Andrey Lykov | Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP)
Andrey Lykov, GRIMP
Andrey Lykov is a Building Science Consultant at RDH Building Science in Vancouver and the first individual in the program to earn the Green Roof Installation and Maintenance Professional (GRIMP) certification from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
Andrey graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and, after moving to British Columbia, graduated with a master’s degree in building science at BCIT.
He specializes in building enclosure engineering, emphasizing energy-efficient, low-carbon, durable, resilient, and cost-effective designs for both new and existing structures.
He has experience in construction site management, project coordination, sustainability consulting and institutional experience as a study program developer for building science related courses.
Learn more about our GRIMP trainings happening in New York City on May 2, Toronto on June 19, Denver on August 14
1. How did you hear about Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) and the GRIMP program?
I was fortunate to be introduced to the green roofing industry and the GRIMP certification by Dr. Maureen Connelly, formerly of the Building Science Graduate Program at BCIT. While pursuing my master’s degree in building science, I volunteered at the Vancouver Green Roof Symposium, hosted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC). That experience allowed me to meet industry leaders in green roofing, learn about GRHC, and discover the exciting projects they champion.
2. What motivated you to pursue GRIMP accreditation?
Greenhouses installed over the roof assembly of a garages. Bodaybo, Russia.
Green roofs have never been something exotic for me—especially since, in my hometown in Siberia, families have used rooftop gardens and greenhouses on garages since the late 1960s to cope with permafrost challenges.
From a building enclosure perspective, I recognize that installing vegetation over a roof assembly introduces unique risks. Pursuing the GRIMP accreditation helped me gain a deeper understanding of those challenges and ensure future green roof projects I am involved with are both environmentally beneficial and technically robust.
3. During the training or in your work, what aspect of green roof installation and maintenance did you find most rewarding?
Designing a solution, and then witnessing it come together is immensely gratifying.
While there’s something to be said about the aesthetic beauty of a green roof, the most rewarding aspect is developing solutions that address a client’s specific challenges. This can include protecting the roof membrane from penetrations or root damage, maintaining insulation continuity, or addressing wind uplift. The process of identifying a problem, designing a solution, and then witnessing it come together is immensely gratifying.
4. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in green infrastructure?
It’s never too late to develop new skills. Green infrastructure touches on multiple disciplines, so embrace ongoing learning and collaboration. Listen carefully to those who are hesitant, and address their concerns with clear, informed strategies that demonstrate how risks can be managed. When you offer practical solutions, you build trust and confidence in green initiatives. Finally, invest in hands-on training to deepen your expertise and connect with a supportive network of professionals driving sustainability forward.
5. What trends in green roofs or sustainability inspire you for the future?
The GRIMP program itself is a great trend I admire. The program stands out for uniting professionals from different backgrounds to share knowledge. This type of collaboration fosters well-rounded expertise, which helps green roofs flourish in diverse climates and building types without adversely impacting building use, performance, or durability.
6. How do you see the role of skilled green roof installation and maintenance in promoting urban resilience or addressing environmental challenges?
Properly trained green roof professionals are crucial for maximizing the long-term value of vegetative systems from both environmental and economic standpoints, which in turn boosts confidence in green infrastructure. When projects run smoothly and the finished product is free of in-service issues, more people see the tangible benefits of green roofs and are inspired to incorporate them in future design.
7. How do you envision having a GRIMP-certified professional contributing to the success of green roofing projects?
GRIMP-certified professionals bring a clear perspective that often goes beyond traditional roles. By coordinating design requirements, construction, and long-term maintenance, they streamline decision-making and ensure the final solution meets everyone’s performance goals—whether those goals center on biodiversity, resilience, or cost-effectiveness. Their comprehensive skill set can reduce project hiccups and build confidence among clients and collaborators alike.
8. Have you had a chance to put what you learned into practice? If so, can you share a recent project where it was particularly beneficial?
Although my direct, hands-on involvement with green roofing projects has been limited so far, I’m excited to put my GRIMP training to work at RDH Building Science. I’m especially looking forward to projects that integrate advanced building enclosure systems with robust horticultural strategies. By ensuring these elements mesh seamlessly, we can deliver enclosures that not only look beautiful but also stand the test of time in terms of efficiency and durability.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a non-profit 501(c)(6) professional industry association working to grow the green roof and wall industry throughout North America since 1999. Our mission is to develop and protect the market by increasing the awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, green walls, and other forms of living architecture through education, advocacy, professional development, and celebrations of excellence.
We publish The Living Architecture Monitor quarterly online magazine where industry leaders share their insights and expertise. These articles increase awareness of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of green roofs, walls and other forms of living architecture.
We also offer free access to The Living Architecture Academy, an online professional development platform which is dedicated to bringing you the best, most up to date professional training information on design, installation and maintenance practices across a wide range of green infrastructure topics. The LAA offers short lectures and multi-day courses such as: Green Roof Professional Training, Introduction to Green Walls, Biodiverse Green Roof Maintenance, and more.
We also publish the Green Pages: Industry Green Roof and Wall Directory which is designed to support you with your living architecture projects by providing a list of trusted manufacturers, suppliers of accessories, green walls, nurseries, and certified Green Roof Professionals (GRPs). From small-scale residential projects to large commercial installations, this directory has everything you need to find support to create a sustainable and beautiful living space.
From the Living Architecture Monitor
