A CASE STUDY OF THE INTENSIVE GREEN ROOF ON THE 3RD FLOOR AT LAKE POINT TOWER IN CHICAGO

摘要

Lake Point Tower is a 68 story residential hi-rise located on Chicago's lakefront directly across from Navy Pier. Though passed by millions of visitors each year, few people (even native Chicagoans) realize that the treetops visible peeking over the third floor parapet wall are part of a 2-1/2 acre park designed by renowned landscape architect Alfred Caldwell. This intensive green roof has been in place since 1969 making it one of the first such projects in the U.S. The park contains a pond with a waterfall in the naturalistic style pioneered by Jens Jensen, a swimming pool, and barbecue area with "council ring" surrounded by lawns and planting beds including stands of mature trees up to 40' tall with over 14" caliper trunks all atop a membrane on a concrete structure containing offices, a health club, building support spaces, and a heated parking garage. The presentation will introduce the project with historical and present day photos, construction drawings and details, and discuss the nearly 40 year history of the building where the author has lived for the last 20 years.