Umbrella House

Rooftop Garden Open House

Posted on July 17, 2015 by stenglander

We’re all really looking forward to Saturday’s Open House for Umbrella’s Rooftop Garden. We’re hopeful we’ll get some good press coverage of the event and the garden. We’re proud of what we’ve done here and want to spread the word and encourage other co-ops and building owners to do something similar on their own roofs.

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On Saturday July 18 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm the former Lower East Side squat Umbrella House will host an open house to inaugurate our urban farming project.

At 5:00pm members of Umbrella’s Rooftop Garden Committee will speak briefly about the development of the project.

This 820 square foot intensive green roof serves as a source of fresh produce for building residents, as a means to assist in storm water management, and as a model for other New York City buildings.

Event Press Release
EVENT RAINDATE: Sunday July 19; 4:00 — 7:00pm

Please RSVP to info@umbrellahouse.nyc
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New roof pavers of recycled rubber tire

Posted on July 14, 2015 by stenglander

We wanted to build as large a planting bed as was practically possible. We also wanted to make sure there was room on the roof for trees and potted plants, and for sitting areas; space for house members and their guests to socialize, or to just be up there in quiet contemplation.

Since we anticipated more vigorous use, we wanted to protect the existing roof with a new surface covering for the areas outside of the raised planting bed.

We selected a product made from recycled rubber tire, Playguard Safety Surfacing, which was originally developed for use in playgrounds, but that also has rooftop, patio and other applications. We purchased the material from Close the Loop, a retailer specializing in recycled products and green building materials.

The 2.5″ x 2′ square tiles are durable and heavy (about 25lbs each), but easy to assemble through a system of interlocking connectors, requiring no special expertise. The tiles do not need to be adhered to the roof surface, and allow for water drainage. They’re slip-resistent and put a spring in your step!