The Barclays Center in Brooklyn is set to have a green roof installed. The idea has been planned since before the arena was even built. Developers believe the new addition will be one of the largest and most impressive green roofs in the city.
The Barclays Center opened in 2012 and hosts a variety of sporting and entertainment events, including home games for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and, from 2015, the NHL's New York Islanders. The Center was awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification for New Construction from the US Green Building Congress for its sustainable design and construction methods. LEED for Building Design and Construction provides a framework for constructing holistic green buildings and incorporating features that will minimize environmental impact whilst increasing functional performance.
"Our original design for the arena had anticipated a green roof as part of our effort to achieve Silver LEED certification," said MaryAnne Gilmartin, FCRC President and CEO. "While we independently reached that goal, we always hoped to still create a green roof, further improving the environmental footprint of the arena and also making a more direct connection to the sedum covered transit entrance on the plaza."
As the arena was constructed with the addition of a green roof in mind, little in the way of extra reinforcement is required. The additional structure will be supported by a steel frame and will sit between 4 ft (1.2 m) and 10 ft (3 m) above the original roof. Prefabricated sedum trays will be used to create the green surface, minimizing the time taken for installation and "complementing the weathering steel exterior." In addition to improving the sustainability of buildings, it is also thought that green roofs help reduce greenhouse gases.
The project will be delivered by the arena's developers Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC), working with the Shanghai-based Greenland Group. It is part of the broader Atlantic Yards project that will also see 4,500 residential units built in the vicinity of the arena.
Source: Barclays Center