LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IN ILLINOIS 2017
PRESIDENT'S LETTER 1 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
PRESIDENT’S LETTER 2 017 I L A S L A Y E A R I N R E V I E W
Dear Colleagues, Collaborators, and Friends,
AWARDS CRITERIA
I am proud to present CELEBRATION+ and FOLIO 2017. We are celebrating the award-winning work of Illinois firms, individuals, and students in design, communication, planning & analysis, and research for our built and natural environments.
I want to especially thank all the committee chairs and committee members that worked together to make this event and publication possible. I also want to thank our sponsors as they help us continue to be able to have events like CELEBRATION+.
The Wisconsin Chapter ASLA juried this year’s awards. There are 20 award winning projects in the President’s, Honor, Merit, and Jensen Awards categories.
This is your organization, so I encourage you all to be involved. You can chair or support a committee, or even run for office. We need your help!
Our profession is varied. We work from the ground to the rooftop, city to the country, and the built environment to the natural places. Our work positively impacts people’s everyday interactions. We continue to advance the profession and take landscape architecture into new public and private spaces.
Outreach is extremely important as we move forward. I challenge each of you to reach out and talk to the public about what we do. Start a conversation with someone new. Let them know how Landscape Architecture impacts their life. Reach out to non-member Landscape Architects and start a conversation about the benefits of joining the chapter. If we make that commitment we can double the size of our organization and vastly increase our impact. We are powerful when we act together.
RIVER EDGE IDEAS LAB ARGYLE SHARED STREET DETROIT EAST RIVERFRONT FRAMEWORK PLAN NEW MALCOLM X COLLEGE CAMPUS THE WILD MILE VISION 2020 59 0 W EST M AD ISO N P O C K ET PAR K B I S O N ’ S B L U F F N AT U R E P L AYG R O U N D C H ICAGO WH EAT PR AIRIE CITY GARDENS C O U R T YA R D R E S I D E N C E SWIFT HALL CLOISTER GARDEN
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J.H.R. ON BEER BARON ROW LAKE VIEW NORTH BRANCH FRAMEWORK PLAN RO BBI NS PAR K TH E PAR K AT W R I G LE Y TH E PRESERVE AT OAK M EADOWS WIU QUAD CITIES RIVERFRONT CAMPUS PAR K 56 4 BI G M AR SH PUBLIC RECOGNITION AWARD: DEBR A SHORE UNIVERSIT Y STUDENT AWARDS
We are a diverse group of all races, gender identities, religions, and ages… we are a passionate community of professionals working to connect people. What a great job to have!
ILASLA PRESIDENTS & ASLA FELLOWS ILASLA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ILASLA SUPPORTERS IMAGE CREDITS PRODUCTION NOTES
It is my honor to serve all the very talented professionals in our organization as the Chapter President. I serve with a dedicated group of tireless professionals (the elected officers, the committee chairs and members, and the executive director) that give freely of their time to help advance the profession. I want to thank all of them for their hard work.
Lastly, we all benefit from our profession holding a license in Illinois. We are peers with our allied professionals. As with all licenses in Illinois, they have a 10-year sunset. Along with our peers, we will continue to be involved in preserving licensure over the next year. Landscape Architects are licensed in all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and Guam. All but 3 states (Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maine) regulate the practice. Our job in the coming months
is to advocate for our license to remain as well as to upgrade to cover our practice. We have hired a lobbyist, introduced a bill, and are communicating with our allied professionals, but the work has only just begun. Please consider getting involved in this effort. We want future generations to look back and thank us for stepping up at his critical time. April is World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM). Make sure you highlight your projects on social media with the #WLAM2018 hashtag. It is my honor and privilege to present to you the award-winning projects for 2017. Congratulations to all our award winners!
Best,
Jack Pizzo ms, pla, asla, icn ILASLA President
2017
70% SUBURBAN & S TAT E - W I D E MEMBERS
ILASLA YEAR IN REVIEW
30
%
CHICAGO MEMBERS
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CONTINU IN G EDUCATION C REDITS OFFERED
INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS STRENGTHENED
American Institute of Architects (AIA) American Planning Association (APA)
700 42 M EM BERS AN D FRIEN DS REC EIVED A STREA M EM AIL EAC H WEEK
Garfield Park Conservatory
SPO NSO RSH IP PARTN ERS SU PPO RTED PROGR A M IN G AN D EVENTS
Illinois Green Industry Association (IGIA)
267K
I L-A S L A .O RG PAG E H ITS
471
AC T I V E MEMBERS
377 44 L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
A S S O C I AT E L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
35 16 A F F I L I AT E , C O R P O R AT E & H O N O R A RY MEMBERS
EMERITUS MEMBERS
FACEBOOK POST IMPRESSIONS
Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA)
45
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L I N K E D I N I M P R E SS I O N S
Ornamental Growers Association (OGA)
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C E L E B R AT I O N+ SUMMER MIXER O K TO B E R FE S T H O L I DAY S P R I T ZE R LEADERSHIP DINNER I N V I G O R AT E U
D E F E N D E D BY A TEAM OF IL ASL A VO L U N T E E R S A N D L O B BY I S T S
2 SCREENINGS AND R E C E P T I O N S F E AT U R I N G “B E FO R E T H E F L O O D ”
Illinois Institute of Technology, Landscape Architecture Program (IIT)
NETWORKING EVENTS
IN DUSTRY E VE NTS STAFFE D BY IL A SL A TO PROMOTE TH E PRO FESSI O N 1 AWA R D -W I N N I N G PA R K L E T FO R PA R K I N G DAY
University of Illinois (UIUC), Landscape Architecture Program
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ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ACT OF 1989
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CELEBR ATION+ AT TENDEES FR I DAY, A PR I L 21, 2 017
STU DENT OUTREAC H EVENTS AT U N IVERSITIES & H I GH SC H O O L S
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WITNESS SLIPS SUBMIT TED IN SUPPORT OF THE L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AC T O F 1989
AWA R D C R I T E R I A
PRESIDENT’S AWAR D
Only one President’s Award of Excellence may be given to a project in each entry category, and only when merited by the jury. This award is presented for an outstanding advancement of the landscape architecture profession, and for projects that exemplify the land stewardship ethic upon which the profession was founded.
HONOR AWAR D
Projects are honored with this distinction for superior professional achievement. Only 20 percent of the entries in any of the categories may earn this distinction.
MERIT AWAR D
Projects which demonstrate merit in design and environmental responsibility shall be given this distinction. Any number of entries in any of the categories may be given this award.
JENSEN AWAR D
Recognizes landscape architectural design that exemplifies the ideals and values of Jens Jensen. This category recognizes built or unbuilt projects that use native plants, employ ecological processes, reconnect people to the landscape, or contribute to the protection and management of natural resources. Only one award will be presented in this category annually.
The following categories were used to select this year’s awardwinning landscape architecture projects. The jury evaluated projects with consideration for quality and functionality of the design; relationship to context and stated program; environmental responsibility; and relevance to the profession, the public, and the environment.
