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
60 Landscape Architect and Specifier News (Continued on page 62) Strategies (Continued from page 58) measures incorporated in the Keeling Apartments project include water efficient landscaping, efficient plumbing fixtures and on-site wastewater recycling. Unique to the west tower is onsite wastewater recycling, providing landscape irrigation water that meets year-round irrigation demand. Filtering and treating shower, sink and laundry runoff to tertiary standards mitigates demand for water in the landscape and reinforces UC San Diego as a leader in sustainability. Strict water quality monitoring also contributes to the scientific research database. The integration of onsite water recycling was a pilot project for the UC system, acting as a legal and technical template for future projects to follow. The north and south towers are integrated in the site's water management program, sending roof runoff down to the stormwater conveyance systems. The central courtyard is the most overt demonstration of this functional and aesthetically pleasing concept: stormwater conveyance channels, designed as a primary axis, visibly guide water flow through the space, celebrating the sights and sounds of rain. Pathways over the channels allow pedestrians to travel the Keeling Apartments without interruption. Two gently sloped lawns provide opportunities for lounging, and also accept water through conveyance channels that carry flows from the building roofs and site, creating ephemeral pools. The pools are designed for maximum revelatory effect, capturing and slowly releasing volumes up to a 100-year storm event. When this happens, runoff water spills to the arroyo bioswale filter before releasing to the Skeleton Canyon outfall. The arroyo bioswale filters pollutants and captures suspended sediments from the large parking areas east of the site. The bioswale does significant heavy lifting, improving water quality and Above The arroyo bioswale, adjacent to a student event area at the south side of the site, improves water quality and decreases the amount of runoff carried to the Skeleton Canyon outfall. Plantings, which include 'Yankee Point' and 'Julia Phelps' Ceanothus, San Diego sedge, knife leaf acacia, deer grass, California gray rush, dwarf coyote bush, vanilla trumpet vine and Bush island snapdragon, were selected for their drought- tolerance and ability to accommodate periodic rain events. right The site manages 100 percent of on-site precipitation, providing bioretention and bioremediation, the latter via a system that includes the vegetated roof, downspouts, channels and retention basins. The system's integration reduced stormwater quantity, delayed peak water flow and controlled flooding in this region of the campus. Bottom, right The stormwater system was designed to control potential flooding, and can capture and slow-release water levels up to a 100-year storm event. During heavy rains, overflow from the green roof is directed to the courtyard retention basins, allowing sediment and pollutants to settle and filter out before water leaves the site. 54-63.indd 60 5/21/14 4:48 PM