A Designer s Prescription for Successful Maintenance Brian Slovacek, Principal Hitchcock Design Group Creating Better Places Our Our Mission Mission The Land Planners and Landscape Architects of Hitchcock Design Group are dedicated to Creating Better Places for people to live, work, play, heal and learn. Who We We Are Corporate Profile Profile Established in 1980 60-member staff Land Planning Landscape Architecture LEED Accredited 6 market-centered studios Offices in Naperville and Chicago, Illinois Serving the Midwest Region and beyond 1
Who We We Are Market-Centered Studios Studios Healthcare Studio Healthcare Studio Brian Slovacek Hospitals Medical office buildings Therapeutic and healing environments Healthcare campuses Principal & Project Manager 14 years of experience Licensed Landscape Architect Healing Garden Course Instructor, University of Illinois Member American Horticulture Therapy Association Hospital Engineering Society of Northeastern Illinois American Society of Landscape Architects 2
Replacement Facilities Replacement Facilities Views of Nature Views of and access to nature Healing Gardens Campus site plans Decentralization of specialties Sustainability and LEED Campus Master Plan 3
Replacement Facilities Campus site plans Decentralization of services Healing Gardens - Nature 4
Healing Gardens.More Than Just Turf Healing Gardens.More Than Just Turf Healing Gardens.More Than Just Turf 5
Healing Gardens - Water Features Healing Gardens - Water Features Healing Gardens Enhanced Front Doors 6
Healing Gardens Roof Gardens Healing Gardens Outdoor Waiting Areas Sustainability LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green is becoming mainstream Low carbon footprints 7
Sustainability Sustainability What does LEED mean to me? Sustainability What does LEED mean to me? Measuring Sustainability LEED Certification United States Green Building Council Goals Reduce energy consumption Healthier design and materials Less impact on the environment Recycle and reuse Measuring and rating system Less irrigation or none at all Recycled materials 8
Sustainability What does LEED mean to me? Sustainability What does LEED mean to me? Sustainability What does LEED mean to me? Recycled materials Shaded hardscape Storm Water Management-Bioswales and Infiltration Planters 9
Sustainability What does LEED mean to me? Sustainability What does LEED mean to me? Sustainability Green Roof Systems Storm Water Management-Infiltration Planters and Permeable Paving Storm Water Management-Permeable Paving Roof gardens Plants Growing Media Filter Fabric Drainage Layer (Insulation Layer) Protection Layer Waterproofing Roof Deck Extensive 6 of soil or less Intensive 6 of soil or more 10
Sustainability Green Roof Systems - Intensive Sustainability Green Roof Systems - Extensive Sustainability Native Plantings Ornamental Use 11
Sustainability Native Plantings Prairie Sustainability Native Plantings - Wetland Sustainability Native Plantings, No-mow Fescue 12
Design Process Your Role - Knowledge Design Process Your Role - Advocacy Design Process Be In The Know Talk to the Landscape Architect Attend programming meetings Ask for comparable photos Understand the design vision Attend design reviews Review the plans Ask questions Be an advocate for the Design Vision Explain the design to management and staff Provide oversight of the maintenance program and operations Consult the experts 13
Design Process Your Role - Advocacy Design Process Your Role Manage expectations Design Process Your Role Manage expectations Be an advocate for the Design Vision Educate staff, visitors and neighbors about native planting establishment Sleep Creep Leap Tell the story of sustainability and native plantings 14
Design Process Your Role Manage expectations Getting it Done Maintenance Companies Mow and Blow Contractors Tell the story of sustainability and native plantings Getting it Done Disadvantages Frequent staff turnover Tough to support design vision Often ill equipped to fix landscape problems Lack of horticultural knowledge 15
Getting it Done Maintenance Companies Mow and Blow Contractors Getting it Done Maintenance Companies Design, Build and Maintenance Firms Getting it Done Maintenance Companies Design, Build and Maintenance Firms Advantages Fairly reliable Inexpensive (per square foot) Competent for lawn mowing Disadvantages More expensive (per square foot) Advantages Support design vision Equipped to fix landscape problems Less turnover = long-term relationship Efficiency meeting your expectations Equipped to handle variety of maintenance needs 16
Getting it Done Maintenance Companies Native Area Stewardship Contractors Getting it Done Maintenance Companies Native Area Stewardship Contractors Getting it Done Maintenance Companies Scope of Work Disadvantages Most expensive (per square foot) Concentrate on only one area of the campus Finding a good contractor Advantages Support the design vision Less turnover = long-term relationship Passionate about native areas Experts in good horticulture practice 17
Getting it Done Common Mistakes Hire the Correct Contractor Getting it Done Common Mistakes Hire an Arborist Getting it Done Common Mistakes Use the Correct Contractor Misunderstanding design vision (or lack thereof) Wasted energy Wasted dollars 18
Getting it Done Common Mistakes Misunderstanding the Design Vision Getting it Done Common Mistakes Misunderstanding the Design Vision Getting it Done Common Mistakes Shearing vs. Pruning 19
Getting it Done Common Mistakes Shearing vs. Pruning Getting it Done Common Mistakes Pruning at the wrong time Getting it Done Common Mistakes Pruning at the right time 20
Getting it Done Common Mistakes Mulch Issues Getting it Done Common Mistakes Mulch Issues - Volcanoes Getting it Done Common Mistakes Mulch Issues Root flare 21
Getting it Done Common Mistakes Mulch Issues Root flare Getting it Done Common Mistakes Mulch Issues Root flare Getting it Done Common Mistakes Plant Establishment 22
Getting it Done Common Mistakes Too Much Irrigation Surviving the Warranty Period 23
Existing Trees During Construction Existing Trees During Construction Existing Trees During Construction Preconstruction tree care Hire an arborist Deep root watering Fertilizing Root pruning Strategic crown pruning Protection and enforcement One chance for preservation Financial penalties for damage Diligent monitoring 24
Canadian Geese Salt Damage Long Lasting Materials 25
Wood Fences and Steel Posts Correct Plants in Proper Locations Correct Plants in Proper Locations 26
Establishing Native Plants - Mowing Establishing Native Plants Mow Limit Markers Establishing Native Plants Proper Stewardship 27
Beds with Larger Curves Incorporate Trees Into Beds Snow Storage Parking Garage 28
Allow for Vehicle Overhang and Snow Storage Topsoil in Construction Sites Two Feet Deep in Planting Beds Edges Spade Edges 29
Edges Native Planting Area Transitions Edges Native Planting Area Transitions Edges Native Planting Area Transitions 30
Unit Paving Rigid Underlayment Unit Paving Mortared What to Irrigate 31
Soggy Areas Budgets Resources Approximate cost per acre - ornamental Approximate cost per acre native Lifetime costs of natives and mown turf Local Agriculture Extension Offices Arboreta Botanic Gardens Universities Sustainability Agencies - USGBC 32
THANK YOU! Brian Slovacek, Principal Hitchcock Design Group 33