MICHIGAN ASLA 2009 AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Twenty-fourth Annual Michigan Chapter ASLA Awards Program

Congratulations to our six award winners!

Landscape Design Honor Award Winners:

     JJR, LLC -- Dequindre Cut Greenway

     Conservation Design Forum -- Pokagon Edawat Residential Community

Landscape Design Merit Award Winners:

     Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc. -- Booth Park

     Conservation Design Forum -- The Kresge Foundation Headquarters

     Professional Engineering Associates, Inc. -- Garden of Healing and Renewal

Landscape Planning & Analysis Honor Award Winner:

     Conservation Design Forum -- Millennium Park Master Plan Update 2006

Check out our 2008 Award Archive Here.

Check out our 2007 Award Archive Here.

Check out our 2006 Award Archive Here.

Check out our 2005 Award Archive Here.

Landscape Design Honor Award Winners :

Firm: JJR, LLC

Client: Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

Project Title: Dequindre Cut Greenway

Project Location: Detroit, MI

With: ABC Paving, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

The overgrown, abandoned railroad corridor prior to the greenway development.	The same stretch of land after the greenway was finished.	Landscaping is used to stabilize the side slope of the Lafayette Ramp.

The need for recreational space in Detroit is evident by the variety and amount of the greenway is receiving.	The installed trail head with JJR-designed signage identifying the Lafayette Ramp access point.	The greenway’s southernmost access point just north of the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor.

The Dequindre Cut Greenway presents a compelling story of how a 30-year old abandoned rail corridor that had no discernible public benefit can generate a sense of place and pride in the local community. It has become an amenity for adjacent neighborhoods after reclaiming an underutilized urban resource for use by community residents and families.  A transformative project providing a much-needed urban recreational trail for joggers, walkers, cyclists and in-line skaters, it has quickly become a destination in its own right and a catalyst for reinvestment in adjacent properties.

The over one-mile greenway provides non-motorized trail connections between east side neighborhoods and the residential towers of Lafayette Park to the west and from the Detroit River and its parks north to the Eastern Market. 

Planned as part of a much larger regional greenway system, the Cut includes a 20-foot wide bituminous path; vehicular and pedestrian access ramps to accommodate the 25 foot grade difference; a monitored security system with cameras and emergency phone call boxes; pedestrian lighting along the path and custom-designed signage. Unique to the Cut is the art of internationally recognized graffiti artists whose work on abandoned bridge abutments was purposely preserved during the transformation and is being maintained. 

Firm: Conservation Design Forum

Client: Pokagon Band of the Potawatomi Indians

Project Title: Pokagon Edawat Residential Community

Project Location: Dowagiac, MI

Background

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Edawat Residential Community is the Band’s first new mixed-use housing development. Officially recognized as a Native American tribe by the United States government only in 1994, the Band was denied the services and benefits afforded to Native Americans until that time. Once recognized, the Band prioritized their needs, and determined that new housing was one of the more critical issues to be addressed. They decided to locate new homes on one of the land parcels that the Band owned due to its location and proximity to services. This 320-acre parcel is located near Dowagiac, Michigan, and was previously leased to a local farmer for row crop production - corn and soybeans. The Band secured a US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant for an initial phase, and then sought planning, design, and technical assistance to develop the community.

Sustainable Approach

The consultant team helped the Band appreciate the careful design of homes in concert with the community design. A set of guiding sustainable principles tailored to the Band’s mission benefits tribal members for many generations (a cultural priority as well as sustainable practice) and at the same time is restorative to their land resource. They were excited to learn that the land development process, normally viewed as environmental destruction, could actually help restore the site to a healthy ecological process while benefiting the people live there, as well as the plants and animals. 

Cultural Sustainability

Following the Band’s Tribal Mission to provide a high quality of life to its members while preserving Mother Earth, the design melds the Band’s cultural preferences with ecological practice. The neighborhood plan was designed to provide a cultural identity to the land that supports the Band’s way of life and demonstrate sustainable practices to the larger community.  Edawat was designed to blend with the surroundings, building off unique topographic and landscape features the site offers. The neighborhood is an integrated system of restored native Michigan woodlands, prairies, and wetlands that allow access to the natural areas with walking paths.

