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/274582
78 Landscape Architect and Specifier News Bottom, Left Weathering steel railings and retaining walls that reflect the West Loop's industrial past contrast with brightly colored seasonal plantings and ornamental grasses. Bottom, Right Terracotta artifacts salvaged from the infirmary building are nestled in seat walls, planter beds, and within the mounds. The unique details and industrial references within Mary Bartelme Park have made it a popular location for wedding and engagement photos. Right The primary paths on site are made of permeable pavers; runoff from across the site is directed into a leach field located under a central berm, where the stormwater is cleansed and infiltrated into the ground. community group. The design ultimately selected by the community and stakeholders consists of three intersecting paths that define the programmed areas as irregularly shaped zones with varying uses. The zones include a contemplative garden, open lawn, dog park, gateway fountain, viewing mound and sculpted playground. Fountain The fountain is located at the northwest corner of the park, the most highly trafficked corner of the site, and serves as an iconic gateway to the park for the community. Five skewed square stainless steel arches produce a fine mist of vaporized water that cools visitors and immerses the area in a cloud of mist. The arches were designed with water efficiency in mind, and use only 10 percent of the three gallons of water per minute a typical spray feature uses in the city of Chicago. At night, the gateways light up with internal LED lights that cast a unique pattern on the ground. A seven-foot high viewing mound along the northern extent of the park showcases a view of the rest of Mary Bartelme Park, with a backdrop of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and the Chicago skyline. Just south of the viewing mound, a large mounded open lawn creates the central spine of the park. These two lawns provide ample space for community activities such as holiday parades, movies in the park and recreation. Sustainability & Hardscape The dense urban area around the park made the sustainability of the design essential to the Chicago Park District and the design team, who set a goal of zero infrastructure for the treatment of stormwater runoff at the beginning of the project. The primary intersecting paths on site are made of permeable pavers, where all runoff from across the site is (Continued on page 80) 74-83.indd 78 2/27/14 9:05 AM