The Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, a central attraction in the heart of the borough, has long been a subject of controversy and fascination. The modern architectural marvel, built as part of one of New York's most contentious development schemes, has drawn crowds with its iconic facade and design, which has polarized opinions.
Hostrooster's Barclays Center Experience: The Green Roof Takes Root
The latest addition to this iconic arena is its green roof, a project that has faced numerous challenges and delays. This green roof, set on a colossal 130,000 square-foot steel superstructure, has sparked debates regarding its environmental impact. Critics question how 'green' the roof truly is, considering the significant carbon footprint associated with its construction, potentially outweighing the environmental benefits of the sedum plants it hosts. Advocates of the green roof emphasize its positive aspects, highlighting its potential to provide a habitat for insects, absorb CO2, capture airborne pollutants, and release oxygen. The most visually striking feature is the lush sedum plants that adorn this rooftop oasis.
History of the Project
The Barclays Centre's green roof project has seen its fair share of setbacks and transformations, mirroring the challenges faced by the arena since its proposal in 2004. Originally, it was conceived by renowned architect Frank Gehry as a rooftop park accessible only to residents of the Atlantic Yards complex, officially renamed Pacific Park in 2014. However, during the 2008-2009 recession, the developers, Forest City Ratner, introduced a series of redesigns that significantly reduced the project's scale and financial scope, leading to the removal of the green roof and other features, such as a running track and ice skating rink.
A Joint Venture Between Greenland USA and Forest City Ratner Companies
The arena's journey began in March 2010, with a design proposal by Shop Architects and Ellerbe Becket. Its inaugural event was a Jay-Z concert in September of the same year. In 2014, new seeds were planted for the green roof project through a joint venture between Forest City and Greenland Holding Group, a Shanghai-based real estate developer. The project is expected to be completed by the fall.
Plants on the Rooftop
The green roof will feature four different sedum mixes that provide year-round vegetation coverage and colorful summer blooms. These sedum plants are known for their low maintenance requirements and do not necessitate complex watering systems. In case of a drought, the roof is equipped with four external water valves. Nearby towers are expected to provide shade to the stadium. During the winter, the plants will transition to a muted shade.
Absorbing Water and Sound
According to representatives from Barclays, the plants on the green roof will help absorb sound emanating from the arena, enhancing the acoustic environment. Additionally, the roof is designed to absorb rainwater during storms, reducing stress on the city's sewer system and minimizing combined sewer overflows.
Not Everyone's Sold
Despite the green roof's merits, it has its share of critics. The original plan included a lush public oasis, but the new structure is entirely off-limits to the public. Some skeptics even view the entire installation as a form of "greenwashing," expressing concerns about the massive steel superstructure's environmental impact. These critics argue that the carbon footprint associated with the steel structure outweighs the green roof's environmental benefits. Lloyd Alter at Treehugger is one such critic, stating, "The whole thing, from start to finish, is a multimillion-dollar environmental negative."
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