Let it Snow! Happy Holidays from CDF.top
CDF Winter Newsletter

in the newsne
The Sustainable Sites Initiative announces new landscape rating system and call for pilot projects
The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI) released the nation's first rating system for design, construction and maintenance of sustainable landscapes at the U.S. Botanic Garden in November in Washington DC.  Two of CDF's projects, the Kresge Foundation Headquarters and the Queens Botanical Garden Visitor and Administration Center are SSI case studies. 
Learn more about the case studies> 

To test the rating system, the Sustainable Sites Initiative opened a call for pilot projects in conjunction with the release of the rating system.  Submissions are due on February 15, 2010 at 12:00 am.
Learn more about the call for pilot projects>

The Sustainable Sites Initiative


CDF Celebrates 15 Years of Sustainability
15@CDF Celebrating 15 Years of SustainabilityConservation Design Forum celebrated its 15th anniversary in October with a green celebration at the local Knights of Columbus hall near our main office in Elmhurst.  The celebration featured locally grown and prepared food and beverages and decor by local craftsmen.  
Read CDF Founder and President James Patchett's reflection on the last 15 years>
 

Charles H. Shaw Learning and Technology Center named one of Chicago's "best endeavors" of 2009
Charles Shaw Learning and Technology Center
© Conservation Design Forum

Chicago architecture critic Blair Kamin named the Charles H. Shaw Learning and Technology Center as one of 2009's best endeavors in recovering key aspects of Chicago's past.  Farr Associates led an interdisciplinary team that included CDF to plan and implement the adaptive re-use of the Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s former power plant building into a new public charter high school.
Read the full story>


CDF Receives 4 Design and Planning Awards from the Illinois and Michigan Chapters, ASLA
Queens Botanical Garden The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recently held the Celebration 2009 annual banquet at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on December 4th to celebrate landscape architecture and the 2009 award winning projects.  Conservation Design Forum was recognized with a Merit Award for Design for the Queens Botanical Garden Administrative Building project. 


The Michigan Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

held the Annual Meeting and Awards Gala on October 15th at the Henry Ford Museum and Diamond Jack Riverboat on the Detroit River.  Conservation Design Forum was recognized with an Honor Award for Planning for the Millennium Park Master Plan Update, an Honor Award for Design for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Edawat Residential Community, and a Merit Award for Design for the Kresge Foundation Headquarters. 
See more awards>


30 and Beyond:  Iowa State University College of Design Alumni Exhibition Recognizes CDF President and Founder James Patchett
James Patchett
CDF President and Founder, James Patchett was selected as one of 30 ISU alumni to showcase "the very best work" from all departments in the College of Design. The Kresge Foundation Project was featured in the Exhibit that opened on August 24th, 2009.
Learn more>



Back to top



a look into our skethbooksk
Green Infrastructure/Complete Streets Demonstration Integrated into West Union's Downtown
Iowa Green Streets Pilot Project
© Conservation Design Forum

One of the most comprehensive applications of green street strategies in the country is about to realized in West Union, Iowa:


Project Features
  • District wide heating and cooling system (DHCS)
  • Integrated snow and ice melt system
  • Porous, interlocking unit pavers in streets and sidewalk area
  • Complete street- safe and pleasant for walking and bicycling
  • Traffic calming measures, including speed tables, curb extensions, and mid-block crosswalks
  • Increased handicap accessibility, including accessible parking stalls and ramps to individual businesses
  • Bioswales and rain gardens planted with native and adapted Iowa grasses and flowers
  • Street tree plantings using native Iowa tree species
  • Night-sky, energy-efficient LED and mercury vapor lighting system
  • Public art- integration of local arts and crafts into street architecture
  • Informative, beautiful signage
  • Increase of economic vitality by bringing green investment to the community

It is clear this demonstration of the potential for integrated green infrastructure in an urban context is greatly needed from the level of support and enthusiasm it continues to receive- through October, the project has been awarded nearly $5 million from a variety of state and federally-managed funding sources.

Location: West Union, Iowa
Client:  City of West Union, Iowa
Team:
Conservation Design Forum, team lead, landscape architecture, ecological
engineering
TeKippe Engineering, civil engineering, surveying
IBC Engineering, renewable energy systems, snow/ice melt system
Iowa Department of Economic Development, funded visioning, grant application, and other costs

More about the project>


Affordable Homes in a Healthy Neighborhood Redevelopment
Woodlawn Center South
© Visualized Concepts

Woodlawn Center South is the first-phase redevelopment of the Grove Park Plaza subsidized housing complex, located in Chicago's historic Woodlawn neighborhood.