DESI GN
Constructed: Recognizes constructed site-specific works of landscape architecture. Residential: Recognizes site-specific, built works of landscape architecture for residential use, whether single or multi-family; new construction or renovation. COM MU N I C ATI O NS
Recognizes achievements in communicating landscape architecture technology, theory, or practice to those within or outside the profession. Entries may include: documents on landscape architecture history, art, or technology; educational material for the non-technical consumer; events or public service; or material that increases awareness of landscape design, environmental, or conservation issues. BU R N HA M AWAR D FO R PLANNING AND ANALYSIS
Recognizes the wide variety of professional activities that lead to, guide, or evaluate landscape architectural design. Comprehensive plans, master plans, feasibility studies, and design guidelines and standards are examples of submittals for this category. R ESE ARC H
Recognizes research projects that identify, examine, and address challenges and problems that are resolved using solutions of value to the profession. Typical entries may include issues and relationships investigated with an explanation of methodology used. Research might include statistical or other analysis and demonstrate advancement of the body of knowledge of landscape architecture.
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Communications CLIENT
Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Metropolitan Planning Council P ROJ E C T T E A M
HomeMake Labs
RIVER EDGE IDEAS LAB SITE 6
The Chicago River Edge Ideas Lab is an exhibition of nine leading landscape architecture and architecture firms’ visions to reinvent Chicago’s second coast. Chicago has a long history of innovation on its rivers. Recent visioning, investments, and development along the riverfront serve as inspiration for the River Edge Ideas Lab, and as a demonstration of how riverfronts can be exciting hubs of entertainment, recreation, and business. Each firm created its vision for three iconic sites along the Chicago River, with each site representing a typical edge condition: a building edge, an open space edge, and a bridge edge. The challenge for each team was to seamlessly connect these edge conditions and provide inviting and active public spaces. The proposal by site design group, ltd., entitled “PULSE: Designed to move Chicago,” utilized vibrant colors and bold moves that reflect the concept’s energy and vivacity. PULSE seeks to build on Chicago’s diverse character by creating active spaces that attract all Chicagoans and
bring new life to the riverfront. PULSE creates a dynamic and energetic river edge that enhances the city’s sense of self through multipurpose networks and dedicated spaces to play, explore, and move.
The ideas demonstrate innovative concepts for placemaking and creating a continuous and accessible pedestrian and bicycle path with integrated open spaces along the Chicago River. The interconnected, sweeping forms that serve as the framework of PULSE represent synthesis, balance, and rhythm in vertical and horizontal planes. Three primary conduits create the skeleton; the Speed Trail serves as a high-paced, adrenaline-inducing path for bikers, runners, and other fast-moving human-powered movements; the Adventure Trail is a dynamic, interactive path that encourages activity through engagement and
play; and the Leisure Trail is a laid-back path for walkers, observers, and amblers. In addition to two-dimensional graphic illustrations, PULSE utilized virtual reality –accessible through a smart phone app used in conjunction with a free lens provided at the exhibit. Online tools, such as a video game-style interactive tour of the sites, and an animated video graphically demonstrate the concepts. The primary goal of the River Edge Ideas Lab is to help inform the next wave of riverfront investment. The exhibit encourages Chicagoans to examine the ideas and share their opinions about the best and most engaging concepts. Ultimately, the ideas and public input will inform a set of river edge design guidelines applicable to future development projects along the Chicago River.
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HONOR AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2016 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
2 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
Chicago Department of Transportation P ROJ E C T T E A M
Burns & McDonnell
A R GY L E S H A R E D S T R E E T SITE 8
Located in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, Argyle Shared Street is a shared-use, pedestrian-prioritizing streetscape that celebrates green infrastructure, accessibility, economic development, and encourages a sense of community for Uptown’s diverse residents, businesses, and institutions. Beginning in 2013, alongside communitywide initiatives to reinvigorate Uptown while keeping it affordable, the City of Chicago initiated the replacement of Argyle Street for a three-block area between North Broadway and Sheridan Road. Through a collaborative design process led by Burns & McDonnell and site design group, ltd. with the Chicago Department of Transportation, it became clear that due to the scale and context of the streetscape, Argyle would be an excellent candidate for a forward-thinking “shared street” that prioritized the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users while accommodating vehicles. The design creates a plaza-like feel by raising the street,
eliminating raised curbs, and making the streetscape universally accessible.
The traditional “transportation pyramid” is inverted to prioritize pedestrians rather than vehicles. Bump-outs, narrower vehicle lanes, and the use of chicanes help users to utilize the street safely, not only by slowing down traffic, but by encouraging eye contact between users negotiating passage. Varying unit paver patterns and colors separate pedestrian-only from shared areas, including detectable warning pavers that delineate parking lanes. Contrasting colored pavers are used for crosswalks in the “shared area” – the portion of the roadway traditionally dedicated only to cars. Widened pedestrian-only areas provide room for sidewalk cafes and gathering.
The street features a number of sustainable elements, including energy efficient streetlights, permeable unit pavers, and raingarden infiltration planters that are designed to soak up rainwater and showcase native plants. Argyle is also one of four pilot projects in which a research team is monitoring the performance of green infrastructure. Sensors in the raingardens deliver real-time data about the effectiveness of the system, and are expected to provide valuable insights that will inform the design of future green infrastructure in Chicago. The project is a vivid example of green infrastructure and multi-modal streetscape development that prioritizes safety, accessibility, flexibility for community programming and special events, and lays the foundation for neighborhood economic development.
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HONOR AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Detroit, MI S I ZE
2.2 miles P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Planning & Analysis CLIENT
City of Detroit, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy P ROJ E C T T E A M
DETROIT EAST RIVERFRONT FR A MEWORK PL AN SOM 10
McIntosh Poris, Giffels Webster, Kraemer Design Group, AKT Peerless, Rich & Associates, E. Austell Associates
Building on a 10-year initiative of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, SOM led a team that partnered with the City and the community to revitalize 2.2 miles of Detroit’s historic but long-neglected East Riverfront District, which parallels the Detroit River immediately adjacent to downtown.
A dynamic, expansive area, the riverfront has long served as a place of opportunity and engagement for Detroiters: its uses range from dining and nightlife to daytime recreation and fishing. The framework plan was designed to reflect this social and ecological diversity. The Detroit East Riverfront Framework Plan is democratic and resident-driven, with an emphasis on ecology, stormwater
reuse, and social equity. The project team designed a plan to preserve riverfront land and wetlands for public use, create greater access to the Detroit River for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods, and spur human-scale, mixed-use development while maximizing adaptive reuse. The framework calls for a continuous public riverfront pedestrian experience; the erosion of barriers between nearby neighborhoods using two new greenways for non-motorized access; and three previously planned development sites totaling eight acres to become key features of a contiguous 40-acre park. Two new “Dequindre Cut” type greenways perpendicular to the riverfront will connect several Eastside neighborhoods to the Detroit Riverwalk completing an uninterrupted 3.5-mile experience from Joe Louis Arena to Belle Isle Bridge. Reduced lanes, enhanced crosswalks at key intersections, and protected bike lanes will support local businesses and improve safety and mobility options, making
it easier and safer for residents to access the East Riverfront. Using inclusive and accessible design principles, the project team worked closely with the City of Detroit and the Riverfront Conservancy to shape an achievable vision for an open, sustainable, and public East Riverfront district for all. Driven by the client’s vision and shaped by the community, the Detroit East Riverfront Framework Plan commits to creating an open public riverfront in perpetuity; to the strategic use of sustainably landscaped parks, big and small; to a focus on prioritizing long-term community benefits over private development along the riverfront; to a multi-faceted, world-class approach; and to immediate implementation.
