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The Sustainable Sites Initiative announces new landscape rating system and call for pilot projects
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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>
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CDF Celebrates 15 Years of Sustainability
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Charles H. Shaw Learning and Technology Center named one of Chicago's "best endeavors" of 2009
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 © Conservation Design ForumChicago 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
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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>
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30 and Beyond: Iowa State University College of Design Alumni Exhibition Recognizes CDF President and Founder James Patchett
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 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
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Green Infrastructure/Complete Streets Demonstration Integrated into West Union's Downtown
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© 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
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District
wide heating and cooling system (DHCS)
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Integrated
snow and ice melt system
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Porous,
interlocking unit pavers in streets and sidewalk area
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Complete
street- safe and pleasant for walking and bicycling
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Traffic
calming measures, including speed tables, curb extensions, and mid-block
crosswalks
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Increased
handicap accessibility, including accessible parking stalls and ramps to
individual businesses
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Bioswales
and rain gardens planted with native and adapted Iowa grasses and
flowers
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Street
tree plantings using native Iowa tree species
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Night-sky,
energy-efficient LED and mercury vapor lighting system
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Public
art- integration of local arts and crafts into street architecture
- Informative,
beautiful signage
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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>
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Affordable Homes in a Healthy Neighborhood Redevelopment
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© 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
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Redevelopment of two
at-risk housing parcels for multi-family housing.
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Use of
energy-efficient building utilities
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Native & adapted
plantings to provide 4-season interest.
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Plant selection to
provide nature-based play environments.
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Expose flow of
rainwater from rooftop down into the planting soil.
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Filtering of Total
Suspended Solids using amended soils in Bioretention Planters & Infiltration
Areas.
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100% of Rainwater
managed on-site, up to a 100-year rain event
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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>
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Healthy, Locally Grown Food is the Focus of Future Planned Interpretive Farm in Mequon
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© 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
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Standing the Test of Time
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By David Yocca, Principal Landscape
Architect/Planner
 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>
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January 20-22, 2010MidAm Trade Show - Sustainability Education Track, Sustainable Sites Initiative (SSI) OverviewDavid 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, 2010OPN Architects "Green Day" EventJames Patchett, Founder and President, CDF and Jason Cooper, CDF February 18, 2010 Beyond the Basics: Green Infrastructure for Clean WaterJames Patchett, Founder and President, CDF and David Yocca, Principal Landscape Architect/Planner, CDF February 25, 2010 MELA/Chicago Botanic Garden Winter ConferenceDr. 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 DesignTrish Beckjord, CDF More events>Back to top
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Conservation
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. 