Project Features
  • Redevelopment of two at-risk housing parcels for multi-family housing.
  • Use of energy-efficient building utilities
  • Native & adapted plantings to provide 4-season interest.
  • Plant selection to provide nature-based play environments.
  • Expose flow of rainwater from rooftop down into the planting soil.
  • Filtering of Total Suspended Solids using amended soils in Bioretention Planters & Infiltration Areas.
  • 100% of Rainwater managed on-site, up to a 100-year rain event
  • Green Job training in building deconstruction for community residents.

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) has partnered with the City of Chicago to renovate an entire neighborhood using an array of sustainable site and green building practices. Woodlawn Center South is the first-phase redevelopment of the Grove Park Plaza subsidized housing complex, located in Chicago's historic Woodlawn neighborhood.

Location:
Chicago, Illinois
Client: Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH)
Team:  
Landon Bone Baker Architects, team lead, architect
Conservation Design Forum, landscape architect, water resource engineer
Prism Engineering, civil engineer
Matrix Engineering Corporation, structural engineer
RTM & Associates, M/E/P engineer
HJKessler Associates, LEED consulting

More about the project>


Healthy, Locally Grown Food is the Focus of Future Planned Interpretive Farm in Mequon
Mequon Interpretive Farm Plan
© Conservation Design Forum

The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, the City of Mequon and the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center are developing a new type of food-based interpretive/recreational facility as part of the 1 square mile Mequon Nature Preserve.

The MNP Interpretive Farm will demonstrate how certain integrated agricultural practices can actually provide healthier local food while restoring soil and ecological stability to farm land.


Project Features
  • Preservation and adaptive re-use of historic farm buildings
  • Access to local produce and locally made products
  • Creation of agritourism initiatives
  • Demonstration of restorative agriculture
  • Examples of new, sustainable farm-based enterprises
  • Trailhead for regional trail system
  • Nature based play spaces
  • Sustainable site and environmental education
  • Intensive agriculture plots for rent
  • Authentic experience that reflects Mequon's cultural heritage

Location
: Mequon, Wisconsin
Client: Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, Inc.
Team:
Conservation Design Forum, team lead, master planning
Michael Fields Institute, Sustainable Agriculture
Stauss Architects, Architecture
Caerulean, Creative Design
Forest Agriculture Enterprises, Agroforestry
Workshop 303, LEED


See more images from our sketchbook>

Back to top



notes from the forumnotes
Standing the Test of Time
By David Yocca, Principal Landscape Architect/Planner

David Yocca at QBG The theme of the ASIC (American Society of Irrigation Consultants) conference I attended recently was "Weathering the Storm" and, as the title suggests, it had a strong focus on providing the attendees a perspective on the state of the building industry, the financial and regulatory climate, and forward-thinking, leading-edge practices. I was there to share an overview of an emerging green design tool (the Sustainable Sites Initiative). The audience was encouraged to embrace green practices to gain a competitive edge in ever-more challenging times. It was somewhat ironic that the conference was held in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in the United States. Ironic in that longevity and sustainability are aspects we all strive for in our businesses, organizations, and the work products we provide. While just five years is considered a major milestone, a time-frame of 500 years (the age of St. Augustine) is rarely, if ever, on our radar screen. What are some of the essential qualities that sustain a place (or a business, institution, or cultural facility) generation after generation? ... Read more>

calendar of eventsca
January 20-22, 2010
MidAm Trade Show - Sustainability Education Track, Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI) Overview
David Yocca, Principal Landscape Architect/Planner, CDF

January 28-30, 2010
IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference
Tom Price, Principal Civil Engineer/Hydrologist, CDF, Jason Cooper, CDF and Ken Willis, CDF

February 2, 2010

OPN Architects "Green Day" Event
James Patchett, Founder and President, CDF and Jason Cooper, CDF

February 18, 2010
Beyond the Basics:  Green Infrastructure for Clean Water
James Patchett, Founder and President, CDF and David Yocca, Principal Landscape Architect/Planner, CDF

February 25, 2010
MELA/Chicago Botanic Garden Winter Conference
Dr. Gerould S. Wilhelm, Ph.D. Principal of Environmental Services, CDF

February 25-26, 2010
15th Water Conservation Conference
James Patchett, Founder and President, CDF and Dr. Gerould S. Wilhelm, Ph.D. Principal of Environmental Services, CDF

March 18, 2010
Wild Ones Rock River Valley Chapter Lecture on Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design
Trish Beckjord, CDF

More events>

Back to top
Quick Links
In this Newsletter:
In the News

Calendar of Events


Contact CDF:

Visit us on our website

E-mail us