Green Roof Proposal to ROC/Meridian by the Thomas Circle Go-Green Group
Jeff & Susan • January 20, 2016
Maudine Cooper, Jareta Coyle, Gloria Davidson, Jewell and Guido Fenzi, Joan Fletcher, Harriet Fulbright, Renee Gier, Sam Goekjian, Tina Hobson, Carmel and Fred Jordan, Jim LaMare, Johnny Lane, Barbara Lucas, Nana McIntosh, Sarah McMeans, Dail Moore, Robert Murphy, Ellen Overton, Marcie Simon, Jim Ward, Judy Werdel and Bill Wooby. 
JANUARY6, 2016
OUR GREEN ROOF TEAM
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TinaHobson,SamGoekjianandHarrietFulbright Thomas Circle Residents’ Go-Green Group
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Brendan Doyle, Georgetown University, Masters in Professional Real Estate Program
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The Washington Architectural Foundation
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Constance Whitaker Maffin Memorial Fund
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Eliza Beth Engle, Geier Brown Renfrow Architects
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Brian Uher and Zachary Pogue ECORE Living, Georgetown University, Masters in Professional Real Estate Program
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The Washington Architectural Foundation
- Constance Whitaker Maffin Memorial Fund
- Eliza Beth Engle, Geier Brown Renfrow Architects
- Brian Uher and Zachary Pogue ECORE Living
OUR GREEN ROOF REHABILITATION PROPOSAL
- Maximize new uses and profitability of Thomas Circle rooftop; add value within the next seven years; add “Rooftop Living” to Thomas Circle amenities; align with ROC Seniors Housing environmental policy.
- Replace roof during 2016-2017 with new multi-purpose area, rooftop memory care and assisted living space, green roof, solar- heated hot water and additional amenities such as: food and beverage service, music, gardening, yoga, outdoor fireplace and fountain.
CONTINUED: OUR GREEN ROOF REHABILITATION PROPOSAL
- Proposal is based on: Condo owner and tenant preferences; Community health and livability; Sustainability (carbon footprint, air quality, water quality, daylighting, energy-efficiency etc.); Financial: costs, revenues, payback period, Internal rate of return; Long-term asset value and marketability
- Proposal consists of four elements:
- replace present roof and configuration
- include rooftop improvements
- convert roofing to “green roof”, living wall and solar hot water
- add additional amenities
Design Plan
1. Existing Roof
- Future roof replacement is within budgeted reserves
- Green Roof Team/TREMCO reports (2013-2014): need new 17,400 sq.ft. roof by late 2016-early 2017; fix leaks and masonry; address drainage.
- Total estimated cost: $610,800 ($35/sq.ft.)* Hard costs: $590,000
- Roof membrane and supplies
- Masonry Repairs
- Crane rentals/demo/dispose old roofing
Softcosts: $20,800
- Consultants: final design and engineering, landscape architect, project manager, legal, etc.
- Permits/studies: Building permit, storm water mgmt. plan
- O&M: 2-year warranty; $3600/year thereafter
*As of March, 2015
2. RoofReplacement 
- Capitol Seniors Housing Refinance Report (2012):
3. Roof Improvements
Total Estimated Cost: $719,028 Hard costs: $688,228
- Non-slippery Roof Pavers
- Glass Security Railing and Gate/Flashing
- Interior Renovation
- Additional Storage
- Security Cameras
- Telephone/intercom systems
- Emergency pull cords in the bathrooms
- Indoor drinking H20 fountain
- ADA pool lift
- ADA ramp from East Door
Soft costs: $30,800
- A&E/project management • Permits/legal
- O&M: $1000/year
4. GreenRoof(LivingWall,SolarHotWater,Gardening)
Total Costs: $394,933* Hard Costs: $369,933
- Green Roof and Living Wall
- Greenhouse and planters
- Solar Thermal Hot H20 panels
- Bee-keeping
Soft Costs: $25,000
- Permits, inspection fees, SRC fees
- A&E, LA, consultants/project management fees
- Legal/transaction costs/certifications
- O&M: $3300/month
Less reimbursements:
Rebate Yr 3: $173,930
Sell SRCs Yr 6: $21,621 (@$2.27/SRC)
Net cost: $199,382
*Does not include hard costs for solar hot water system provided by Nextility under self-financed contract.
Value of system $141,400
10 year gas bill savings $18,518-797-3377 year savings $108,000
5. Additional Amenities 
Donovan House Hotel next door
TOTAL Estimated Cost: $54,245 Hard Costs: $52,245
- Rooftop Memory Care/Assisted Living Space
- Multi-Purpose Area
- Outdoor/rooftop furniture and shade sails
- Planters & hanging baskets
- Lighting
- Big screen TV/movie projection
- Live entertainment
- Rooftop Pub with Food/Bevs
- Outdoor fireplace & Fountain
- Meditation and Yoga classes
- Physical Education
Soft Costs: $2000
- Aides/instructors/labor (?)
- Food/Bev service/labor (?)
