i own and live in a 4 unit building on a very small lot with a nearly flat roof in urban los angeles. its a 1912 building, wood and stucco.

turning the roof into rooftop garden seems like a perfect solution for my desire to have additional space. i just need to figure out how to do this.

i''d like to create a green roof, both extensive and intensive. extensive to help with heating/cooling and b/c it looks so cool- this space will not be walked on except for maintenence. and intensive to create a usable space for gardening and entertaining.

my big big pie in the sky dream is to throw a small prefab up there too for a retreat/guest space but no in the budjet right now.

i know i'll need a structural engineer to check out the current supports for the roof and am expecting it will need some retrofit at least in the areas i'd like to use for entertaining.

has any landscaper completed a project like this in los angeles? or can point me to persons who have or offer advice?

currently, i do not have rooftop access, plan to extend the wood stairs from second story deck or add spiral staircase. the square feet is roughly 1600.

thanks!

The biggest problem is finding builders who have actual experience, not the one's who think they can build a green roof. It's pretty complicated, built right the roof will never leak! You just have to beware of the 'one small mistake' builders.

The biggest surprise for me... I though a green roof would look more lush. The research has sparked a love for sedums for me. Another surprise was irrigation and weeding. I mean, a green roof is still a garden, I just never imagined myself weeding my roof. Even after all of that, I still want one.

The one thing about the situation you've described is the 'nearly flat roof.' An ideal greenroof has a slope to it, allowing for good drainage.