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
88 Landscape Architect and Specifier News (Continued on page 90) Grange HQ (Continued from page 86) provide a contrasting element to the sweeping masses of wetland plants in the lower basin. A variety of wetland plants—'Sweet Flag', dwarf horsetail, 'Blue Star' and a variety of sedges—were selected for their scale, texture, seasonal color and maintenance qualities to make this a garden that is beautiful as well as functional. Another key component of the new campus infrastructure is the reintroduction of Wall Street. The design team established the new corporate lobby on what was formerly Wall Street and reconstructed the street to become the main pedestrian path that connects the new Grange parking garage through the corporate lobby, the rain garden, service court and South Green beyond. The paving materials transition from bluestone pavers to precast pavers and asphalt as the path moves southward between the service court and rain garden and then to asphalt and repurposed brick pavers from the original street. A bold arrangement of dwarf bamboo, feather reed grass, black-eyed Susan and Russian sage follow the path in a shifting pattern emphasizing a north-south grain. The path is punctuated with columnar pedestrian lights and contemporary benches of wood and steel. In addition to the ground-level site development, three green roofs totaling over 10,000 sq.ft. have been constructed adjacent to the offices at the second and third floors to the south and east. They are densely planted with a diverse palette of visually contrasting sedums to create bold geometric patterns. These green roofs, reduce glare in the adjacent offices, absorb storm water, and reduce the heat island affect, while creating a landscape that benefits the employees in the office tower. Above Japanese Pagoda trees (see image on page 82) were specified by NBBJ landscape architects for the main plaza, but the contractor installed a different cultivar that performed poorly and soon had to be replaced soon by 'Princeton' elms (pictured). There are also some red maples, swamp white oaks on site (not pictured), along with some existing trees.