Green roof completed for Vancounver convention complex

Last week, the premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell, took part in a ceremony marking the completion of the 2.5 hectare green roof atop the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center.

“The living roof … is going to be something that is recognized around the world,” said Campbell, according to Canada's Metro News.

The Vancouver venue will 350,000 plants and grasses native to British Columbia. The plants grow in a 6-inch deep layer of sand, mulch and lava rock that are irrigated by 27 miles of piping.

“There are more living plants on the roof of the Vancouver Convention Centre than flowers in all of Vancouver’s 200 parks," Campbell said.

The $751 million facility will be completed in March, and is being built to LEED Gold standards developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. According to Campbell, the center will use 70 percent less water than a similarly sized building, and be more energy efficient.