concept: Quiet Space 2. Perspective with rooftop view of the Organic pathway branches off to create multiple Providence skyline. intimate gathering zones. Zones have custom steel benches that focus attention inward. Includes pergola, custom railing and addition of windows.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 16 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 17 1 Design Options Robert Clarke 2

Concept: Interaction with Skylights 1. Detail of skylight.

Skylight addition to roof creates change in eleva- 2. Perspective. tions and improves light in rooms below. Stone pathway leads up to higher sections of roof. In- 3. Section. cludes gathering space, stone furniture and green space.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 18 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 19 Design Options Lisa Fasciglione

Concept: Feminine Flower 1. Section. As a girls’ school, a feminine feel is emphasized through flower petal-shaped decking and plants 2. Axonometric of the 2 of many colors. Includes gathering spaces, privacy proposed flower petal screen trellis and an outdoor classroom. design.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 20 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 21 Design Options April Gaddis

1. Perspective. Concept: Hide and Reveal Geometric pathways of teak decking contrast with 2. Section. plants in organic patterns. Green wall screens and wooden elements create privacy and shading. 2 Includes seating and gathering spaces.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 22 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 23 Design Options

Cassidhe Griffiths 1. Slope detail.

Concept: Natural vs. Built 2 2. Section.

Geometric design with wood and stone pathways 3. Perspective. that lead in straight lines. Half of the garden is manicured while half naturally thrives. Includes benches along the pathway for seating.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 24 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 25 2 Design Options Leslie Hulbert

1. Section. Concept: The Bay Taking inspiration from the water around Rhode 2. Perspective. Island, washed wood decking appears as water with the surrounding plants as the shore. Includes pergola, gathering spaces and vegetable garden.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 26 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 27 Design Options Chelsea Weibust

Concept: Urban Nest 2 1. Sketch of log-like bench. Design based off imagery of eggs in a birds nest. Includes outdoor classroom, gathering spaces and 2. Axonometric custom log benches. Crushed concrete “brown facing south. roof” occupies a large portion of the rooftop.

Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 28 Sophia Academy Roof Garden | 29 Roger Williams University One Old Ferry Road Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 [email protected] http://cpc.rwu.edu