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HONOR AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2016 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
10 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
City Colleges of Chicago P ROJ E C T T E A M
NEW MALCOLM X COLLEGE CAMPUS HITCHCOCK DESIGN GROUP
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Moody Nolan, Desman, Infrastructure Engineering Inc., FRS Design, Fountain Technologies, Clark Construction, McKissack & McKissack, Old Veteran Construction, F.H. Paschen, Christy Webber Landscapes, Green Crew, JM Irrigation
The new Malcolm X College (MXC) is City Colleges of Chicago’s first major step in re-envisioning how to best deliver career education for high-demand jobs. The design team’s task was to create a campus with a strong, professional vibe, a “heart,” and a true neighborhood anchor.
The project goals were to foster social interaction through healthy, stress-reducing exterior spaces, create a diverse, native, urban-tolerant ecosystem, and incorporate durable materials and sustainable practices. Hitchcock Design Group’s role was to lead the site improvements for the 4-block campus surrounding the new building and parking garage. Unifying seatwalls and unit paving extend through the main entry, student plazas, and east commons. Diverse plantings provide
shade, enclosure, and seasonal interest. Waterwalls serve as focal points, their melodic splashing mitigating adjacent traffic noise. Site lighting through pedestrian poles, niche LED seatwall fixtures, and accent lighting provides security lighting in a subtle manner. Supporting the project goal to achieve LEED Gold, underground storage tanks, bio-infiltration soils, permeable pavers, and green roofs collect between 6.7 and 8.5 million gallons of stormwater annually. Roof rainwater and HVAC condensate are collected in a 34,260-gallon underground storage tank, where it is filtered and used for site irrigation. Plantings of over 75 species are 95 percent Illinois natives. A one-acre green roof incorporates prairie and woodland plantings, including four oak trees. The third-floor green roof is MXC’s “heart.” Two custom seating areas serve as outdoor classrooms, with the balance of the area framed by seatwall planters and a mix of movable tables and chairs. Heavily planted with native understory,
shrubs, and oak trees, patrons forget they are on a roof, focusing instead on the tasks of learning, socialization, and relaxing between classes. MXC offers in-house daycare and preschool education. A small courtyard incorporates gross-motor skill and imaginative play elements organized around a stage-viewing lawn and tricycle track. A playhouse, chalkboards, water table, musical fence, embankment slide, and seating complete the mix of activities. The MXC campus now serves as a community anchor. Spaces surrounding the buildings are home to walkways providing numerous socializing opportunities. Large lawns provide a traditional quadrangle feel, sized for large tent placement and outfitted with power bollards to host events. These areas, with interior conference, banquet, and athletic facilities are available for rental - with preference given to not-for-profits.
PRIOR MASTER PL AN
Cannon Design, Terry Guen Design Associates
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HONOR AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
1 mile P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
Urban Rivers
THE WILD MILE SOM 14
The Wild Mile project is a floating ecopark located on the North Branch Channel of the Chicago River, which is a manmade channel to the east of Goose Island. Chicago’s waterways have been channelized for shipping over the past two centuries. The steel walls and mud floors of such channels are undesirable for aquatic life, which leaves a suboptimal system for habitats. The intention of The Wild Mile is to grow a natural habitat in this unnatural channel system through a floating eco-park, which utilizes pre-existing channel walls to build the natural habitat while also forming a unique environment for canoeists and kayakers alike.
The river is a public trust, and The Wild Mile is a public lab.
Collaboration between Urban Rivers, SOM, and related Chicago institutions led to the design of a floating garden as a habitat for a diverse group of species, including pollinators. A budget of roughly $63,000 raised through Kickstarter as well as corporate grants ensured the successful realization of The Wild Mile. In an effort to create interaction between Kickstarter and the project, The Wild Mile team sent out engraved rock rewards to contributors in order to have them visit the site and place the rocks on a designated bird platform in the garden. A unique facet of the project is the use of technology and citizenship to monitor the site. Through a volunteer-led initiative of The Wild Mile, river rangers reported daily throughout the site on a specific subset
of plants. Each volunteer kept track of pollinators, wildlife in the area, plant health, and other conditions. The data collected was then recorded by the volunteers on an app built by The Wild Mile team to maintain timely details regarding the success of each plant. Due to this monitoring, an outbreak of avian botulism was documented, which led to authorities sending a team to the area to quell its spread. Without The Wild Mile and its river rangers, the outbreak may have been much larger. This collaboration between local citizens and the team to engage with data collection for the site and monitor the health of its inhabitants offers an ideal precedent for future habitatbuilding projects along the Chicago River and throughout the nation. 15
HONOR AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Elmhurst, IL P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Communications CLIENT
Elmhurst Park District
The Elmhurst Park District Vision 2020: Comprehensive and Strategic Plan will drive long-range planning, direct decisionmaking, and assist with allocating resources for the District by defining a clear vision for its future. The planning team was led by The Lakota Group, and included Dewberry Architects, Primera Engineers, Recreation Results, PROS Consulting, and ETC Institute, under the leadership and guidance of the Park District’s Board of Commissioners and Administrative staff.
P ROJ E C T T E A M
VISION 2020 T H E L A KOTA G RO U P
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Dewberry Architects, Primera Engineers, PROS Consulting, Recreation Results, ETC Institute
This plan provided a foundation for building credibility and established consensus on important community issues. It engaged the community, successfully transforming their vision into a tangible implementation strategy that was then communicated back to the
community through a variety of mechanisms. Nearly 3,000 community-based touchpoints were engaged during this process through online surveys, a statistically-valid survey, project website, open houses, focus groups, and interviews. The planning team facilitated a plethora of opportunities for residents of the mid-size park district to engage in the process. An easy-to-understand infographic makes the plan accessible to the public in ways traditional planning documents are not. The means and methods used to communicate the final plan help foster a culture of transparency, build credibility, and establish trust in the Districts spending and actions. Because of the level of engagement in the process, the District has the buy-in and support to begin implementation in 2018.
The diverse team created a plan that enables decision-makers to prioritize resources for growth and development in a fiscallyresponsible, environmentally sound, publicly supported, and politically prudent manner.
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MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2016 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
.3 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
Third Millennium Group, Jones Lang LaSalle P ROJ E C T T E A M
59 0 W E S T M A D I S O N P O C K E T PA R K WOLFF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, INC.
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Prism Engineering Inc., Hugh Henry Construction Inc., Intrinsic Landscaping Inc., Anne Kustner Lighting Design Ltd., Weber Consultants Ltd., Yossi Etstein, SHE Architecture & Design
The 590 West Madison Pocket Park is a 14,000 square foot open space located at the corner of West Washington and North Jefferson streets in Chicago’s West Loop. Located adjacent to the future 590 West Madison office and hotel project, the goal was to provide an attractive outdoor space and amenity for tenants, hotel guests, residents, and workers in the surrounding community. The park is divided into smaller “outdoor rooms” which provide intimate spaces and separation from the adjacent streets. Rooms are defined by tightly sheared hedges of evergreen and deciduous plants, arranged such that the rooms are open to the street and the future building lobby. Rooms are connected by openings on parallel pedestrian walkways that traverse the site.
