Thoughts on Innovation and the Living Architecture Industry, On the Roof With… Dr. Anna Droz
Advertisement
Anna Droz standing in front of a LiveWall planted wall system at a bus station in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Even small-scale installations can provide aesthetic and air quality benefits. Photo: Anna Droz
Anna Droz is a certified green roof professional (GRP) who recently earned her PhD in ecology at Kent State University. While there she conducted research in the Midwest USA on the plants, substrate, and fungi in the green roof environment, as well as how we can manipulate these factors to optimize green roof health and functioning. She has consulted on several green roof projects and firmly believes in the importance of including biophilic design in the urban landscape for all to enjoy. Anna is currently working for LiveRoof Global as a Strategic Educator. I caught up with Anna to find out what she thinks about innovation in our industry.
LAM: What does innovation in the green roof and wall industry mean to you?
Anna Droz (AD): For us at LiveRoof and LiveWall, innovation means new products and new processes. Products that are leaner, and more efficient than the previous processes. When a customer voices a need, we take the time to investigate whether our products can be improved in some meaningful way. Green roofs as a concept have been around for a long time, but that does not mean they cannot be improved further. Combining technologies (such as blue-green, bio-solar, and agrivoltaics) allows us to innovate and maximize impact on even the smallest roofing jobs.
LAM: In your experience, how does innovation take place in the green roof and wall industry? i.e., Who are the players and what are the drivers?
A LiveRoof test module site. The modules on the left include a RoofBlue® RETAIN™ module underneath the LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof System. Photo: Anna Droz
Innovation is often a result of catering to a customer’s specific needs. Fulfilling a need drives us to think outside of the box and come up with sleek efficient solutions to fit their needs. Also, as a former graduate student, I should point out that having independent, peer-reviewed, scientific research to investigate new solutions is an important and often overlooked aspect of the green roof and wall industry.
LAM: What examples of recent innovations come to mind?
Blue-green roofs that retain stormwater, biodiversity/pollinator plant mixes, and bio-solar roofs that integrate solar and green roof technology together. As far as green roof accessories, there are also green roof pavers that are lightweight, easy to install and absorb stormwater.
Advertisement
LAM: What would increase the rate of innovation in this sector?
The LiveRoof deep modules contain a mixture of forbs, grasses, and sedum used as a “living mulch” to prevent weed germination. Photo: Anna Droz
Increasing innovation requires time, resources, and manpower. In order to appropriately bring a new product to market, we first must test the product to ensure it will not only meet the customer’s expectation, but will hold up over the long term without any unforeseen negative consequences. Grants, design competitions, or other programs that incentivize innovation might help defray the costs of trialing a new product. Involvement from recent college graduates can also inject fresh new perspectives.
LAM: What subject or topic areas in innovation are likely to occur in the next decade: in green roofs and/or green walls?
I think we will see more and more emphasis on creating habitat for pollinators and other animals in both the roof and wall sector. With planted living walls, I hope to see more integration with green roofs – to optimize stormwater capture and boost green space. A green roof can only capture so much water, then the excess runoff can be stored in a cistern and used to irrigate living walls. In combination, it is possible to eliminate runoff and derive other benefits in the process. Although not product or process driven, I think the topics of equity and inclusion will continue to become more important to ensure that everyone is included in the green infrastructure revolution.
Advertisement
Dr. Anna Droz with LiveRoof and LiveWall. Courtesy A. Droz
Anna Droz received her PhD in Ecology from Kent State University in May 2022. She is a certified green roofing professional and the strategic educator for LiveRoof and LiveWall LLC in Michigan. Anna studied green roof ecology and the microbial fungi, soil, and plants in green roofs in the Midwestern US, as well as the ecosystem service provisioning of blue-green roofs. At LiveRoof and LiveWall, Anna develops strategic messaging (both video and written) regarding new developments in the business, the green roof and wall industry, and the research and development occurring there.
