LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/320919
June 2014 57 Site Planning Challenges and Solutions The 158,000-square-foot site is situated at the western edge of the La Jolla mesa, a coastal ridge 400 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Once covered by native coastal sage scrub, the area was planted with eucalyptus groves in the early 1900s. With providential views of the California coastline, the Keeling Apartments site helps define the southwestern gateway to the campus. Importantly, the project is also at the low end of the campus stormwater system, and just above the fragile ecosystem of the Skeleton Canyon outfall to the Pacific Ocean. The project's relationship to this broader system became the most influential aspect of the site design. The project's construction made the functional aspects of stormwater capture, infiltration and slow release obvious and essential to the campus experience. Buildings, student amenities and open stormwater infrastructure had to be sited thoughtfully to optimize the landscape's benefits, and integrated gracefully to achieve a memorable character. The design team worked to connect building function to the site, so that each works with the other through water conveyance. Students, visitors and university staff experience the management of stormwater, hear and see runoff moving from roofs and site hardscape through a system of engineered basins and weirs, which releases into a native arroyo bioswale. The intent was to evoke a feeling of connection with the scarcity of stormwater resources in Southern California. The architects and landscape architects conducted a detailed analysis of circulation needs, topography, solar aspects and microclimate factors to site the three towers, each five to ten stories. Connected to each other at the sixth floor vegetated roof, the buildings Above Collected from neighboring parking areas, water conveyance channels visibly guide runoff throughout the space, while allowing pedestrians to travel without interruption. The stormwater is ultimately diverted to the arroyo bioswale, which filters pollutants and captures suspended sediments through plants, rocks and soil. 54-63.indd 57 5/21/14 4:48 PM