Neighborhood

The social life of the tribal members was a primary factor in the design of the land plan - it was important that community gathering and socializing spaces were convenient to each home, and visible, so that members could choose to visit with their neighbors when they saw them outside, a sign that invites interaction. Private space was also important, both indoors and out. Tribal members wanted to be connected to the outdoors, and to have ample access to the beauty of the surrounding land. Residences are clustered in small neighborhoods of 20-30 homes and are oriented around a small commons visible from front porches.  The first neighborhood includes a community house where tribal members can gather, have a coffee, and chat with neighbors without having to drive beyond the community. Eventually, this function will be relocated to the village center, a mixed-use neighborhood planned within the community that will include attached, maintenance-free (for residents) housing choices, shops and services, health care, and other amenities.

Human Scale

Each home is situated on a lot that is small by typical subdivision standards, but lives quite large. Each home has a public side (the front), with a porch facing the lane, and the community space across the lane.  The front porch’s close proximity to the lane invites interaction, and gives a comfortable feel more for walking. Attached garages are set back to avoid the typical suburban “garage-scape”. Each home has a private side (the rear), facing common woodlands or prairie, which is being restored by stewarding as part of a larger landscape. Through close coordination and careful placement of the floor plan, buffers and windows of every home, back porches and patios were nestled in a secluded setting, out of view from neighboring homes. 

Community Attributes

The neighborhoods are grouped around a large central green that preserves and highlights the unique glacial landscape of kettles and depressions, a constant reminder of the natural forces that shaped the land. A small community center containing shops and services within walking distance from the homes is planned for one end of the green. The sidewalk lined streets have well-marked crosswalks and connect to walking paths linking each neighborhood and to the larger restored native landscapes.

Inclusion through Accessibility

The first neighborhood is home to the tribe elders.  The homes were design to have all of the primary living space on one floor, incorporating universal design principles. Homes in the second neighborhood are more suited to families.  One community goal is to offer homes for all ages and family types, so people will be able to stay within the community as they age and their needs change. Several homesites within each neighborhood are purposely reserved and kept open should extended family members wish to build an adjacent home in the future.

Ecologically-based Approach

The plan also includes leading edge sustainable infrastructure to serve the Band over the long term. The site’s natural topography and drainage were preserved, and became the framework for layout of the neighborhoods. Soil compaction was minimized by avoiding the conventional mass-graded site. Existing woodlands and fencerows were preserved to provide habitat cover, shade, and an established feel.

Green Infrastructure

Since the Band will own, operate, maintain and steward the entire site in perpetuity, it was important that all streets, sidewalks, and landscapes be durable, and cost-effective while providing beauty. Edawat’s sustainable site infrastructure design strategies provide environmental enhancement and long-term value. All rainwater is valued as a resource. Roof runoff is directed to rain gardens, planted with native grasses and flowering perennials. Many of the streets are interlocking concrete unit pavers, which are more durable and are less maintenance than asphalt or concrete. The pavement design is an essential aspect of the green site design. The narrow lanes and carriage walks minimize pavement, and calms traffic speeds for a walk-able setting. Runoff is directed to bioswales for cleansing and infiltration; internal lanes have flat ribbon curbs to allow rain to sheet off the edge, avoiding concentration of runoff.

Habitat Restoration

The community development plan is successful in supporting the restoration of healthy habitat for native plants, birds, beneficial insects, and other organisms. The primary reason is much of it was used for industrial row crop farming, an ecologically-damaging land use. By restoring natural hydrology to slow, cool, cleanse, and infiltrate rainwater, native landscapes could be re-established. Fifty acres of remnant woodlands were thinned and opened to sunlight, allowing native ground flora to flourish again. Open fields were seeded with prairie, and all native landscapes are designed to be managed with annual controlled burning; a tool Pokagon ancestors used as part of their cultural connection to the land to ensure its’ bounty. These strategies help to restore diversity, stability, and a balanced landscape of beautify for the people of this land. The yards and gardens are small; other than a few lawn areas in the common space, most of the home landscapes are native systems, and intended to be managed with controlled fire.

Landscape Design Merit Award Winners :

Firm: Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc.

Client: City of Birmingham

Project Title: Booth Park

Project Location: Birmingham, MI

With: Wade-Trim & Associates, Inc.

