Tuesday 26 April 2011

A Green Roof for the Jean-Talon Market


The city of Montreal has yet to give its complete okay--a few questions about the weight-bearing ability of the market buildings remain--but it looks like this summer will see the roof of Montreal's most interesting public market covered with green plants.

Le Devoir had the story on the weekend, as everybody was supposed to be celebrating Earth Day, but in the confusion of competing events--there's a federal election on, for heaven's sake, as well as holidays for Christians, Jews and rabbits--I didn't note it properly. Some 30 per cent of the 50,000 square feet of roof covering the stalls will planted with lettuce and similar plants for use by a terrace-resto that will also be installed. The rest of the surface, now a conventional tar and gravel roof--will be painted green which will be less heat-absorbent than what is there now.

Sounds like a great idea...

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