A Visit to the Emerald City

No, I didn’t follow the yellow brick road, but I did take advantage of the long President’s Day weekend to fly out to Seattle to surprise a dear friend for her birthday.  Total success, by the way, complete with shrieking and jumping up and down! 

We spent a wonderful sunny day (no rain the entirety of the trip!) walking about downtown before heading north for the remainder of my stay.  Strolling about under bright blue skies, I spotted clear signs of spring sprouting from the ground that rid me of my New England winter blues. 

I’ve always enjoyed my visits to the Pacific Northwest and have marveled at their commitment to green initiatives.  Sure, the moisture-heavy climate is perfect for plant growth and the landscape is breathtaking, but even the cities are “green.”  Take this building for example.  Overlooking Pike Place Market and Puget Sound, it hosts gardens on every patio level.  I also saw a parking garage with a full-scale rooftop park, complete with lawns and gardens.  Even City Hall sports a green roof.  These are only a few examples of many. 

The Northeast is also, albeit more slowly, shifting focus to more sustainable building projects like green roofs and walls.  If designed correctly, these elements are not harmful to the architecture, are low maintenance, and require minimal water.

Green Roofs:

• reduce storm water runoff
• filter pollutants
• improve air quality
• help offset carbon footprint
• can act as a sound proofing barrier
• protect and increase the lifespan of the roof surface
• insulate and cool buildings (reducing utility costs)
• create habitat for birds and insects
  

Green Walls:

• clean outside air of pollutants and offset carbon footprint
• clean interior air space by removing harmful toxins   
• can act as a sound proofing barrier
• insulate and cool buildings

They are also really pleasing to look at!

There aren’t too many examples of these projects springing up in New England, but if you are ever you can find yourself in Portsmouth, walk by Cava Tapas and Wine Bar on Commercial Alley.  Unveiled this past September, a large, multi-piece garden wall hangs beside their patio seating.

Here’s to thinking green on a dreary day like today!