TWA Corporate Headquarters Green Roof

The TWA Corporate Headquarters Building in Kansas City, Missouri, is both a historic preservation effort and a demonstration of forward-looking sustainable design. Working in partnership with el dorado architects, JBC Landscape Architects collaborated closely with the owner to develop a landscape vision centered on an elevated urban prairie. The green roof design integrates native grasses and wildflower species—particularly challenging to establish in shallow soil profiles—layered within a matrix of four Sedum varieties to ensure resilience and long-term performance.

The 15,000-square-foot north roof was transformed into an elevated prairie landscape featuring a small observation deck, creating a unique amenity space while improving building performance. With the addition of a second means of egress on the east roof, an additional 10,000 square feet of previously unused roof area was converted into accessible roof deck amenities and demonstration gardens. These interventions increase insulation, enhance occupant experience, and significantly reduce stormwater runoff entering Kansas City’s overburdened municipal system.

By honoring the architectural legacy of the original building while introducing new ecological and social value, the TWA Headquarters green roof highlights the untapped potential of extensive green roof systems within industrial and commercial settings.