Evaluating the Feasibility of Implementing a Green Roof Retrofit on Pitched Residential Roofs

Green roofs are one solution to stormwater runoff which is a major environmental problem. However, the majority of green roofs are primarily implemented on flat roofed commercial buildings and not residential homes with sloped roofs. Team SO GREEN designed a light-weight green roof system retrofit for residential homes. Between June and November 2014, green roof performance data was collected and compared between the designed sloped roofs and a non-sloped control. The sloped design performed well and one test slope was improved with a recirculating irrigation system. An economic analysis was made and a focus group determined preliminary consumer interest, aesthetic preferences, and barriers. This study enriches the body of knowledge regarding bringing green roof systems to the residential home market.

An Ecological Analysis of the Potential for Moss-Based Green Roof Design

Green roofs are a maturing application of best management practices for controlling urban stormwater runoff. The majority of green roofs are planted with drought resistant, higher plant species, such as the genus Sedum. However, other plant varieties, such as mosses, may be equally applicable. Residential roofs and natural terrestrial communities were sampled in both Maryland and Tennessee to determine moss community structure and species water composition. This served as a natural analog for potential green roof moss communities. During sampling, 21 species of moss were identified throughout the 37 total sites. The average percent moss cover and water composition across all roof sites was 40.7% and 38.6%, respectively and across all natural sites, 76.7% and 47.7%, respectively. Additional maximum water holding capacity procedures were completed on sedum and 19 of the 21 sampled moss species to assess their individual potential for stormwater absorption. Sedum species on average held 166% of their biomass in water, while moss species held 732%. The results of this study are used as a basis to propose moss species that will improve green roof performance.

A Summary of Archaeological Excavations from 1983-1986 at the Green Family Print Shop, 18AP29, Annapolis, Maryland

18AP29, the Green Family Printshop, also known as the Jonas Green site, was excavated from 1983 to 1986 by Archaeology in Annapolis and Historic Annapolis Foundation. The site is not only the home of a significant figure in colonial Maryland but is also the location of one of the first colonial printing operations in Maryland. This site represents an important pre-industrial business in Annapolis. While this domestic site is complicated and rich, one of the most fascinating aspect of 18AP29 is the discovery of a large quantity of printers' type. Extensive analysis of the printers' type and documentary research on one of the print shop's products, the colonial newspaper, the Maryland Gazette, provides insights into the print culture which was developing during the 18th and 19th centuries. This report summarizes the stratigraphic analysis, minimum vessel counts, and faunal analysis. It provides some description of the printers' type.