The west room is more open, focusing on a small grass panel that is an unexpected presence in this urban location. The central garden room is planted with stripes of colorthemed perennials and ornamental grasses that have seasonal, graphic, and horticultural interest. The east room is a paved multiuse space suitable for seating, dining, and gathering. Custom wood benches with cove lighting line the park paths. With light emanating from below, the benches appear to float above the ground at night. Landscaping is structured and geometric at the larger scale but also rich and varied with seasonal and horticultural interest at a smaller scale. A small dog run is provided on the park’s east end with a drinking fountain, agility walk, step up table, and bench seating for dog owners.
The design provides a welcoming, attractive, and distinctive destination that also invites pedestrian circulation from the surrounding neighborhood.
PRIOR MASTER PL AN
Goettsch Partners
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MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Schaumburg, IL S I ZE
1 acre P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
The Schaumburg Park District P ROJ E C T T E A M
B I S O N ’ S B L U F F N AT U R E P L AYG R O U N D HITCHCOCK DESIGN GROUP
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Nova Engineering, McCluskey Engineering, Hey and Associates Inc, Team Reil, Fountain Technologies
The vision for Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground was born out of the Schaumburg Park District’s goal to enhance their existing facilities and the nature play opportunities available at the Spring Valley Nature Center. Through the nature center, the Park District hosts a wide variety of well-attended outdoor education programs. The goal of the Bison’s Bluff Playground was to provide children of all ages and abilities with unique open-ended nature play opportunities which mimic traditional play in open spaces. Throughout the design of the project, community input and involvement was continuous. Community comments were tabulated and distributed to the design team which allowed for the design to be refined throughout the process, which ultimately helped to shape the design into three distinct naturals areas: the wetland, the prairie, and the savannah ecosystem.
To extend their programming, incorporate play, and educate children of all ages about nature, a Hitchcock Design Group led design team developed this nature-based play space that immerses children in a natural landscape that includes native grasses and flowers, woodland trees, a stream and a pond. In the wetland themed section, children can leap across stepping stones in a shallow pond, build dams and sort cobbles in a stream bed, participate in nature art, and hop across Sallie the Salamander. The prairie ecosystem provides children with the ability to explore the music of the prairie, look through the dragonfly kaleidoscope, play musical instruments, traverse the balance course, and
take a ride on the seed spinners. In their visit to the savannah ecosystem, children can climb the “curious scurious raccoon rendezvous” multi-tiered treehouse, clamber over boulders, slide down the rodent run, and muscle up and over the Bison’s Bluff climbing zone. Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground, by measurable standards, has been hugely successful as it had a simple goal of increasing visits to the Spring Valley Nature Center, thereby increasing the potential for land stewardship education. The project not only draws the expected original users, but polls indicate that people are now coming from the entire northwest suburban region and beyond.
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MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2013 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
.1 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Research CLIENT
Studio Gang Architects
C H I C A G O W H E AT P R A I R I E OMNI ECOSYSTEMS
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P ROJ E C T T E A M
Studio Gang Architects, Bulley & Andrews LLC
Wheat has been a cornerstone crop for major civilizations throughout the centuries, and still today, wheat consumption in the United States exceeds that of any other food staple. Yet, the versatile, high-calorie food and fuel source is often neglected from urban agricultural discourse. Productive green roof systems in particular center on vegetable and herb production, while the potential to cultivate, harvest, and process cereal and oil crops is largely unexplored.
Exploring the overlooked capabilities of green roof agriculture, Omni Ecosystems pursued a unique opportunity to investigate the quality and feasibility of green roof grain production.
The Wheat Prairie Harvest was a proof-ofconcept research project, culminating in the first-known rooftop wheat harvest. Located atop the Chicago offices of Studio Gang Architects, the wheat was initially intended as a cover crop that would create a singular, pastoral aesthetic. However, when the grain matured into a toxin-free, foodgrade crop, Omni Ecosystems and Studio Gang capitalized on the research potential. Urban youth from local program After School Matters were incorporated into the project, learning hands-on lessons in productive landscapes led by The Roof Crop urban farm. In the end, 66 pounds of grain was threshed, winnowed, and milled into a sampling of baked goods and pastry flour by Baker Miller Chicago.
The Wheat Prairie project provided valuable data regarding green roof grain production, proving the viability of rooftop wheat production and creating an island of already in a sea of not yet.
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MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
3.1 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Residential CLIENT
Brinshore-Michaels Development Corporation P ROJ E C T T E A M
Landon Bone Baker Architects, Prism Engineering
C IT Y GARDENS M C K AY L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T S
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Located on a former Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) public housing site in Chicago, City Gardens is a new rental development defined by its prioritization of community space and the beautiful gardens that encompass it. Thanks to a collaboration of Brinshore Development and the design team led by Landon Bone Baker Architects, City Gardens offers 76 apartments – a mix of market rate, affordable, and public housing units – contributing to urban revitalization through the building of quality living conditions for all, regardless of income level. The landscape, designed by McKay Landscape Architects, is a defining characteristic of City Gardens and key to the overall success of this project. An elevated rail line and its embankment along the site’s western edge led to the arrangement of seven three-story buildings along the site’s perimeter and the creation of a central courtyard dedicated to community use.
The courtyard functions as the heart of the development, featuring a community building, a recycling center, indoor community space, and an expansive outdoor commons where residents can garden, gather, and play. The commons features a generous community garden, picnic area with grills, and several seating areas. A large play lawn with two sodded berms adds a sense of whimsy. A required fire lane extends the commons westward, doubling as a plaza for the residents, protected from traffic by removable traffic bollards. The plant palette for the project was developed with maintenance requirements in mind. Lawn was limited to the central play lawn and parkways at the site’s perimeter. All other landscaped areas consist of native and adaptive plants that can withstand long periods of drought and do not require excessive pruning or deadheading during the growing season. Experiencing this textural
landscape - more wild than manicured embedded in its larger, urban neighborhood – is the primary opportunity for residents to engage with natural beauty and to observe the natural systems they are a part of. Studies have shown that interacting with natural beauty has many beneficial impacts including improved mental health, improved concentration, and a decrease in stress. The investment in the landscape demonstrates a high level of respect for the residents. In turn, the residents of City Gardens respect their environment, feel a sense of ownership, and are proud to call City Gardens home.
City Gardens demonstrates the ability of landscape design to build connections, offer unique programming opportunities, and manage stormwater, while simultaneously offering durability and pleasing aesthetics. 25
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2016 L O C AT I O N
Downers Grove, IL S I ZE
.5 acres
When envisioning the perfect home for their family, our clients agreed that accessibility was paramount. They needed outdoor spaces and access for their two daughters who have special needs and rely on their wheelchairs to get around. After acquiring a long, skinny lot in Downers Grove and hiring an architect, they turned to Barker Evans Landscape Architecture to create outdoor spaces that would invigorate and enrich the girls lives from childhood through maturity.
