Installed 2011

Some projects are memorable because of their size, design or setting. Others stand out because they mark a beginning. The Intermountain Roofscape Supply, the Montana State Fund headquarters in Helena, Montana, does both.

Installed in 2011, the 11,000-square-foot LiveRoof® was Intermountain Roofscape Supply’s first LiveRoof project—and remains its oldest. Fifteen years later, the green roof continues to thrive as part of a building designed around sustainability, daylight and connection to its surroundings. As Intermountain Roofscape Supply reflects on the project today, that first installation still stands out.

The 115,000-square-foot Montana State Fund headquarters was designed to address density and sustainability within a smaller urban setting while respecting the scale and character of historic downtown Helena and the developing Great Northern Town Center.

The building was a collaboration between Cushing Terrell and local firm Mosaic Architecture. Two distinct floor plates are slightly skewed from one another, creating a wedge-shaped, light-filled atrium. A large glass curtain wall and ribbon windows bring additional daylight into the building while providing views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Sustainability was incorporated throughout the project. Photovoltaics, a heat-exchange system, rainwater collection, regional materials and the LiveRoof green roof were among the features that contributed to the building achieving LEED Gold certification.

The rooftop incorporates approximately 11,000 square feet of LiveRoof Standard modules with RoofEdge® aluminum edging. As part of the building’s overall sustainability strategy, the green roof also provides occupants with access to outdoor amenity space.

The vegetation and growing medium helps manage stormwater by capturing rainfall and reducing rooftop runoff. The planted surface also helps moderate rooftop temperatures while protecting the roof membrane from direct exposure to UV radiation and temperature fluctuations.

Because the rooftop is accessible, it also expands the building’s usable space and gives employees an opportunity to step outside and experience a planted environment during the workday. The diversity of plant material provides another benefit by creating habitat for pollinators, insects and birds in an urban setting.

Together, these benefits support the building’s broader approach to sustainability while transforming what could have been a conventional rooftop into a functional living landscape.

A green roof that has been growing since 2011 also demonstrates the importance of ongoing maintenance. At Montana State Fund, the LiveRoof is cared for by an outside contractor following the LiveRoof Operation Manual, addressing irrigation, weeds, soil health and fertilization.

Once established and healthy, the maintenance approach becomes relatively straightforward: annual fertilization, mowing and monthly weeding, along with appropriate irrigation and attention to changing rooftop conditions. That continued care helps preserve the health, appearance and performance of the green roof as it matures.

For Intermountain Roofscape Supply, Montana State Fund will always represent an important first. Fifteen years later, it also demonstrates what long-term green roof success can look like—a mature living landscape that continues to contribute to the building and the people who use it.

The first project may always be memorable. Seeing it continues to thrive 15 years later makes it even more so.

• Project: Montana State Fund Office Building
• Location: Helena, Montana
• Installation: 2011
• Green Roof: 11,000 sq. ft.
• LiveRoof System: Standard
• LiveRoof Accessories: RoofEdge®
• Architect & Engineering: Cushing Terrell
• Architect: Mosaic Architecture
• General Contractor: Dick Anderson Construction
• LiveRoof Installer: Summit Roofing
• Certification: LEED Gold

This is the seventh installment in our ongoing series, Longevity of LiveRoof® Green Roofs, where we examine the durability and long-term performance of LiveRoof systems across North America.

Jodi Griffin is the Business Development Manager for LiveRoof® Global. Questions? Reach out anytime at jodi@liveroof.com.