Projects and Research Interests

Driven by pragmatic curiosity, my research interests include "spontaneous green roofs" and all facets of urban ecology. My projects are generally centered on creating rooftop habitat, and on exploring innovative alternatives to the status quo.   Follow the links for more information.

Naturpark Tiroler Lech: Nature on the roof (Tirol, Austria)

Mature spontaneity: Moss roofs on Granville Island (Vancouver, BC)

Habitat, urban agriculture and self-propelled delivery: YWCA rooftop garden (Vancouver, BC)

Living wall at Radha Yoga & Eatery (Vancouver, BC)

Radha Yoga & Eatery will install a 12 ft² living wall in its dining area. Chlorophyllocity facilitated the introduction of Mycelium Urban Biodiversity Interfaces for the realization of this vision.

Plant list for green roofs and living walls in the Pacific Northwest (2006-2008)

As an ecologist, it is fun to work internationally because there is so much to learn! NATS Nursery, a native plant nursery in Langley BC, helped to jump start my knowledge- base of the species, ecosystems and relationships native to the Pacific Northwest biome.BCIT Centre for Architectural Ecology provided the hub for the local green roof industry. Below are some examples of projects to which I contributed plant lists.

Experimenting with native plants at NATS Nursery

     

Good times with extremely detailed planting plans.

Plant support for Paradise Cityscapes

The  climate in Ucluelet (west coast, Vancouver Island) presents new challenges for green roof plants.

Green Roof Display,Vancouver Sun "Gardens in the City" 2007 with Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architects

Planting with Randy Sharp (award-winning landscape architect with a soft spot for native plants), April 2007. Although the building owner warned that they would replace the planters with petunias at the first sign of shabbiness, by April 2009 they were still intact.

BCIT Elevated Research Platform: testing BC native alpine plants in different treatments

Visit the BCIT website for more information on this project.

Plant lists for exterior living walls (collaborations with Genevieve Noel and NATS Nursery)

Spearheaded by Genevieve Noel (Mycelium Urban Biodiversity Interfaces), the living wall at Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre is all native. It's fascinating to watch the coverage/ dominance change with time.

O-An Zendo (Julian Woods, PA)

The 300 ft² roof on the entrance to the O-An Zendo in the intentional community of Julian Woods (Pennsylvania) is covered with shade tolerant green roof plants. For more information on the project visit the Greenroofs.com Projects Database.

An efficient bucket brigade at O-An Zendo.