P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Residential CLIENT
Private Residence
C O U R T YA R D R E S I D E N C E B A R K E R E VA N S L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T U R E 26
P ROJ E C T T E A M
Kulinsky + Rappe Architects, Genesis Surveying and Engineering, Roberts Design and Build
A stimulating and flexible landscape, the single-family home is built around a central spine with a series of courtyards granting access to the outside from every room.
The exterior spaces offer the girls a variety of amenities and sensory experiences, including a low wall at the front entrance to wait for their brothers’ bus after school; a fountain with shallow basins for soaking hands and feet; a small lawn area to lay on in the girls’ courtyard; a fireplace in the back courtyard for warmth on a cool night; ipe ramps at every door to assure smooth, dry transitions from inside to outside; and turf berms in the back yard for rolling and playing.
a lot time on the ground, so large areas of turf and shade were another consideration. Two large rain gardens in the front and back yards capture rainwater throughout the site, featuring plants that can survive both inundation and drought.
The plants selected include evergreens so the courtyards hold as much appeal in the winter as in the summer. Bulbs are planted throughout the courtyards to provide a spectacular display of color in the spring. Due to their medical condition, the girls spend
27
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2015 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
3,000 sf. P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
University of Chicago
SWIFT HALL C LO ISTE R GARDE N CULLITON QUINN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
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P ROJ E C T T E A M
Laughing Waters Inc., The Brickman Group, Bartlett Tree Experts, Nightlight, Muellermist Irrigation Company
The University of Chicago sought to create a cloister garden that complements two historical surrounding buildings, designed by architects Coolidge and Hodgdon at the end of the Gothic revival period in America. Swift Hall is the beautifully ornate home to the Divinity School that borders two sides of the site. Bond Chapel, utilized for spiritual, ceremonial, as well as performing arts events, runs along the third side of the space with a stone cloister connecting both buildings. Culliton Quinn Landscape Architecture was challenged to design a space that would be an extension of these encompassing buildings, and provide a beautiful sanctuary for the campus to enjoy. While based on traditional cloister designs of highly organized, intimate spaces, this cloister garden is uniquely open on one side to a large quad that has been incorporated into an overall master plan. The intimate sitting
space is carved out of the garden to keep this area off the main path of travel. Raised stone fountains spill into a ground-level water rill; the running water energizes the garden and muffles surrounding campus noise.
Naturalized plantings complement the existing oak canopy and soften the structured hardscapes with understory ornamentals, shrubs, and perennials, supporting the idea of creating a peaceful and tranquil environment. All white blooms accompany variegated dogwood, boxwoods, and a mix of green, textured perennials that flourish in the shade cast by the oak trees.
The existing stone paving, Amherst grey sandstone from Ohio, was beautifully weathered with oversized pieces in a wide range of sizes. Each piece was catalogued and repurposed into the new garden paving pattern. The solid limestone fountains, placed on axis with the arches of the cloister arcade, welcome the weathering process and make the space feel befittingly aged. The fountains are set above ground to avoid harming the beautiful, large oaks with destructive excavation. The carved quatrefoil design within the basins is a symbol prevalent in both the existing architecture, as well as art and architecture through the ages.
29
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2013 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
.25 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Residential CLIENT
Private Residence P ROJ E C T T E A M
J.H.R. ON BEER BARON ROW CULLITON QUINN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 30
Rugo Raff Architects Ltd., Hirsch Brick and Stone Co., Eiserman and Associates, Stewart Ironworks, B Line Design, Lightscapes, Kaneville Tree Farms
In 1879, German immigrant John Henry Raap and his wife Helena built this threestory home for their family of seven on Hoyne Avenue. Now a landmark district of Wicker Park, this area was once referred to as Beer Baron Row, where numerous mansions were built by wealthy German and Scandinavian brewers. The once stately home and grounds had, over the decades, fallen into a state of disrepair. In the early 2000’s, the area saw a big revitalization, and a local family purchased the magnificent property with plans to revive the home and gardens back to their original grandeur. The home, designed in the Second Empire style, sits on a corner with two prominent entrances and a tower. Entry walks extend from each projecting portico, forming hallways aligned to the original pedestrian gates. A kneewall runs nearly the entire perimeter of the garden, raising the grade of the interior garden by two to three steps.
The change of elevation helps to separate the yard from the street with the house sitting up high in a surrounding flat landscape. The hardscape structure sets the framework for the individual garden spaces with an overall program including a vast green lawn for play, deep and layered planting beds, a kitchen garden, and a private entertaining space on a very public property.
Taking cues from the Victorian era, the gardens are also a reflection of the flamboyance and intricacy of this time. Varied plant compositions lend a distinct character to each garden space. The formal, spiraling parterre garden evokes a landscape of the old world, with annual rotations that reflect the seasons. The beds surrounding the lawn are planted in a loose, cottage garden
style with a mix of textures from the flowering shrubs and perennials. A tidy, clipped hedge encloses the kitchen garden with large, raised beds for growing vegetables. Many species comprise the overall plant palette. This diversity creates an ideal pollinator habitat for the two bee hives housed on site. Culliton Quinn Landscape Architecture worked with the client and project team in restoring and reusing elements from the house into the garden, such as the original Joliet stone kneewall and reclaimed Purington pavers. The J.H.R. inscribed limestone slab was given a prominent location in the front entry parterre, returning this piece of history to the grounds. The gardens have become a point of pride for the neighborhood again, and the spirit of the historic Raap family home is renewed, so many years later.
31
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Becker County, MN S I ZE
15 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Residential CLIENT
LAKE VIEW MARIANI LANDSCAPE
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Private Residence P ROJ E C T T E A M
Michael Abraham, EOR Inc., Hirsch Brick and Stone, Boilini and Company, Mick DeGiulio
Nestled on a Minnesota lake, this modern retreat blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living. The entire property was re-imagined by the design team which consisted of an interior designer, architect, civil engineer, and landscape architect. With a client willing to invest over $3,000,000 in the project, the existing home received an extensive remodeling and the 15-acre site received a complete overhaul. The client desired comfortable, elegant spaces to entertain, which evoked the experience of being at a high end hotel. The existing approach to the house required steps down to the front door creating an uninspired and hidden entry experience. Through the major undertaking of lowering the drive and regrading the site, the newly remodeled home has more presence and there
is now a clear approach to the front door. The driveway composed of permeable granite pavers is not only beautiful but prevents water runoff during heavy rains. The front walk bridges a water rill which sets the stage for the lake views one sees as they enter the home.
