Why Do a Green Roof? Feature Projects – Center of Creative Arts & Modern Woodman Corporate Headquarters
February 11th, 2025|
Why Do a Green Roof? Feature Projects
Featuring:
Center of Creative Arts (University City, MO)
& Modern Woodman Corporate (Rock Island, IL)
by LiveRoof® Midwest
This month, we’re highlighting two exceptional projects from LiveRoof® Midwest. The goal of both projects was to create amenity spaces that would enhance the existing buildings. Designers sought to craft vibrant environments using diverse plantings of grasses, flowering forbs, and multiple sedum ground covers as a cover crop.
Center of Creative Arts (COCA)
The Center of Creative Arts, located in University City, MO, is the fourth-largest multidisciplinary community arts center in the country, serving more than 60,000 people annually.
When designing their LiveRoof® system, the team aimed to create "an artistic view for occupants" that incorporated natural elements to provide biophilic benefits, such as improved mental well-being, enhanced productivity, and stronger connections to nature.
A visionary team of St. Louis-based landscape architects, integrated into the building design team, brought this concept to life.
Project Details
Installation Date: June 23, 2020
General Contractor: SM Wilson
LiveRoof® Installer: DJM Ecological
Size: 1,162 sq. ft.
LiveRoof® System: Deep (6”)
Modern Woodman Corporate Headquarters
Modern Woodmen’s corporate headquarters in Rock Island, IL, sought to enhance an underutilized roof terrace atop their 1963-built facility. The concrete terrace was leaking into the parking area below, prompting repairs. This necessity spurred a design opportunity to improve the space by adding LiveRoof® and employee amenities, such as seating and synthetic turf areas.
The redesign, headed by Shive Hattery, transformed the terrace into an inviting environment. LiveRoof® Midwest collaborated closely with the design team to bring this vision to fruition.
By increasing the green space by 6,000 sq. ft., Modern Woodmen achieved a reduction in stormwater fees—an added bonus to the primary goal of improving employee amenities. These fees were reduced as billing is based on the ratio of hard surfaces to green spaces at the site. Since completion, the terrace has gone from being largely unused to becoming a daily gathering spot for employees.
Project Details
Installation Date: May 16, 2023
LiveRoof® Installer: Sterling Roofing
Size: 6,000 sq. ft.
LiveRoof® System: Deep (6”)
About the Grower
Roof Top Sedums, LLC, based in Davenport, IA, became a LiveRoof Licensed Grower in 2007. This 100% women-owned, family-operated company is led by sisters who bring a unique blend of expertise in both design collaboration and horticulture. Their skills enable them to cultivate biodiverse plantings that are delivered installation-ready and to assist building owners with long-term green roof care.
We thank you, for your interest and efforts to make the world more resilient and sustainable and wish you a wonderful day!
About this Piece:
This is thetenth installmentin our ongoing series, Why Do a Green Roof? We hope you’ve enjoyed following along as we explore the environmental, functional, and aesthetic benefits of green roofs.
Authored by Jodi Griffin, Business Development Manager, LiveRoof® Global. Feel free to reach me at jodi@liveroof.com.
