By Philip E. Pryor, ASLA
While landscape architects and civil engineers continue to see an increase in clients requesting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified professionals, many developers forego environmentally sound site development due to the seemingly exorbitant cost of securing a LEED rating for a project. Despite what many building owners and developers may think, however, being green can be easy – and affordable. It may even save money.
Although a developer may not attain a LEED-rating for a project, he can still make a significant positive impact on the environment by implementing low-cost sustainable site development practices. Developers, and even homeowners, can practice this re-discovered earth-friendly and cost-effective science by taking cues from nature.
Drain Water, Not Wallets
Developments with sizeable amounts of pavement and other impervious surface materials prevent rainwater from seeping into the ground, interrupting the natural water flow. To reduce contamination and flooding, costly storm water management systems must be designed and installed. While one solution is to replace asphalt pavement with more permeable materials, these materials can be pricey. Draining storm water does not have to drain wallets.
Efficient roadway and parking design can affordably reduce storm water runoff and lessen water pollution. Designing a site with shorter roads and smaller parking areas will not only save on material and installation costs, it will also allow water to flow naturally, diminishing the need for expensive storm water management systems.
A good example of this affordable, “green” solution was designed recently for the upgrade of the 322-unit housing community, Norwest Woods in Norwood, Mass. As the landscape architects and civil engineers on the project, we reduced the existing parking fields by two acres providing increased landscaped area, significantly less storm water runoff, while concurrently increasing the number of parking spaces. This reduction in paved surface also decreased heat build-up in the environment caused by reflected heat. The planting of shade trees in proximity to paved areas further reduces “heat island effect” while adding to the attractiveness of a development.
Material World: Local, Renewable and Recycled
Using locally produced, renewable or recycled materials can also “green” a site without costing additional dollars. The benefits of using locally produced materials are twofold – the reduced energy required to transport the materials and the financial benefit to the local communities. At Orchard Hill Assisted Living in Sudbury, Mass., we harvested lumber on-site and milled the specialty moldings used throughout the facility. Using recycled materials decreases demand for new resources, thus protecting the environment. There are countless supplies on the market today manufactured from pre-used materials at competitive prices. Many makers of site furniture offer recycled plastics in products; similarly, a variety of deck materials and fences made with recycled materials are available.
Developers often request highly maintained lawns to support a development’s image and attract tenants. These golf course-like lawns, however, require complex irrigation, pesticides and fertilizers – all of which are costly, can waste water, and potentially pollute the environment.
While manicured lawns are often necessary to create a specific image, developers should consider limiting them to the front of a site, and allowing the remaining space near loop roads and other “backyard” areas to grow back naturally with meadow grasses and wildflowers. Landscape architects can educate developers about this option, thus increasing habitat and species diversity while saving energy and water, curbing pollution, and reducing capital and long-term maintenance costs.
Lighten Up
A source of visual pollution – lit parking lots – can be made more environmentally sound and cost-efficient by “lightening up” on the amount of site lighting used. With modern controls, lights can be regulated to provide adequate brightness during on- and off-peak hours. While there is an up-front cost to install a more sophisticated control system, developers and building owners save considerably on electric bills in the long-term.
Bring It Home
As developers become more “green” conscious, homeowners can also be environmentally responsible, while keeping an eye on their wallet. For instance, to help restore groundwater levels and save water (a limited commodity in Greater Boston especially during summer months), homeowners can affordably install rain barrels to collect water from the roof. By disconnecting rain leaders from sewer systems and directing them into rain barrels, dry wells or garden areas, homeowners can forego the unsound environmental practice of sending relatively clean roof runoff through treatment systems to Boston Harbor.
In addition, rather than using treated tap water – meant for drinking – to irrigate gardens and other small-vegetated areas, homeowners can recycle rain barrel water for yard maintenance. Better controls for home irrigation systems will also reduce wasting valuable water resources and save homeowners’ money. Simply decreasing watering intervals will save thousands of gallons per season, and possibly reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides required.
Proper zoning of the irrigation system will also allow for efficient use of water. For instance, shrub beds need much less water than lawns, particularly after they have been established for several years. Mulching shrub beds is a good investment for the homeowner as well. The mulch maintains moisture, reduces weed growth and sets the beds off well against the lawn.
Sustainable design does not have to mean more dollar signs but it does require thought and collaboration. Socially responsible and environmentally conscious developers and homeowners can make being “green” easy by implementing cost-effective site development practices that safeguard the environment while protecting the budget.
++++
While landscape architects and civil engineers continue to see an increase in clients requesting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified professionals, many developers forego environmentally sound site development due to the seemingly exorbitant cost of securing a LEED rating for a project. Despite what many building owners and developers may think, however, being green can be easy – and affordable. It may even save money.