The design intent was to capitalize on the dramatic lake views while creating a landscape that beckons the family outside by offering unique spaces to relax in. The lakefront was transformed from a rocky moonscape to a lush tapestry of native plants and locally sourced boulders. The planting palette needed to be especially durable in
order to thrive in Zone 3, and often having high winds and heavy deer traffic made plant selection challenging. To capitalize on unobstructed views and draw one’s eye from the inside out to the lake, the existing boat dock was moved out of the view and a dramatic zero edge pool clad in bluestone was developed to blend the water’s edge. With cool lake nights, the property features seven fire features to add drama and warmth to the outdoor rooms. These features range from a traditional wood burning fire pit to a fire bar integrated into the infinity edge of the pool. A glass wall was also integrated next to a gathering space to have a protected area from the winds of the lake while maintaining the view. The end results are stunning. 33
MERIT AWARD
30FT SETBACK NATURALIZED EDGE
TRAIL AND PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
OVERLOOK BRIDGE UNDERPASS HARD EDGE
WATER TAXI WILDLIFE CORRIDOR
PRIVATE OPEN SPACE ROW CONNECTION CONNECTION
FLOATING DOCK B OVERLOOK NATURAL EDGE
OVERLOOK HARD EDGE
WATER TAXI
ROW CONNECTION PRIVATE OPEN SPACE CONNECTION
OVERLOOK FLOATING DOCK B NATURAL EDGE
ARMORED SHORELINE
BEACH HEAD
ROW CONNECTION
OVERLOOK NATURAL EDGE
ARMORED SHORELINE
BEACH HEAD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
760 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Planning & Analysis CLIENT
City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development P ROJ E C T T E A M
NORTH BR ANCH FR A MEWORK PL AN SITE 34
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Tetra Tech, Sam Schwartz Engineering, Duncan Associates, Goodman Williams Group
The North Branch Framework Plan is a land use plan document for 760 acres along the Chicago River between Kinzie Street and Fullerton Avenue. It is the first framework developed as a part of Mayor Emanuel’s Industrial Corridor Modernization Initiative, a multi-year effort to review and enhance Chicago’s designated industrial corridors.
The framework’s primary goals are to maintain the corridor as an economic engine and vital job center, provide better access for all transportation modes, and enhance the area’s unique natural and built environment. The North Branch Framework Plan was drafted during an unprecedented year-long public engagement effort, which included
ARMORED SH
small and large stakeholder meetings, targeted community meetings, and public open houses. The process included a thorough analysis of existing conditions, with an emphasis on stormwater management, riverbank ecosystems, infrastructure, transportation networks, safety, and public amenities.
The Framework defines three distinctive corridor sub-areas that have their own character and development potential: North, Central, and South. The Design Guidelines provide principles to support each of the Framework’s three primary goals, through each sub-area.
site design group, ltd. provided landscape architecture services on a diverse consultant team led by Tetra Tech and Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, including engineers, urban designers, traffic engineers, legal experts, and market feasibility specialists. site design group, ltd. led the development of open space recommendations for the Design Guidelines. As an appendix to the Framework, the guidelines support the goals and recommendations of the document through design best practices that are flexible, implementable, and innovative.
In July 2017, the City Council approved an ordinance that acts as the initial step to implement the North Branch Framework Plan’s multi-year goals to accommodate mixed-use business growth within the corridor while generating funds for industrial and commercial development throughout the city. Since the approval, numerous private and public development proposals have been initiated, and the document is already guiding future development along the North Branch Industrial Corridor.
35
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Robbins, IL P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Planning & Analysis CLIENT
Village of Robbins, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) P ROJ E C T T E A M
Donohue & Associates, Neighborhood Capital Institute, Valerie S. Kretchmer Associates Inc., 2IM Group
R O B B I N S PA R K SOM 36
The Village of Robbins is a historic African-American community located in southern Cook County, Illinois. Like many communities in the Chicagoland area, there is a need for investment and revitalization. With over 300 acres of vacant land, residents need to travel out of town for day-to-day services. In addition, the community suffers from stormwater flooding due to nearby Midlothian Creek, which affects over 100 homes in the village. Resiliency is at the heart of this project. Solving the flooding without displacement is a major priority for residents of Robbins, which the design team worked to accomplish through natural systems and restoring elements of the wetland ecology. The residents expressed interest in fishing, kayaking, and canoeing within this lake and using the area to educate youth on nature and ecology. The design takes the current flood site and creates an accessible park that can be a recreational amenity to the community,
spark economic growth in adjacent areas, and address latent stormwater issues. New strategic elements for Robbins Park include wetland edges that allow for water to be infiltrated, retained, detained, and filtered naturally before connecting to the Cal-Sag Channel and Little Calumet River. The nearby Calumet Water Reclamation Plant also offers resource recovery potential.
Balancing both urban and natural systems, the plan creates an opportunity to transform water into a community asset for the village residents. Although Robbins is a suburb of Chicago, its nearby Metra commuter rail station offers favorable conditions to boost density and retail, while providing more opportunities for walking and cycling. Leveraging Robbins Park, the strategy will spark growth near this
transit node; bringing the village more of the amenities that offer a higher quality of life for working-class families. Affordable, innovative, and efficient housing is another major element of the strategic plan. The infrastructure in the transit-oriented development area at Robbins Metra station will be improved to connect existing buildings and new infill will lead to more efficient systems that reduce energy use. The team engaged the mayor and residents through public meetings to build principles and explore ideas in collaboration with the community. As a result, this unique project of collaboration has attracted numerous public and private partners that are helping support the effort on behalf of the Village of Robbins through land acquisition, technical support, grant funding, and construction services. A bold and transformative initiative, this strategic plan could be used as a prototype to bring resiliency to the region one community at a time. 37
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
.71 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
Hickory Street Capital LLC P ROJ E C T T E A M
T H E PA R K AT W R I G L E Y WOLFF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, INC.
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Stantec, TERRA Engineering Ltd., Pepper Construction, Christy Webber Landscapes, Delta Fountains, Dirt-n-Turf Consulting, Schuler Shook Inc. PRIOR MASTER PL AN
Stantec
The Park at Wrigley had two overarching goals: create an outdoor space that would be the focus of pre and post-game activities for Cubs fans on game days, and also be a park and center of activity for the Wrigleyville and Lakeview communities. The design was driven by two major principles: contextual design related to historic Wrigley Field, and wide-ranging programming, combination of uses, activities, and events. These principles led to a design which is respectful of the historical stadium through traditional forms and the extensive use of brick. The design balances paved areas for circulation, multi-use activities, lawn, and paving, and the incorporation of infrastructure to accommodate a wide range of activities. Wolff Landscape Architecture, the landscape architect, along with Stantec, the architect, shared responsibility for the park design.
The Park at Wrigley has already had a significant positive impact on the Wrigleyville and Lakeview communities in the short time it has been open. It adds 0.71 acres of open space for the public in a dense neighborhood underserved by public parks, and is heavily programmed with activities and special events so that it is animated throughout the year. Much of the park is built on structure above the expanded Cubs locker rooms located in the basement level below. This was a constraint on the location of landscape in terms of structural loads and soil depth. Another challenge was to accommodate, and not be damaged by, the large crowds, intense use, and heavy pedestrian traffic on game days. In addition to the peak demand of game days, the space also had to appear attractive, inviting, and occupied on typical non-game days when neighborhood park users are significantly lower in number. These challenges were addressed in several ways,
including the lawn and through the extensive use of moveable seating, which can be removed when the team is out of town so that the park doesn’t appear empty.
The Park at Wrigley is a great example of a privately funded project on private site that serves not only the owner’s goals and interests, but also, at no cost to the public or the community, serves the well-being and needs of neighborhood residents, visitors, and more.
