Water-wise Urban Projects (GardenDesignOnline)

Become a Fan

Tanner Springs Park Portland

Sustainability ... it's about the only word you hear these days in landscape design, so it was no surprise that the annual conference of APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers), held earlier this month in Portland, OR, focused on that issue for a day or two.

One of the city's top environmental landscape architects, F. Michael Faha, ASLA, of Greenworks PC gave a great presentation on the city's efforts to conserve water, increase open space, and protect the environment. You can see highlights of the presentation by clicking here.

One of Faha's projects, above, was planned as a place for contemplation in the busy Pearl District. It was formerly a railroad yard, and although the creek that ran through the property has long been buried, the design recalls the former wetland that once upon a time occupied the site.

10th & Hoyt Apartments

On our walking tour, we saw many other water-wise sites, including the Apartments at 10th & Hoyt Streets (left) by Koch Landscape Architecture. This innovative design channels water (only when it's raining) through gutters that spill into water features throughout the building's plaza.

The Koch web site here has many more photos of the water features and other views of the gutters and the main plaza.

Vera Katz Park

This tiny little "park" occupies just one city block, and it's essentially an 18 x 200 foot long channel of water.

The "water channels" funnel storm water from the remodeled 1891 Portland Armory Building, now the new home of Portland Center Stage.

It's the first building on the National Register to obtain a LEED platinum certification for sustainable design.

Ira Keller Fountain

And finally, this water park by celebrated landscape architect Lawrence Halprin is certainly not water-wise, but it's sure a lot of fun for city folk on a hot summer day.

The fountain was completed in 1970, and 13 thousand gallons of water a minute cascade over and down its pools and platforms. A site not to be missed if you're in Portland.