Drew Ballensky Blog

Green roofs do their job even in winter

Michigan winters are not known for their greenery, and the green roof at Ford’s Rouge assembly plant [http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1053556_greening-the-rouge-fords-more-sustainable-pickup-plant] is gray and brown this time of year. Though lacking aesthetic appeal, the 10.4-acre roof still absorbs melting snow and provides a high-level of insulation.
Jan. 19, 2011
Michigan winters are not known for their greenery, and the green roof at Ford’s Rouge assembly plant [http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1053556_greening-the-rouge-fords-more-sustainable-pickup-plant] is gray and brown this time of year. Though lacking aesthetic appeal, the 10.4-acre roof still absorbs melting snow and provides a high-level of insulation. Rebuilt in 2000 as a sustainability showcase, the Dearborn assembly plant, designed by William McDonough + Partners with ARCADIS, has contributed to a 30 percent decrease in Ford’s global energy use in the past decade. The green roof at the Rouge plant reportedly decreased the building’s energy cost by 7 percent. This is a year-round benefit—green roofs never hibernate. Other notable green features of the Rouge facility: • Rooftop light boxes providing natural light • Porous asphalt parking lot allowing rainwater to pass through • Recycled water for bathrooms • Small park that houses wildlife

About the Author

Drew Ballensky

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.
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