CHILDREN PLAY AREA-This aerial view demonstrates how the play area was cut and nestled into the earth. The top area of the image shows a park entry from the Mill Pond Neighborhood. Entering from the high side of the site the visitor has the opportunity to descend into the lower portion of the play area by staircase or ramp or travel through the upper area by a series of bridges with a destination to the artificial turf hill with tunnel underneath.	PLAYSCAPE AERIAL- The playscape area was installed with the help of various members of the community, providing a sense of pride and ownership among the residents.  The overall design creatively integrates tunnels, bridges, ladders, slides, and climbing apparatuses to give the children the most memorable experience during their visit.	WAVE WALL LAWN- The manipulated landforms are seamlessly woven into the landscape alongside the fluid form of the masonry wall to simulate waves.

LABYRINTH GARDEN- One of the most popular features for the children is the artificial turf hill. Another prominent feature is the children’s labyrinth seen just beyond the turf hill. This maize like path is defined by ornamental grasses, spirea, yews and boxwood shrubs. The center chamber features massive granite outcroppings where the young ones can climb or sit in two granite chairs.	GRANITE OUTCROPPINGS- Granite boulders and outcroppings are positioned in a random pattern. A child scaled passage is formed by spanning a lintel piece across two boulders. The very center features two small seats carved from a single piece of granite.	COMMUNITY USE- The greatest success of Booth Park is how it serves its community. The once underutilized piece of land is now transformed into an active and memorable space that exercises the body and refreshes the soul. It has been transformed into a landmark and ‘destination’ within the City of Birmingham.

PROJECT PURPOSE

With the passage of a multimillion dollar recreational bond issue and identified in its Recreational Master Plan the underutilized Booth Park was targeted for improvement. This four acre parcel is located at the north edge of the central business district and is adjacent to the farmer’s market, a shopping district and bistro restaurants. The property which is bordered by Rouge River to the south and the Mill Pond Subdivision to the west also contains the north trail head of the city wide path system that runs along the Rouge River to the southern portion of town.

The purpose of the project was to develop this strategically located but underused property to a neighborhood park. Amenities would include riverbank restoration, community built playground, sledding hill, amphitheater hill for summer concerts and the enhancement of the trailhead access.

CONCEPT

In concept the park was divided into three major use areas: A.) the children’s play area, B.)  the open lawn sledding hill/amphitheater and C.) The riverbank treatment/trail system.

THE CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

The playground was developed in a manner that creatively integrates manipulated landforms. The northern portion of the site was carved out allowing for an artificial turf hill with tunnel, bridges, ladders, slides and climbing apparatus. Excess fill was utilized to build a sledding hill which also serves as lawn seating for summer concerts.

The riverbank was stabilized to restore the river and reduce sedimentation. Limestone outcroppings and soft engineering such as large rootwads and willow plantings were integrated within the design.

A rain garden was designed to allow for storm water retention which included an overflow and native type plantings.

As a key entrance to the City’s heavily-used Rouge River greenway system, invasive plant species were removed and replaced with native plantings along the river. A simple but straightforward path was extended from the park proper to reinforce and announce the start of the nature walk.

ROLE OF THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

After a few years of planning and community interaction the Landscape Architect of Record joined forces with a local landscape architect. This alliance fortified the creative design aspect and allowed more effective interface and exchange of ideas with a powerful grass root neighborhood movement. The group’s mission was to raise and add $150,000 to the City’s overall 1 million dollar budget for the purpose of creating a community-built play area.

In addition to the community interface the landscape architects were responsible for all planning, design, contract documentation and implementation of the project.

LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE

The important contribution was the landscape architect’s ability to work with various neighborhood committees and city departments to secure funding and provide guidance throughout the construction process.

The teamwork under the direction of the landscape architects provided a powerful sense of community pride and ownership in this project. The fallow four acre piece of land was transformed into a community asset that when used provides a memorable experience for people of all ages. The park is now an important community landmark that is a magnet for play, concerts, and walking. Equally important there becomes a community interface with its natural resources including the open space, river, vegetation and the City’s walking trail.

