History of green roofs
Green (vegetated) roofs have been in existence since ancient times. “The first known historical references to manmade gardens above grade were the ziggurats (stone pyramidal stepped towers) of ancient Mesopotamia, built from the fourth millennium until around 600 B.C.” In France, gardens planted in the 13th Century thrive atop a Benedictine abbey. Norwegians developed sod roofs centuries ago as a means of thermally insulating their buildings. In fact, sod homes are still used as protection against extremely cold winters in Norway and the United States. Five roof gardens were installed atop the seventh floor of the Rockefeller Center in New York City, New York, between
1933 and 1936. Designed to be ‘viewscapes’ for the enjoyment of skyscraper tenants (at higher rents, of course), these gardens continue enhancing the view in New York City.