Abt Electronics

Key Takeaways:

Only 3”-deep growth media
Biodiverse extensive green roof
Plant succession

The 3” deep extensive green roof using Omni Infinity Media installed above a warehouse roof at Abt Electronics proved that deep-rooted prairie plants could be successfully grown to maturity in a shallow extensive vegetative assembly. After several years of plant community succession, native plants outcompeted nurse species with Purple Coneflower, Switchgrass, and Wild Bergamot especially vigorous on this exposed, hot green roof surrounded by solar panels.

Local wildlife arrived almost immediately after installation and Abt staff members enjoyed sightings of hawks, Canada geese, and spotted sandpipers during their lunch breaks. HVAC condensate also created some very moist sections of the assembly which were colonized by several native plant species that normally would not survive in this roof’s site conditions: Grass-Leaved Goldenrod, Nodding Ladies’ Tresses, and Starry Campion.

Location:
Glenview, IL
Installation Complete:
2018
Type:
- Existing Building
- Industrial
Coverage Area:
3,524 sf
Depth:
3”
Stormwater Storage:
>6,657 gal | >890 cf
Uses:
- Extensive Green Roof
Omni Ecosystems
Articles:
- ‍Chicago Tribune “Beehives, solar, megabatteries, plastic foam recycling: Glenview’s Abt goes green”

Insights from the Field

Omni Director of Technical Guidance Michael Bukka Davenport shares observations and surprises from almost a decade of green roof biodiversity at Abt Electronics, recorded at the 2026 Chicago Grey to Green Conference from GRHC.

In this video: