Sky High Sustainability: NASA Johnson’s Pocket Prairie Flourishes Atop Building 12

by Sumer Loggins | 2024-07-15

Buzzing with bees, baby birds, and wildflowers, the rooftop garden atop building 12 at Johnson Space Center in Houston reflects NASA's commitment to environmental stewardship. Originally constructed in 1963, the facility was transformed in 2012, incorporating energy-efficient features that earned it LEED Gold certification. The certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. Today, the building serves as a testament to NASA’s commitment to ecological innovation.

Nestled between the Mission Control Center and building 16, this hidden gem is part of a series of pioneering efforts at Johnson to demonstrate how even the most unexpected locations can become vibrant ecosystems.

Aerial view of a building with a large rooftop garden featuring a mix of green and purple vegetation. The garden is designed in a curving, artistic pattern. In the background, other buildings and lush greenery are visible. — *Aerial views of Johnson Space Center’s rooftop garden. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford*

Initiated by Joel Walker, director of Center Operations, and designed alongside NASA engineers, the rooftop garden exemplifies green architecture with integrated solar panels, an underfloor air distribution system, and wind turbines.

“It was something of an experiment to see what worked well and what we might use in future projects,” said Walker.

A field of bluebonnets in full bloom stretches across the foreground, creating a sea of blue and green. In the background, there are white buildings with numerous windows. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue. — *Native Texas Bluebonnet atop building 12 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.*

The Center Operations team leads sustainability efforts at Johnson, working across multiple directorates and teams. Together, they manage Johnson’s 1,600 acres, which host a diverse array of plants and wildlife.

Building 12’s green roof provides benefits such as reduced potable water and energy usage, better stormwater management, protection from UV rays, and increased stability in high winds. This unique space provides an ideal environment for nesting birds and visiting pollinators and boasts a projected lifespan of 50 years, significantly longer than the 20 to 25 years typical of a conventional roof.

“I was genuinely surprised by the variety of native species thriving in our rooftop garden,” said Johnson’s wildlife biologist Strausser. “We've observed far more species than we ever anticipated, which is both fascinating and encouraging for our conservation efforts.”

A group of seven people stand and crouch on a rooftop garden filled with blooming bluebonnet flowers. The background includes the Mission Control Center and other buildings, under a partly cloudy sky. — *Johnson team members meet on the building 12 rooftop to assess and monitor the plants.*

Initially, the project started with non-native ornamental plants that failed in the harsh Houston climate. Attempts to replant the garden had mixed results until the team tried hand-throwing native grass seed mixed with native wildflowers. This method proved to be a big success, at a fraction of the cost estimated for professional planting.

“Sometimes the easiest way is the best!” said Walker. “It looks great now and is much more durable too.”