Some green roofs can be far simpler to create than traditional roof gardens. Volunteers from Cook + Fox installed the New York City architectural firm’s roof themselves using Green Paks. The polyethylene bags, marketed by St. Louis-based Green Roof Blocks, contain low-maintenance plants and can be laid out with no preparation beyond rolling out a layer of waterproof material that controls drainage and blocks the intrusion of roots into roof structures.
See more photographs from the May 2009 feature story "Green Roofs."
While exploring Walkerville, Ontario’s vacant, leafy icon known as the Walker Power Building, I noticed how forlorn my dim reflection appeared in its window. The vibrant colour of the windowpane and its climbing spring leaves contrast the dismal fate of this historic landmark.
After a safari in the Masai Mara Park we were racing back to our camp trying to get home before sunset. No one is allowed out in the park after dark. When I saw this photo op I had to convince our driver to stop just for a second so I could take this one picture. It was worth the risk of a fine for being out after sunset but fortunately we made it back in time.
"We’re farm people," says Janice Haney of Greensburg, Kansas. "I enjoy hanging clothes out. We don’t have to waste electricity on the dryer. The good old Kansas wind can do it on its own."
