Greening History

Abstract

Sustainable development is one of the major focuses in several countries today. Most people opt for sustainable constructions and designs to promote greener environments and safer environmental practices. The green roof is one of the major projects meant to promote sustainable development in the community. These are roofs that have been completely covered by vegetation due to deliberate intervention rather than neglect. Greening history focuses on renovating old buildings to incorporate eco-friendly design elements while maintaining their historic charm. Installing a green roof helps a building become more sustainable and efficient in economic use and monetary value. This specifically looks at applying a green roofing system to the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The Stanley Hotel is currently on the National Registrar of Historic Places and making changes are highly complex. However, one aspect of the structure that is not of any historic value is the existing roofing system made up of asphalt shingles, the only meaningful part is the color of these shingles, red. If the hotel was to install a green roofing system using specific vegetation that was red in color it could feasibly maintain the iconic look of this historically important structure. While the initial capital required for a project of this scale would be immense, the roof would eventually pay for itself through increased energy and stormwater efficiencies as well as real estate value incurred over the lifetime of such a roof. The Stanley Hotel would be a shining example of how one unique place could bring its history into the modern world with a significant environmental impact and statement.