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/457513
42 Landscape Architect and Specifier News The one place most of us spend more time other than at home is at work. Corporate suburban campuses are changing or creating their spaces to feel more like communities with outdoor amenities: green spaces, trails, seating, dining, event lawns, shade and even recreational activities. Encouraging health and well being, office properties are being designed to offer and invite employees to interact outside. Shell Woodcreek, certified LEED Gold, is a nearly five-acre campus in Houston's bustling Energy Corridor. Given the latest trends and shifts in corporate amenities, Shell has completed a master plan, redesigned and renovated the original two phases, and is developing the next two phases of this campus. Supported by Shell's mission, the design vision was to create outdoor environments and places that are extensions of the buildings where people can gather. In support of Shell's wellness program, the design promotes activity/ exercise in everyday life. The goals and challenges of the design were one in the same. The company wanted a soft, warm design that preserved the feel of nature, a relaxed and comfortable work environment, but maintaining a corporate sophistication with the use of extensive hardscape. The design enhances the natural beauty of the site with native grasses, adaptive plantings, prairie plants, wildflowers and large-scale reforested areas. The landscape is watered via drip irrigation. Site amenities include courtyards, seating nodes, trails, pedestrian connections, a scenic roof deck, a waterfall and rock feature that connect to planted detention ponds, limited areas of manicured turf, and a warm palette of locally and regionally produced sustainable materials and natural stone paving. Phase III Expansion The Phase III campus expansion included adding two new office buildings, and a parking garage for two existing two buildings. Reforestation and soft curvilinear forms drove the selection of natural materials to enhance and define the campus. There are large areas of native grasses and prairie plants throughout the site, particularly as a perimeter buffer, along roadways and around lakes.