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Who knew a roof could be thirsty?

Most roofs are built to keep water out — but the green roof planned for Rice’s new utility plant will drink it in. That’s because the roof of the South Plant’s electrical room will actually be a garden: Low-maintenance vegetation planted in a special growing medium, which sits on layers of drainage and aeration material, insulation, roofing membrane and structural support. The green roof’s exceptional insulating powers will help reduce the building’s energy consumption, minimize storm-water runoff and provide a habitat for songbirds and other native animals and insects. A similar roof will make an appearance next year when Rice opens its 11th residential college, Duncan College, which is destined to become one of the first buildings in Houston to receive gold-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards program. Now that’s a roof-raising accomplishment!