Washington, D.C., November 11, 2010 – The American Society of Landscape Architects’ (ASLA) green roof, located in downtown Washington, has earned recognition as one of the best in North America. Green Roofs for Healthy Cities will present ASLA with its 2010 Award of Excellence in the Institutional Intensive category, which honors innovative green roof design in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The ceremony will take place at CitiesAlive: 8th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference and Tradeshow in Vancouver, B.C. on Thursday, December 2. 

“We are deeply honored by this award,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA. “We wanted to create a space to push the envelope of green roof design, educate the public on the benefits of green roofs, provide an amenity to our staff and facilitate easy data monitoring – all within a 3,000 square foot footprint. This is a proud day for us.”

Completed in the spring of 2006, ASLA replaced the original membrane on the 12-year old building with one of the first green roofs within the District of Columbia. In addition to being a retrofit and unusual design, judges commented on the amount of research done on the plant palette and the fact that the roof is not only accessible, but in frequent use for everything from yoga classes to public tours.

“This is a fabulous demonstration project that illustrates the potential of creative design work on green roof projects,” said Steven Peck, GRP, Hon. ASLA, Founder and President of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. “There is no question that ASLA’s green roof delivers on its promise as a showcase of multiple benefits.”

For more information about ASLA’s roof or to schedule a tour, visit www.asla.org/greenroof.

For more information on the awards, visit www.greenroofs.org/index.php/awardsexcellence/2010-awards. 

View this release online at:

www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=30102

About Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) is a membership-based industry association developing the green (vegetative) roof and wall industry in North America. GRHC’s mission is to increase the awareness of the economic, social and environmental benefits of green roofs and green walls, and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development and celebrations of excellence. Visit www.greenroofs.org for more information. 

About ASLA

Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 16,000 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use their “ASLA” suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Learn more about landscape architecture online at www.asla.org.