High Line wins 2011 Green Roof Award of Excellence

New York City, NY – Recipients of the 2011 Green Roof and Wall Awards of Excellence were announced on October 25th and claiming top honors in the Intensive Institutional category was New York City's impressive new elevated public park, the High Line.

The Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding accomplishments in living architecture and are presented each year by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the North American green roof and wall industry association.

"Since 2003, the Awards of Excellence have defined the leading edge of innovation for living architecture," said Jeffrey L. Bruce, Chair of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. "With an exceptionally competitive program, this year's winners should be proud of their accomplishments in challenging the boundaries of the industry."

The Awards will be presented at CitiesAlive: 9th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday, December 2nd. CitiesAlive is presented along with co-hosts the City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and runs from November 30th to
December 2nd.

Please visit www.greenroofs.org for more information about GRHC awards (including photos and background materials), conference and event registration, and media accreditation.

Project Description: High Line – New York, NY

The High Line is a public park built on a 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure running from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street on Manhattan's West Side. Originally a freight rail line, the High Line was in operation from 1934 to 1980, and it carried meat to the meat packing district, agricultural goods to the factories and warehouses of the industrial West Side, and mail to the Post Office.

The High Line is inherently a green structure. It re-purposes a piece of industrial infrastructure as public green space. The High Line landscape functions essentially like a green roof; porous pathways contain open joints, so water can drain between planks and water adjacent planting beds, cutting
down on the amount of storm-water that runs off the site into the sewer system.

"In many ways, the High Line project is the best example of how green roof technology can improve densely populated urban areas. Transforming unused space into recreational green space is the future of cities around the world and ZinCo USA is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution", says Nicholas Smith, National Account Manager, ZinCo USA.

ZinCo's drainage system is designed to allow the plants to retain as much water as possible. Because the green roof system plays such a critically important role in the day-to-day function of the High Line project, it was important that ZinCo USA was able to provide the designers and the installers precise information on product performance and accurate guidelines for specification and installation. In addition, there is an irrigation system with options for both automatic and manual watering. This system will be particularly important in the first few years as the plants establish themselves, but less necessary over time.

The public space blends plant life (reminiscent of the quiet contemplative nature of the self-seeded landscape and wild plantings that once grew on the unused High Line) with long, narrow "planks", forming a smooth, linear, virtually seamless walking surface. The public environment on the High Line contains special features, including a water feature, viewing platforms, a sundeck, and gathering areas to be used for performances, art exhibitions and educational programs.

The High Line has rigorous maintenance requirements and the Friends of the High Line, many of whose members are volunteers, are responsible for maintaining this wonderful space. This organization seeks to preserve the entire historic structure and continue the transformation of an essential piece of New York's industrial past. Through stewardship, innovative design and programming, and excellence in operations, the High Line is increasingly serving as a vibrant community hub.

Media contact

Steven Peck, President and Founder, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities – speck@greenroofs.org or 416-971-4494 ex.233.

Nicholas Smith, National Account Manager, ZinCo USA, Inc. – n.smith@zinco-usa.com or 866-766-3155.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is presenting CitiesAlive: 9th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference, in partnership
with the City of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). This event will feature leading-edge designs, new technical performance research, policy research, professional training and tours from November 30-December 3, 2011. See www.citiesalive.org for agenda details, media passes and registration information. Please contact Paul Erlichman for information on media passes (perlichman@greenroofs.org).

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.

Project: High Line, New York, NY

Award Recipient: Kelco Construction, Inc. (Installer of Green Roof System, Vegetation and Irrigation)

Drainage System: ZinCo USA, Inc.

Landscape Architect: James Corner Field Operations

Architect: Diller, Scofidio + Renfro

MEP Engineering: Buro Happold

Structural Engineering/Historic Preservation: Robert Silman

Planting Design: Piet Oudolf

General Construction Contractor: CAC Industries

Lighting: L'Observatoire International

Signs: Pentagram Design, Inc.