Refurbished green roofs

Russel Wright (1904 – 1976) was one of the most outstanding designers of the twentieth  century and one of the most important figures in American modernism. His innovative designs had a decisive impact on everyday life in the United States. He is widely considered a lifestyle pioneer. His dinnerware, which was very popular in the 1940s and 50s, is currently being produced again.

In the 1950s, Wright retired to his Manitoga estate located in Garrisson, New York. The name Manitoga was chosen deliberately – in the language of the Algonquin tribe the name means “Place of the Great Spirit”. Transforming the 300,000 m² estate into a “woodland garden”, a melodious place for humans and nature, was to become his final masterpiece. With this project, Russel Wright aimed to bring together and shape nature and design in harmony without destroying anything. His house “Dragon Rock” also included a studio. Today, this complex houses a Russel Wright Museum, where his works are exhibited.

Maximum protection

Manitoga was added to the register of “National Historic Landmarks” in 2006 and is open to the public. The property has been owned since 1986 by Manitoga Inc., a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to preserving and protecting Russel Wright’s legacy.  Over the past few years, the Manitoga Exhibition Center has been extensively refurbished and restored to its original appearance. In the autumn of 2009, the two green roofs of the house were completely refurbished, waterproofed with KEMPEROL and planted with new plants. KEMPER SYSTEM Inc., the Group’s US subsidiary, provided the material free of charge.

The planner was Kaitsen Woo Architect P. C. (KWA), an architectural firm specialising in building preservation and reconstruction. Kaitsen Woo, architect and president of the company, praises the advantages of the liquid applied waterproofing: “We used KEMPEROL to achieve the best possible protection for the historic house. The product combines quality and durability. To refurbish the green roofs, we needed a product with proven quality that would comply with historic consideration. KEMPEROL was our chosen solution, which weaved seamlessly into the existing historic fabrics while ensuring maximum protection against water infiltration. KWA has specified KEMPEROL for many of our toughest and most challenging projects.”