39
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2017 L O C AT I O N
Addison & Wood Dale, IL S I ZE
288 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
THE PRESERVE AT O A K M E A D O W S M A R T I N D E S I G N P A R T N E R S H I P, L T D . 40
P ROJ E C T T E A M
Engineering Resource Associates (ERA), Martam Construction, Wadsworth Golf Construction, Cardno, Midwest Irrigation, Interfluve Inc., EC Design PRIOR MASTER PL AN
Martin Design, ERA
The Preserve at Oak Meadows, previously known as the Elmhurst Country Club, was a popular golf course, however, encroaching sprawl and increasingly impactful rain events were causing operational and maintenance stress on the club, necessitating a full renovation. To guide the renovation, a detailed Master Plan was developed to address cultural, environmental, and recreational goals, understand development impacts, outline regulatory and approval requirements, and gauge public expectations. The planning process prioritized stormwater management, habitat enhancement, and water quality improvement. The redevelopment of The Preserve not only provides a world-class golf experience, but addresses flooding issues through a high functioning, quality landscape that manages stormwater and restores habitat. Features include new wetland habitat, a one-mile streambank restoration and stabilization,
and trail connections to the nearby forest preserve properties. The design paid homage to the heritage of Oak Meadows through the understanding of the golf course, its landscape characteristics, its strategic identity, and its meaning to local golfers. It was vital to develop a strong sense of place and identity born from Oak Meadows.
The Preserve at Oak Meadows will provide significant environmental benefit and access to a beautiful and revived Illinois landscape - not “a golf course project in a preserve,” but rather, a “preserve project that had a golf course.”
environmental problems. There is intention to how the holes have been sited so that anyone can feel the impact of this extraordinary preserve. Here golfers will experience more options, better conditions, and higher strategic challenges. Golfers will tour the property in a way that is intended to reveal its identity slowly, methodically, and systematically. While golfers enjoy The Preserve at Oak Meadows, the wildlife and surrounding communities will reap the benefits.
Golf - particularly public golf - has the opportunity and responsibility to provide solutions to a variety of cultural and 41
MERIT AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2014 L O C AT I O N
Moline, IL S I ZE
20 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
WESTERN ILLINOIS U N IVE RSIT Y Q UAD C ITI ES RIVERFRONT CAMPUS SITE
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Western Illinois University P ROJ E C T T E A M
Holabird & Root, McClure Engineering Associates PRIOR MASTER PL AN
Holabird & Root
Western Illinois University Quad Cities, located in Moline, Illinois, sought to grow significantly and transform its identity as a satellite campus into a fully-functioning, autonomous campus. The University received a 20-acre land grant and state funds to develop a new Mississippi Riverfront property located on a former railroad brownfield site. The new riverfront location provided the University with a unique and exciting opportunity to develop an urban campus that could help revitalize the surrounding area, tie into downtown Moline, and become part of a new riverfront district along the Mississippi River. To support the desired growth, all of the existing facilities would need to more than double in size, while introducing and expanding student services, campus life, recreation, and academic support facilities. Expanding upon the Master Plan and core project principles, site design group, ltd. and team leader Holabird + Root developed the
site into a cohesive campus through the careful siting of buildings, functional and organized circulation systems, and flexible, multipurpose exterior spaces. Site improvements respond to the riverfront context and provide opportunities for gathering, activity, teaching, and respite.
were remediated and capped, while soil was relocated in strategic locations, using gently rolling topographical landforms to frame views to the river throughout a lawn and prairie restoration between campus buildings and the river edge. The resulting design creates a seamless, engaging, and functional landscape with sweeping riverfront views.
The site plan creates a strong formal campus presence through a central campus axis that provides visual and physical access to the Mississippi River.
Western Illinois University’s Quad Cities Riverfront Campus is a sustainable and functional campus that is strongly rooted in its context and an excellent demonstration of efficient use of space and budget. Since it opened in 2014, the campus has succeeded in establishing a new identity to the 20-acre campus, and in creating a new destination for the Quad Cities community, supporting 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students through a cohesive riverfront campus.
Sustainability was an important project goal, exemplified through permeable pavement walkways and parking lots, bioinfiltration planting areas, and a diverse, four season native and adapted planting palette. Another goal of the development was to balance the cut and fill on site. Portions of the property
43
JENSEN AWARD
YEAR COMPLETED
2016 L O C AT I O N
Chicago, IL S I ZE
278 acres P ROJ E C T C AT E G O RY
Design - Constructed CLIENT
Chicago Park District P ROJ E C T T E A M
PA R K 5 6 4 B I G M A R S H HITCHCOCK DESIGN GROUP
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Fujikawa Johnson Gobel Architects, Tetra Tech, Primera Engineers, McCluskey Engineering, All-Bry Construction Company, Friedler Construction Company, International Mountain Biking Association, Cardosi Kiper Design Group, Environmental Design International
Located just 20 minutes southeast of downtown Chicago, an existing 278-acre brownfield and natural area was acquired by the Chicago Park District (CPD) in 2011 with a vision of developing a public park that promotes various eco-recreation activities. Looking to provide new recreational opportunities, such as a bike park, treetop adventure course, hiking trails, and bird watching, CPD engaged Hitchcock Design Group and a multi-disciplinary team of experts in environmental engineering, mountain biking, and other disciplines to develop the site master plan, prepare construction documents, and oversee construction of the initial phases. The objectives of the plan included: preserving and enhancing the site’s natural features, ecorecreation activities, creating a regional bike park, and incorporating design elements that highlight the industrial heritage of the region.
The master plan quickly came to fruition. Since the site had been a popular dumping ground for the steel industry and others, much of it was highly contaminated, presenting significant design challenges. The initial phase included capping the site and shaping the bike park with thousands of yards of excess clay that was brought to the site. The next phases included new utility service and building the 50-acre bike park featuring a cyclo-cross course, pump park, single track trails with elements, bike park plaza, a series of slopestyle lines, signage, entry drive, parking lot, and overlooks. Many of the materials used for construction were reclaimed and locally sourced to enhance the site’s features while also promoting its historical and industrial character.
Through extensive planning, investment, and stakeholder input from private partners, Big Marsh is now a safe, open, and inviting park space for Chicago, the neighboring communities, and the region.
Since opening in November 2016, the park has had a transformative impact on the community by creating jobs, increasing patronage to the area, providing interaction with nature, and giving exposure to new recreational opportunities.
A variety of programs such as bird walks, night hikes, nature learning, and competitive bike race have been offered, with a goal to host the National Cyclo-Cross championships. 45
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Debra is immediate past president of the board of trustees for Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette and immediate past chair of the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Protection Fund. She was the founding editor of Chicago Wilderness Magazine, is an active volunteer restoring prairies and oak woods, and was a founding board member of Friends of the Forest Preserves.
Debra graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD with a degree in Philosophy & Visual Arts. She earned Master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Columbia College (Chicago). In 2008 she earned a Certificate in Executive Education from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Debra lives with her partner-in-life, Kathleen Gillespie, in Skokie, Illinois. She has climbed 42 of the 54 mountains in Colorado more than 14,000 feet high.
