Building Green

Students at the Calhoun School in New York City have much more than a roof over their heads. They have a rooftop garden, with lush grass, colorful flowers and fragrant herbs. Roofs covered in plants, or “green roofs,” are sprouting up all over, from schools to city skyscrapers. And roofs aren’t the only things going green.

Architects are finding all sorts of new ways to build buildings that are easier on the environment. These schools, homes, and offices are called “green buildings.”

Green buildings:

■ Use less energy

■ Save water

■ Are friendly to plants and wildlife

■ Are built with recycled or sustainable