Site Design

The CSL building is located on a 2.9 acre remediated brownfield lot, formerly used as a storage facility and service yard for Pittsburgh's Department of Public Works. Nestled against a 30-foot slope behind the Tropical Forest Conservatory and Production Greenhouses, the site had significant geographical restrictions with respect to orientation and location that had to be overcome. The integration of the CSL building, located 30 feet below the conservatory, was also necessary to provide a seamless experience to campus visitors.

The Concept that made CSL a Living Building

BEFORE

AFTER

Site Landscaping

A terraced garden through which visitors can walk leads downhill from the roof of CSL to its ground level. The garden incorporates indigenous plants and soil, with more drought resistant plants at the upper levels, and more water intensive plants at the lower levels, where water is more abundant. The soil is composed of three distinct layers, the topmost one comprising organic material to encourage plant growth. The second and third layers encourage retention of moisture and infiltration of water to the ground table respectively, carefully preserving both the plant growth and the water table. Five dedicated rain gardens help in managing stormwater within the site.

Image Reference:[1] https://ikminc.com/thinking-green-well/center-for-sustainable-landscapes/[2] Building In Bloom by Mary Adam Thomas (Diagram credits: Joe-Cooper Silvis, The Think Tank Group, Inc.)[3] Before and After Images - Building In Bloom by Mary Adam Thomas

Report abuse