Keene Green Products Provide Superior Water Management for a State-Of-The-Art Chicago Amenity Deck

Project Details:

  • Location: 2020 North Lincoln Park West, Chicago
  • Year completed: 2024
  • Project type/category: Green Roof
  • Product/system used in project: Keene Green
  • Job size (sq ft): 800 SqFt Green Roof on 1st Floor

Products Used:

Driwall PCD 045 roll

Driwall™ Prefabricated Composite Drain 10/045

DriwallTM Prefabricated Composite Drain 10/045 is a 0.45-inch, square grid geometric patterned core, drainage mat designed to eliminate hydrostatic pressure from behind foundation walls, retaining walls, planters, plaza decks, and balconies.

Root Barrier 20-Mil roll

Root Barrier

Keene Root Barrier is a polymeric sheet (20-mil or 30-mil), which effectively arrests root penetration and redirect roots to a horizontal growth plane.

Aqua Balance Mat & Aqua Balance Mat – Elite

Aqua Balance Mat

Keene Building Products’ Aqua Balance Mat is an innovative water retention and drainage mat engineered to optimize green roof performance and enhance your project’s sustainability. Designed with a proprietary blend of 100% recycled, low/mid-denier fibers, this mechanically bonded needled felt mat enhances capillary action for efficient water absorption and distribution, ensuring consistent moisture availability for rooftop vegetation.

Transforming an Amenity Deck into a Sustainable Urban Retreat

Keene Building Products, in collaboration with Eco Gardens, played a key role in developing a state-of-the-art amenity deck in Downtown Chicago. This 5,000-square-foot rooftop space includes a tennis court, pickleball court, basketball area, outdoor kitchens, planters, and an extensive green roof. Designed to enhance the building’s sustainability and aesthetic appeal, the green roof incorporates a cutting-edge system that optimizes water retention, drainage, and root protection.

Keene Green Products in Action

To support the long-term performance of the green roof, Keene Green products were selected to provide superior water management and plant health.

RB-20 Root Barrier

A 20-mil high-density polyethylene sheet, the RB-20 Root Barrier prevents root penetration and encourages horizontal root growth. This not only helps lock vegetation in place but also enhances resistance to wind uplift forces. Additionally, it protects the underlying waterproof membrane from root damage, ensuring long-term durability.

PCD-45 Prefabricated Composite Drain

Efficient drainage is critical for green roofs, especially in areas with unpredictable rainfall. The PCD-45 Prefabricated Composite Drain provides a high-flow rate drainage system that prevents oversaturation, allowing excess water to drain away while maintaining an optimal moisture level for plant health. The non-woven geotextile filter fabric acts as a barrier, preventing soil from clogging the drainage system while ensuring efficient water movement.

Aqua Balance Mat – Water Retention Solution

One of the latest innovations from Keene Green, the Aqua Balance Mat, was integral to this project. This specialized mat is designed with a proprietary fiber blend to enhance capillary action, allowing it to absorb and retain water efficiently. The benefits include:

  • Optimized stormwater management
  • Enhanced moisture retention for plant health
  • Mildew and bacteria resistance for long-term sustainability
  • Ideal coverage per roll, making it efficient and easy to install

The Importance of Water Management in Green Roof Systems

Water retention is the most crucial element of any green roof system, as it directly impacts plant viability and stormwater mitigation. With Aqua Balance Mat, this project achieves superior water management, reducing runoff and promoting sustainability.

Why Keene Building Products?

Keene Green products are engineered to provide long-term performance, sustainability, and efficiency in green roof applications. By integrating solutions such as root barriers, composite drains, and water retention mats, Keene helps contractors and developers create thriving urban green spaces that contribute to a healthier environment.

Contact Keene Building Products for Your Next Green Roof Project

Looking to integrate sustainable solutions into your next rooftop project? Keene Building Products offers a comprehensive range of high-performance green roof solutions. Contact us today to learn more about how Keene Green products can support your sustainability goals.

Keene Green: Where Innovation Meets Nature.