Sustainable/LEED Landscaping

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1 Sustainable/LEED Landscaping Case Study: The Sora House Land Architects, Inc. Craig Terrell & Allison Clements

2 The Sora House (Goal: LEED Platinum Certification) Client Goals LOW MAINTENANCE & minimal fall raking More green driveway Reuse rainwater somehow Informal natural gardens More inviting to spend time outdoors Native plants, wildflowers, ferns Room for a vegetable garden

3 Before

4 The Sora House (Goal: LEED Platinum Certification) LEED/Sustainability Requirements Reduce impervious and/or turf areas Reduce heat island effect Reduce stormwater runoff; Re-use rain water Use drought tolerant plantings Procure local materials (re-use existing materials) Procure minimally processed materials

5 Sustainable Landscape Projects: Reduce impervious surfaces (impermeable hardscape; reduce storm water-runoff) Reduce turf grass (reduce storm water-runoff) Capture and re-use rainwater Install LED Landscape Lighting Re-purpose/reduce construction waste Procure minimally processed & local products

6 Reduce impervious surfaces: Driveway/Terrace Options Permeable gravel installation (DIY) Sub-base is very important Maintenance: leaf blower (electric of course)

7 Reduce impervious surfaces: Permeable asphalt and concrete and sealed gravel $7-11 per sq. ft. (more than double impermeable) Vacuum maintenance Make sure installer is certified Permeable Pavers Traditional pavers with permeable joints and seams Similar price as traditional pavers (more $$ b/c of sub-base prep) Maintenance: leaf blower

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10 Reduce impervious surfaces: A2 Residential Stormwater Code Requirements Permit and management plan if increasing the site s impervious surfaces by more than 200 sq. ft. Examples of impervious surfaces include, but are not limited to, rooftops, walkways, patios, courtyards, driveways, parking lots, storage areas, concrete or asphalt paving, gravel roads, or any cleared, graded, graveled or compacted surfaces, or other surfaces which similarly impede the natural infiltration of surface water into the soil. Suggested treatment measures: rain barrels, rain gardens/bioretention areas, drywells, cisterns, swales, storage basins, and porous pavement.

11 Reduce turf grass: Good areas for conversion: Un-usable grass areas Steep slope Adjacent to roads/retaining walls (unsafe for traditional lawn use) Where grass won t grow Under trees Mowing/weed whip = root/bark damage Too shady or dry

12 Reduce turf grass: Convert turf areas to: Permeable hardscape areas Planting beds Drought tolerant Shade tolerant Mulched area Under trees

13 Capture and Re-use Rainwater Cistern systems Traditional (above and below ground) Catchment system (gutter or in-ground gutter) Conveyance to storage tank First Flush Diverter; Leaf Eater Pump and power supply Method of redistribution 3200 gal - $6200 for kit

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16 Capture and Re-use Rainwater Crate systems (below ground only) About the same cost as traditional tank crates are less expensive but site preparation and rubber liner is expensive. Rainwater pillows (above ground only)* Designed for crawl space, under deck/porch Cost: 3,000 gal = $4,200 for kit Rain Barrels Rain Gardens

17 Use LED Landscape Lighting LED More expensive initial expense Longer life: year life (no bulb changes) LOWER electric bills Lower installation costs typically Fewer transformers Less voltage loss over distance ROI: approximate 1-5 years

18 Final Sustainable/LEED Practices Re-purpose/reduce construction waste: Sora plant materials and asphalt Asphalt drive used as new drive sub-base Concrete walk re-used in retaining wall Transplanting Excavated clay soil to build berms Procure minimally processed & local products Under 500 miles

19 USE FREE LEAF MULCH!

20 Resources Access the Presentation at: Wickfield Ct., Ann Arbor, MI