Although a developer may not attain a LEED-rating for a project, he can still make a significant positive impact on the environment by implementing low-cost sustainable site development practices. Developers, and even homeowners, can practice this re-discovered earth-friendly and cost-effective science by taking cues from nature.
Drain Water, Not Wallets
Developments with sizeable amounts of pavement and other impervious surface materials prevent rainwater from seeping into the ground, interrupting the natural water flow. To reduce contamination and flooding, costly storm water management systems must be designed and installed. While one solution is to replace asphalt pavement with more permeable materials, these materials can be pricey. Draining storm water does not have to drain wallets.
Efficient roadway and parking design can affordably reduce storm water runoff and lessen water pollution. Designing a site with shorter roads and smaller parking areas will not only save on material and installation costs, it will also allow water to flow naturally, diminishing the need for expensive storm water management systems.
A good example of this affordable, “green” solution was designed recently for the upgrade of the 322-unit housing community, Norwest Woods in Norwood, Mass. As the landscape architects and civil engineers on the project, we reduced the existing parking fields by two acres providing increased landscaped area, significantly less storm water runoff, while concurrently increasing the number of parking spaces. This reduction in paved surface also decreased heat build-up in the environment caused by reflected heat. The planting of shade trees in proximity to paved areas further reduces “heat island effect” while adding to the attractiveness of a development.
Material World: Local, Renewable and Recycled
Using locally produced, renewable or recycled materials can also “green” a site without costing additional dollars. The benefits of using locally produced materials are twofold – the reduced energy required to transport the materials and the financial benefit to the local communities. At Orchard Hill Assisted Living in Sudbury, Mass., we harvested lumber on-site and milled the specialty moldings used throughout the facility. Using recycled materials decreases demand for new resources, thus protecting the environment. There are countless supplies on the market today manufactured from pre-used materials at competitive prices. Many makers of site furniture offer recycled plastics in products; similarly, a variety of deck materials and fences made with recycled materials are available.
Developers often request highly maintained lawns to support a development’s image and attract tenants. These golf course-like lawns, however, require complex irrigation, pesticides and fertilizers – all of which are costly, can waste water, and potentially pollute the environment.
While manicured lawns are often necessary to create a specific image, developers should consider limiting them to the front of a site, and allowing the remaining space near loop roads and other “backyard” areas to grow back naturally with meadow grasses and wildflowers. Landscape architects can educate developers about this option, thus increasing habitat and species diversity while saving energy and water, curbing pollution, and reducing capital and long-term maintenance costs.
Lighten Up
A source of visual pollution – lit parking lots – can be made more environmentally sound and cost-efficient by “lightening up” on the amount of site lighting used. With modern controls, lights can be regulated to provide adequate brightness during on- and off-peak hours. While there is an up-front cost to install a more sophisticated control system, developers and building owners save considerably on electric bills in the long-term.
Bring It Home
As developers become more “green” conscious, homeowners can also be environmentally responsible, while keeping an eye on their wallet. For instance, to help restore groundwater levels and save water (a limited commodity in Greater Boston especially during summer months), homeowners can affordably install rain barrels to collect water from the roof. By disconnecting rain leaders from sewer systems and directing them into rain barrels, dry wells or garden areas, homeowners can forego the unsound environmental practice of sending relatively clean roof runoff through treatment systems to Boston Harbor.
In addition, rather than using treated tap water – meant for drinking – to irrigate gardens and other small-vegetated areas, homeowners can recycle rain barrel water for yard maintenance. Better controls for home irrigation systems will also reduce wasting valuable water resources and save homeowners’ money. Simply decreasing watering intervals will save thousands of gallons per season, and possibly reduce the amount of fertilizers and pesticides required.
Proper zoning of the irrigation system will also allow for efficient use of water. For instance, shrub beds need much less water than lawns, particularly after they have been established for several years. Mulching shrub beds is a good investment for the homeowner as well. The mulch maintains moisture, reduces weed growth and sets the beds off well against the lawn.
Sustainable design does not have to mean more dollar signs but it does require thought and collaboration. Socially responsible and environmentally conscious developers and homeowners can make being “green” easy by implementing cost-effective site development practices that safeguard the environment while protecting the budget.
++++
| Philip Pryor is a partner and director of the Landscape Architecture Studio at Wellesley-based Geller DeVellis Inc., a landscape architecture and civil engineering division of Geller Associates Inc., Boston. Contact him: ppryor@gellerinc.com |
FROM Environmental Design + Construction, a SustainableBusiness.com Content Partner.
(Visited 29 times, 4 visits today)
Loading...