Firm: Conservation Design Forum

Client: The Kresge Foundation

Project Title: The Kresge Foundation Headquarters

Project Location: Troy, MI

With: Valerio Dewalt Train Associates, Farr Associates, Progressive AE, ARUP and WH Canon, Contractor

Purpose

The 2.75-acre headquarters in Troy, Michigan demonstrates the Kresge Foundation’s mission to create a sustainable future, to inspire adaptive retrofits, and to restore a healthy habitat. The headquarters is home to up to 50 employees, and strategically provides a model for all Kresge grant recipients to learn about sustainable design. The new building and site provide unprecedented amounts of natural light, clean air, and a strong connection to water and plants from the interiors. The ecological objectives were to create naturalistic systems of hydrology and landscape in a way that restores a healthy water-based landscape. The owner’s desire to pursue a LEED rating inspired the design team to work together throughout the process to achieve the highest LEED rating possible – Platinum.

The character of the new facility is established by what was an existing mid-1800s fieldstone farmhouse and barn juxtaposed with multiple shed-like historic farm structures. The new 2-story structure is a series of glass, concrete and steel facades oriented amongst a central sunken courtyard - “the green spine.”  Because the new building is set low to the landscape, the site maintained its original farmstead character, and the naturalized plantings evoke a stylized sense of the Midwestern prairie. Approximately 63% of the total site is vegetated open space, planted with native and adapted species.

The project features an integrated rain water plan.  Most of the rainwater falls onto either planted surfaces or porous pavement, however water from the upper roofs, the courtyard and wetland are collected in a 15,000 gallon cistern.  The collected water replenishes wetland water levels to keep it a consistent elevation protecting the vegetation from flash changes in water level. Run on a moisture sensor, the rain water also drip irrigates the four green roofs. These semi-intensive green roofs, planted with grasses, blend seamlessly with ground surface plantings. Careful evaluation and integration of green development techniques throughout the design process resulted in a building that provides its occupants a strong connection to a living environment, and a striking contrast to its traditionally designed neighbors.

Problem Solving Process

Integration between disciplines requires regular communication, feedback, and respect for deadlines. Conservation Design Forum (CDF) participated in weekly calls with various team members throughout the process, and regularly communicated with the landscape contractor during the CD phase. Because Kresge chose a “design-build” scenario, the general contractor was brought onto the team during the design phase. This helped generate accurate cost estimating and successful communication of the intended new technologies.

Local Significance

The site for the Kresge Headquarters facility is a historic farmstead set within a highly developed suburban context. Historic aerial photographs illustrate that the area surrounding the site was industrial agriculture in the recent past until the late 1970’s, at which time the entirety of the site environs had been developed with office or commercial buildings and surface parking lots. The site is a small oasis within this larger suburban-scale, corporate landscape virtually devoid of ecological function.

The long-term potential for the Kresge facility can go beyond the restoration of ecological health on-site. The City of Troy approved at least one other retrofit of a conventional corporate site to a more sustainable, ecosystem-based landscape. The City’s plans and policies are evolving to embrace sustainable practices. They have held up the Kresge project as a successful example of alternative development practices, and now encourage land owners and developers to incorporate these practices into their projects. In fact, the City approved of the Foundation’s first prairie burn in the spring of 2009.

At the Kresge Headquarters the traditional definition of “open space” has been blurred; the site ecology strategy was to incorporate ecological function into practically every portion of the site, whether rooftop, paved surface, or landscape. The site development programming weave together indoor and outdoor spaces, so that most of the site is healthy habitat for people, plants, beneficial insects and birds.

Firm: Professional Engineering Associates, Inc.

Client: McLaren Health Care Corporation

Project Title: Garden of Healing and Renewal

Project Location: Independence Township, MI

Bowl Fountain: photo by Mark Bialek Young Visitors find a play opportunity at one of the garden’s water features	Labyrinth: photo by Mark Bialek The labyrinth is designed with principals of spiritual geometry. Four custom stone engravings anchor the corners of a square that enclose the circular labyrinth.  Four White Spire Birch trees form an alternate square and mark the cardinal directions.	Garden and Benches: photo by Jeffrey T. Smith Dozen of benches specifically designed for an elderly population are provided along curved pathways to offer a variety of sun exposure options for users throughout the day as well as opportunities to socialize.

