Photo: Mostue & Associates
Native LandscapingNative plants are adapted to the climate and provide natural and effective control of erosion, sediment and dust. They are suited to the nutrients in the soil and more resistant to local disease and insects, which means fewer fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Using native and drought-tolerant plants reduces water consumption.
Reducing storm water run-off reduces soil erosion and prevents pollutants from entering waterways. The plaza at Trolley Square is actually a garden on the roof of underground parking. Instead of exposed paving that would absorb and radiate heat, it offers a sheltered, green space that provides vegetation and captures rain water with a drainage system below the paving.
The sustainability of the surrounding site is as important as the environmental performance of the buildings on it. Efficient site design uses strategies that reduce construction costs while also minimizing the impact of the building on the environment, promoting alternative transportation and conserving energy, water, and natural resources. At Trolley Square, for example, great attention was paid to landscaping and surface water management to provide shading in the summer and capture heat from the sun in the winter, which leads to lower utility bills. The plaza operates as a shared space, providing a green, open area for residents.
More Information:
Archived Webinar on Site Improvements
Site Improvement Resources in the Enterprise Resource Database