Massive green roof planned for NYC's Javits Center

NEW YORK, NY, and DURHAM, NC, Feb. 4, 2013 -- A 292,000-square-foot green roof is being installed atop the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City's largest convention center. The Xero Flor Green Roof System has been selected for the project.

The Javits Center has embarked on a major renovation project that includes replacement of the building's roof and curtain wall, upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems that will reduce energy consumption by 26 percent, and interior reconfigurations that will enhance the visitor experience as well as operational efficiency.

"Incorporating a green roof will contribute to the goal of LEED(r) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver status," said Nancy Czesak, First Vice President, Tishman Construction (New York, N.Y.) and Co-Project Director. An AECOM company, Tishman is the construction manager for the Javits renovation.

"When completed this year, the Javits Center green roof at 292,000 square feet will be the second largest green roof on a single, free-standing building in the U.S.," said Clayton Rugh, Ph.D., General Manager and Technical Director, Xero Flor America (XFA). The largest, at Ford Motor Company's River Rouge Plant, which will reach the milestone of its tenth anniversary this year, is also a Xero Flor installation.

"The benefits of installing a green roof at the Javits Center include the reduction of storm runoff volume and peak flow. It will conserve energy by moderating temperatures on the roof and lowering the temperature of the air being drawn into the rooftop HVAC units during cooling season, while simultaneously helping to reduce temperature extremes inside the building," said Bruce S. Fowle, FAIA, LEED, Founding Principal, FXFOWLE Architects. "The green roof also adds the aesthetic value of urban open space -- the fifth façade of the building that will be seen and appreciated from emerging adjacent high-rises."

Given the size of the Javits Center green roof, the environmental benefits will be substantial. For example, with New York City's average annual rainfall of about 50 inches, the Javits green roof will prevent approximately 6.8 million gallons of run-off per year.

About the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York is New York City's primary venue for large conventions, exhibitions and major trade shows. Home to many of the top 200 trade shows, Javits hosts nearly 150 events with an average attendance of 2.5 million per year. These events are key contributors to the city and state economies, stimulating direct and indirect employment, economic activity, tax revenues and strongly supporting the city's hotel, restaurant, tourism and entertainment industries. For more information log onto: http://www.javitscenter.com.

About Xero Flor America (XFA)
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Durham, N.C., Xero Flor America (XFA), a pioneer in the North American green roof industry, is the official and exclusive distributor in the U.S. for the Xero Flor Green Roof System from Germany. Regionally grown on local, independent farms and 100 percent American made, Xero Flor Green Roof Systems utilize pre-vegetated mats based on advanced German technology -- patented and refined over more than 40 years of ongoing R&D, and proven successful and sustainable in tens of thousands of flourishing installations that cover hundreds of millions of square feet worldwide. No green roof system in the U.S. offers more performance validation based on independent scientific research than Xero Flor (http://www.xeroflora.com).

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