By SHANNON O. WELLS
The new “green roof” patio at Pitt’s Forbes Hall Pavilion provides a case study in ecologically friendly benefits like stormwater retention, reduction of energy use and providing habitat for pollinators amid the concrete jungle that is the Oakland business district.
On a less lofty level, it’s also a cool place to just relax.
“It’s a great little oasis for students housed here,” said Colleen Edlund, Pitt Facilities project manager. “It has a nice view. It’s above the noise of traffic. You can hang out and have dinner.”
Edlund and Anastasia Dubnicay, Pitt director of projects and planning, talked about the project’s origin, practical function and innovative amenities during a spring tour of the landscaped green-roof patio that fronts Forbes Hall’s second floor.
The project at the building, which houses 267 Swanson School of Engineering’s Living Learning Community students on six floors at 2525 Forbes Ave., made several improvements at once to the spacious alcove. A significant one was addressing the chronic issue of rainwater leaking to the first-floor offices of the 1960s-vintage building.
The original roof on the pavilion included an 18-inch layer of earth that likely didn’t help rainwater drainage, Edlund noted. "Over time, the roof started to leak, but it was difficult to access the roof system due to the large amount of dirt on top. There was some rough-looking grass and full-size ornamental trees," she said. "The roof underneath was failing."
A retrofit included installing a waterproof membrane — a tray-based system underneath the landscaping to better accommodate drainage and reduce weight load on the roof. The state-of-the-art design uses an approximately 6-inch layer of earth that accommodates robustly green sod on the patio area, which originally was visible but inaccessible to Forbes Hall occupants.
Much of the renovation work took place during summer 2024. Workers used wheelbarrows to remove and replace dirt, with a lightweight Bobcat loader assisting where it was safe to do so.
The landscaped area on the pavilion’s southern end features a mulched area adorned with three eastern redbud trees, surrounded by various spirea, ferns and coneflowers. The remainder of the space, which was landscaped by Pittsburgh’s Klavon Design Associates, is a long patio surfaced with paving stones and tables, chairs and chaise lounges arranged in clusters.
“They did a nice job with the green pavers and mulched area,” Dubnicay said of Klavon’s efforts.
The Forbes Hall project is one of Pitt’s nine green-roof installments, ranging from absorbent roofs inaccessible to the public at Benedum Hall and Falk School, “pollinator patios” at Barco Law, Hillman Library, Nordenberg Hall and Posvar Hall, and the partial roof-plantings design at Posvar Hall, Schenley Quad and Forbes Hall.
"Not every building has a great walkup space" like Forbes Pavilion, Dubnicay noted.
Edlund and Dubnicay pointed out the benefits and advantages of green roofs, including:
Stormwater retention — Green roofs capture stormwater, reducing the frequency of combined sewer overflows, and helping prevent erosion and pollution caused by stormwater runoff.
Reducing energy use — Providing insulation that creates energy savings inside the building by reducing pressure on the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
Reducing “urban heat island” effect — The urban heat island effect is when human activities and construction in cities, such as buildings, cause the surrounding area to be significantly warmer, creating consequences from higher energy costs to human health concerns. Green roofs help reduce this effect by covering dark roofs with vegetation that helps absorb solar radiation better.
Providing habitat for pollinators — Green roofs can provide habitat for pollinators. Beginning in the 19th century, pollinator populations have decreased due to loss of habitat, loss of nesting locations, and increased use of pesticides. Pollinators are integral to the continuation of up to 95% of the Earth’s plants that need pollination to reproduce; as a result, installing green roofs with pollinator friendly plantings is a great way to ensure that pollinators thrive.
Extends the life of the roof — Green roofs help extend the life of the roof underneath by protecting it from ultraviolet light and hot temperatures. This provides savings because less maintenance is required.
Looking over the finished product, Edlund said after all the planning and efforts, it’s rewarding to see the pavilion so appealing while knowing it’s likely more environmentally and aesthetically functional than it's ever been.
“It’s nice to be reminded when you get involved with spaces designed for student use (including) offices and classrooms (that) this is where they live. I think students get a nice little surprise when they move into Forbes Pavilion," she said. "They get an outdoor space that they can use without leaving home.
“It’s great to see ’em out there with their pizza boxes, goofing off."
Shannon O. Wells is a writer for the University Times. Reach him at shannonw@pitt.edu.
Have a story idea or news to share? Share it with the University Times.