Wall Fountain: photo by Jeffrey T. Smith A fountain wall with local artisan tiles, ornate bronze scuppers, and falling water offers a positive distraction for users and masks the noise of the bustling community that surrounds the gardens.	Contemplation Area: photo by Jeffrey T. Smith The Contemplation area is bathed in cool green plants, but accented by bright red benches and contrasting boulders and stones. Wind chimes hang from trees in this area and elsewhere throughout the site to provide soothing background music.	Sculpture: photo by Jeffrey T. Smith Over a dozen whimsical sculptures add interest and pleasant surprises to be found along the pathways on the site.

The Garden of Healing and Renewal in Independence Township, MI is a unique healing garden that represents an immense contribution to the healthcare community by expanding the potential for therapeutic gardens.  The garden serves not only the adjacent medical buildings, but the community at large which is extremely rare for therapeutic gardens. At four acres in size it’s amongst the largest healing gardens in the nation yet it remains an intimate space in function. Its expansive size and integration with nature, diversity of therapeutic amenities, and its overall beauty serve as a leading example of successful therapeutic design. 

From the onset of the project, the Landscape Architects at Professional Engineering Associates, Inc. were given a substantial leadership role in planning the size, scope, and location of the healing garden.  This important role redefined the course of the project.  The initial vision of the owner was to provide a small patio style healing garden to serve just one building in the medical campus that would have up to a dozen buildings including a regional hospital.  This traditional approach would have been a lost opportunity to provide significant social and environmental benefits.  However, creating a four acre healing garden on what would have been a prime building location was a significant departure from the client’s original vision which was based on typical healing garden designs.  Selection of this prime area for the healing garden, instead of extraneous space on the campus, protected natural features that were slated for removal and provided ample space for diverse amenities.  It also created a unique opportunity to provide a healing resource for the community.  The design intent was to develop a space with a private, secure atmosphere, while remaining inviting to the public.  The Landscape Architects coordinated the garden location with pedestrian circulation routes and worked with community planners to provide connections to regional pathways.

The Landscape Architects held the primary role in developing the therapeutic design program.  The program was based on input from the healthcare provider and key community members, along with extensive research in order to provide evidence based design.  The primary challenge was to develop a program that satisfied the needs of a group as broad as the community at large while still addressing the needs of patients from the cancer center, heart center, and main hospital.  The final design program was to provide coping and restoring mechanisms to help reduce ailments resulting from stress such as anxiety, depression, and over excitement.  The Landscape Architects created resources to address these ailments by designing features that offer a sense of control, opportunities for exercise, space to visit or socialize, and access to nature and positive distractions.

The healing garden was meticulously designed by the Landscape Architects at PEA to address the therapeutic program for the project.  Design elements were first designed to serve their healing function based on evidence of functional success, but also to provide a high level of aesthetic beauty.  Visitors are greeted by a series of “outdoor rooms”.  Each space has a distinct character that serves a specific therapeutic function. A labyrinth provides opportunities for meditative exercise which has many known therapeutic benefits.  A sensory garden provides thousands of ornamental plants clustered in complimentary arrangements that harmonize color, texture, and form throughout the four seasons.  Several decorative fountains offer positive distractions and soothing background noise.  A social space offers seating for up to twenty people at moveable tables and chairs so small groups can gather or eat meals outside.  A quiet area for contemplation, in contrast to the social space, offers just two benches arranged for intimate conversation in a peaceful area of the site. 

The garden itself is nearly four acres in size which is amongst the largest therapeutic gardens in the nation. The expansive scale of the garden not only preserves valuable natural features, but also provides several highly effective stress reduction mechanisms such as exercise and access to nature that would not be possible in a typical courtyard style healing garden.  The resources include a half mile of paved pathways, a portion of that being a quarter mile trail that loops through existing woodlands, wetlands, and meadow.

On a typical day, there is a steady stream of visitors to the site.  Employees of the adjacent healthcare facilities, local residents, and people who work nearby have incorporated a visit to the garden into their daily routines as a source for respite, exercise, or daily meditation.  Medical staff are often witness to the testimonials of patients who convey how the garden has been a positive influence upon their lives.  One such instance involved a patient with esophageal cancer who shared how he regularly meditates in the garden and walks the labyrinth to relax before his treatments.  He gratefully expressed how his daily exercise at the garden has strengthened him beyond what he would have expected at this point in his treatment.