- O&M
“Going-Green” is a Win-Win-Win
Environment:
- Reduces air and water pollution
- Shrinks carbon footprint
- Aligns with ROC Seniors Housing policy
Economic:
- Reduces water and gas bills: $2300-2700/year
- Increases Net Operating Income $3-5K per year
- Adds value; market advantage
Community well-being:
- Thomas Circle first sustainable retirement community in DC
Boracay Island
Philippines: Manila
Taiwan September, 2025
A Thread for Humanity
Japan Chapter 16, part 4, Looking back
Japan Log, Part 3 General impressions, Japan and Jeju South Korea
I went to the Nagasaki Museum of Art. There was a special exhibit there called War in the Eyes of Artists; from Goya to several Nagasaki artists. Though I had deliberately avoided visiting the epicenters of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for reasons I have already expressed, seeing this exhibit at the museum was just as intense. For this log I am going to highlight a display I found most moving. I am including the youtube address where it can be seen and heard. Place address here The display starts with a poem and an illustration. Both commemorate the bombing of Nagasaki. After viewing the illustration and reading the poem you enter a small theater to sit down and watch an animation of the illustration set to music. All the children, adults, animals and Shinto like creatures that are in the illustration (in a huge tree) come to life and move to the rhythm of the music. A male voice sings overall, lyrics that may have to do with the poem, written by singer/songwriter Masaharu Fujiyama and entitled, “Kusunoki; Blown by the 500-year Wind.” The illustration is the work of an artist named Junaida. The lyrics were inspired by the Kusunoki (camphor trees), which survived the atomic bomb.
We dock at Hakodate, Japan on the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That stands as a singular horror among the many horrors humans commit on each other and Nature and continue to commit to this day. There is no apology possible and unfortunately nothing may have been learned. We still threaten each other with nuclear weapons. No treaty has stopped the building of nuclear bombs. I wonder how the Japanese people keep the memory of this tragedy so that living can continue with some normalcy. Maybe it can be equated to a typhoon or earthquake, like a natural disaster having no morality or intention. It has influenced their imaginations ever since though, revealed in movies like Godzilla and in their Manga. Threatening creatures, imagined power that cannot be controlled or resisted. People can be like a natural disaster to each other. People can also be wonderful. We saw this as we left the city. A small group of dancers appeared on the dock to say goodbye. The dancing they did was so charming and touching. It was a traditional dance, maybe 15 dancers. About 8 people played instruments to accompany them, flutes, drums and other unique percussion. Watching from the top deck of the ship the dancers appear like exotical dolls. Three warriors pantomime their strength, emphasized with elegant gestures of their fans and their golden, brightly tasselled headdresses that bow and flash in opposition. Then the little children emerge, five of them. Their elders position them precisely and they wait for the music to begin. Their tiny movements are sweetly in time as they step then extend their fans to tap the air with it lightly, creating a feeling of certainty and control. Moving to one side with a gliding motion they unfurl their fan, flourish and close it, then glide to the other side and do the same. The dance continues with variations of these movements and some new ones punctuate occasionally. So intent and serious, each tiny performer dressed in elaborate traditional clothing, a magical, miniature display. The dance becomes hypnotic as it continues to the simple rhythms of the drums and flutes repeating and repeating an ancient significance remembered by a few. After they finish, our ship pulls away with several blasts from the horn. The tiny dancers wave goodbye, with their hands crossing again and again in front of their faces, for so long it seems as if they might continue until we are out of sight. Finally we are too far away to hear the children cry out. This experience was fleeting and very moving. A dancing gesture of dignity and friendship. People are not their military, they are not their government. They have to participate in their society but they are first of all human. They want to create understanding beyond language and country.
Alaska feels like a different country; not like one of the United States. Maybe its vastness and extreme climate have created this unique presence. People who adapt themselves to living half the year in darkness and half in light, in a lot of cold and rain with magnificent beauty all around, this has an impact. The unique environment of Alaska transforms people. The Tlingit were one of the aboriginal Alaskan groups. They crossed the Bering Strait from Asia, approximately 9,000 years ago. There are also some theories about individuals island-hopping from Polynesia. Both scenarios may be true. Nonetheless, they formed a highly complex social, legal and political structure along with extraordinary creative arts and oral culture. Before European contact their population reached approximately 20,000. Status was based on birth and wealth, creating a hierarchical social structure. There was a noble class (determined through hereditary) followed by medicine men and women, warriors, traders, commoners and slaves. The Clan House was home to three resident classes; nobles, commoners and slaves. The construction of the Clan House was a sacred event involving rituals for the dead. The two ritual groups (moiety) were Raven or Eagle/Wolf, and they were expected to marry outside their group (exogamous). Tlingit followed a matrilineal clan system. Children inherited the clan side of the mother. All rights were through the mother; these include fishing, hunting and gathering places, the use of certain clan symbols, totem designs, house decoration and ceremonial clothing designs. The Clan had spiritual, psychological and medical protection from a medicine man or woman. They were also known to control weather, bring luck, predict the future, expose witches and speak to the dead. They did not cut their hair in order to keep their power strong. Their power would pass to a younger relative when they died.