The Garden of Healing and Renewal represents a progressive design that required broad vision and in-depth planning to serve both healthcare patients and the community. The success of this design shall serve as a model that other healthcare providers may follow in the future in order to better provide for the health of their patients, communities, and the environment.

Landscape Planning & Analysis Honor Award Winner:

Firm: Conservation Design Forum

Client: Kent County Parks

Project Title: Millennium Park Master Plan Update 2006

Project Location: Kent County, Michigan

With: Bazzani Associates, Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Pollack Design Associates and Progressive AE

Purpose

As western Michigan’s largest park, Millennium Park furthers Kent County Park’s mission and vision to “enhance the quality of life in Kent County by establishing and maintaining outstanding parks to meet the needs of the county’s growing population.” The 1,500-acre park is a local amenity recognized for innovation, sustainability, and community benefit. The park was formerly a series of mineral extraction sites and industrial lands.  It is now a setting for trails, swimming, water play, fishing, and other passive recreational pursuits. As with any project of this scale the planning and implementation process is an on-going activity.

This Master Plan 2006 is an update to the original 2001 Millennium Park Master Plan and guides the expansion and long-term stewardship of the park. The plan is based upon the “Millennium Standard” – a set of guiding principles for future park improvements that is grounded in economics, social well-being, and environmental considerations. The Millennium Park Master Plan is a synthesis of these seven interrelated principles that form the decision-making structure to evaluate, plan, design, construct, manage, and operate each component of the park as each element is funded.

A unifying aspect to the master plan is the creation of four distinct Districts that create a unique identity and overall framework for various park zones. These districts named for their distinct site characteristics include:

• The Metropolitan District (for the proximity to Grand Rapids and the Zoo)
• The Norton Mounds District (for their archeological significance),
• The Lakeside District, and (for its open water amenities and programs)
• The Countryside District (for a pastoral environment).

Problem Solving Process

The process to develop this master plan update was initiated in the spring of 2006 when a team of consultants was retained to assist Kent County to revisit and update an old park plan. The visioning process provided clarity for master planning, which was focused primarily on providing answers to the following interrelated questions:

• What park amenities and facilities should be included in the park?

• Where should these amenities and/or facilities be located?

• How should these amenities and/or facilities be prioritized?

• How should the park landscape be restored and stewarded according to ecological principles?

• What methods should be employed in the detailed design and construction of each park component in order to be financially and ecologically sustainable?

The planning process incorporated the following steps:

1. Review and interpret the data and mapping

2. Organize and conduct a stakeholder interview process.

3. Evaluation and prioritization of all proposed park programs and features.  

4. Develop a set of guiding principles - “The Millennium Standard”.

5. Prepare the draft master plan.

6. Open the draft for a public comment period and open house.

7. Finalize the master plan vision for formal adoption by the Kent County Board.

During the analysis the team understood the park’s relationship to the greater Grand River watershed and impacts of the park on downstream neighbors.  Additionally historic land survey notes from 1831 revealed a Native American trail and kiosk within the site.  The kiosk location is celebrated by a new program use in the master plan. The result of this process is a master plan that is a living document. It establishes some park elements to ensure it remains a high quality destination, while allowing flexibility to accommodate programs and activities that will evolve over time as the surrounding communities grow and benefit from Millennium Park.

Special Factors

The master plan process included an intensive stakeholder interview process of more than twenty groups, which ultimately allowed the team to build consensus.  The information gathered played a role in determining the park’s final vision and layout. In part, because the team listened to each group’s desire, the final concept was met with a unanimous vote of approval from the County Board.

Because of the project’s size, aerial reconnaissance via airplane allowed the team to uncover exceedingly rare remnant natural areas worthy of further field investigation. One such area discovered was a rare fen which comprises of 95% of those plant species found native to Kent County. Due to the fen’s very unique combination of soil type, water chemistry, and stable hydrology, fens are home to a rich plant palette found in no other habitat.  Furthermore, “The Fen” and other found remnants, clearly illustrate the critical connection between land, hydrology, and stewardship practice.