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1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1974-79
Lori Lyman, asla Lori Lyman, asla Ann Lindsay Viger, asla Ann Lindsay Viger, asla Steven Halberg, asla Steven Halberg, asla Gary B. Kesler, fasla Gary B. Kesler, fasla Robert Zolomij, asla Susan L.B. Jacobson, fasla Susan L.B. Jacobson, fasla James Ash, asla James Ash, asla James Gamble, asla James Gamble, asla Mark Hunner, fasla Mark Hunner, fasla James Elson Jr., asla Carl L. Goetz, asla John Cook, asla
2017 2015 2015 2013 2010 2009 2009 2009 2009 2007 2006 2000 2000 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1993 1992 1992 1991 1989 1989 1981 1966 1960
M. Elen Deming, fasla Richard C. Bumstead, fasla Keven Graham, fasla Ernest C. Wong, fasla David Yocca, fasla Paul H. Gobster, fasla Theresa Guen-Murray, fasla Scott Mehaffey, fasla James M. Patchett, fasla Douglas Hoerr, fasla Peter Lindsay Schaudt, fasla Bernard P. Jacobs, fasla Anthony Tyznik, fasla Allen R. Edmonson, fasla Brian Orland, fasla Gary B. Kesler, fasla Terry Warriner Ryan, fasla Franklin C. Clements, fasla Mark Hunner, fasla Joseph Nevius, fasla Susan L.B. Jacobson, fasla Terence G. Harkness, fasla Robert B. Riley, fasla Robert Zolomij, fasla Joseph P. Karr, fasla Debra L. Mitchell, fasla Donald J. Molnar, fasla Vincent Bellafiore, fasla Jerrold Soesbe, fasla William Nelson, Jr., fasla Clarence E. “Bish” Hammond, fasla Wallace B. Atkinson, fasla
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2 017-2 018 I L A S L A E X E C U T I V E C O M M I T T E E
E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R
Susan Ragaishis, Affiliate asla earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona, where she studied Theater Performance, Directing, and Art. After 10 years of professional theater, she changed her focus to nonprofit management and worked in administration for the Latino Institute, corporate development for Brookfield Zoo, and as a Regional Director for the American Cancer Society. She joined the Illinois Chapter ASLA in 2011 and works with the Executive Board and Committee Chairs to provide rich and meaningful experiences for members, advocate for the profession and engage allies for the chapter.
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PRESIDENT
Jack Pizzo, asla, is a renowned ecologist, landscape architect, and owner of The Pizzo Group of companies. He graduated from the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign with a Bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture as well as a Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Jack serves as the ecological knowledge base for his companies setting the philosophies, ethics, techniques, and principles that have made The Pizzo Group the industry leader in Ecological Restoration.
PA S T P R E S I D E N T
Alan Watkins, asla, is an account representative with Clarence Davids & Company. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. His responsibilities at Clarence Davids & Company entail developing and maintaining business relationships with current and prospective clients as well as managing landscape construction and landscape maintenance projects. He is actively involved in a variety of professional organizations. He served as President of the Illinois Chapter ASLA in 2016 and is currently serving as the Chairperson of the University of Illinois Department of Landscape Architecture Resource Committee.
PRESIDENT ELECT
Keven Graham, fasla, pla, clarb is a Senior Landscape Architect with TERRA engineering based in Chicago. Keven leads the landscape architecture group at TERRA, overseeing four offices providing service throughout the Midwest and Internationally. Keven received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University. He has served the Illinois Chapter ASLA in the past at various levels, including Chapter President and Trustee. Keven serves on several national committees focused on policy, government affairs, and leadership.
T RU S T E E
Brad McCauley, asla, pla, cdt is the Managing Principal at site design group, ltd. (site), who specializes in construction detailing and contract documentation. Through Brad’s extensive knowledge in transforming design into buildable projects, he has helped facilitate numerous award-winning public spaces. His body of work includes urban waterfronts, streetscapes, residential developments, urban parks, playgrounds, and open space design in both the public and private sectors. Brad’s leadership is exemplified through his position as Trustee of the Illinois Chapter ASLA, as well as his service as the 2014 Chapter President, on ASLA’s Member Services and the Financial and Investment Committees, and as a member of the Stewardship Council of The Cultural Landscape Foundation. A licensed landscape architect, Brad has also received Construction Document Technology certification from the Construction Specification Institute.
TREASURER
Steven Halberg, asla, pla, clarb is no stranger to leadership within the Illinois Chapter ASLA. He has previously served the Chapter as both a two time Treasurer and as a two-time President. Steve earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, and also holds a Master of Business Administration from Illinois Benedictine College. He is a licensed landscape architect in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and is CLARB certified. During his more than forty-year career as a landscape architect in Illinois, Steve has served as Superintendent of Parks and Planning with the Elk Grove Park District; Director of Planning and Development with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County; President and Principal Designer with David Gill/Steven Halberg Limited - Golf Course Architects; and Landscape Architecture Manager for Bonestroo. He is currently serving as Assistant Director of Landscape Architecture with Planning Resources Inc.
S E C R E TA RY
Renee TeVogt, Associate asla, is a landscape designer at Daniel Weinbach & Partners. Her responsibilities at Daniel Weinbach & Partners includes design for streetscapes, commercial developments, and residential projects; with a focus on amenity decks. She earned her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, and is working towards licensure. Prior to her role as Secretary for Illinois Chapter ASLA, she served as the Internal Communications chair. She is currently active in the Public Awareness committee. Serving as Secretary, Renee keeps detailed records of chapter correspondences and is reorganizing chapter records for better use within the organization.
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Advocacy Chair: Mark Jirik, ASLA Celebration Co-chairs: Ellen Schmidt, ASLA; Sarah Dreier, ASLA Downstate Member Representative: Kent Massie, ASLA Education Chair: Kenon Boehm, ASLA Emerging Professionals Chair: Camille Applewhite External Communications Chair: Rob Reuland, ASLA Fellowship Chair: David Traphagen, ASLA Fellows Nominations: Susan Jacobson, FASLA Internal Communications Chair: Lara Remitz, Associate ASLA Public Awareness Chair: Faezeh Ashtiani, Associate ASLA Membership Chair: Adam White, ASLA Service Committee Co-Chairs: Mike Finn, ASLA; Doug Pettay, ASLA Sponsorship Chair: Amy Olson, ASLA
2 017 I L A S L A AWA R D C O M M I T T E E
Eric Braun, ASLA, Committee Chair Ian Wagan, ASLA Nathan Robinson, ASLA
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2 017 ILASLA S U PP O RTE R S Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning, and design of our built and natural environments. The American Society of Landscape Architect’s (ASLA) mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship. In support of this mission, the Illinois Chapter ASLA invests in education and networking events for our members. Such gatherings give members the opportunity to increase their knowledge of the field, interact with colleagues, share industry news and products, and most importantly, build key relationships to help grow and improve their businesses. We are grateful to the people and organizations that supported the Illinois Chapter ASLA in 2017.
P R E M I E R PA R T N E R S
Anova Landscape Forms, Inc Unilock
IGNITE! SPEAKER SERIES SPONSORS
Bartlett Tree Experts Victor Stanley, Inc
G O L D A N N UA L
Kafka Granite Rainbird
S I LV E R A N N UA L
Hunter/FX Luminaire Madrax/Thomas Steel Maglin Whitacre Greer Company
B RO N ZE A N N UA L
Forms + Surfaces, Inc. ImagineNation LLC Midwest Groundcovers/Midwest Trading NuToys Leisure Products
MEDIA SPONSOR
The Architect’s Newspaper
Cunningham Recreation/Gametime GreenburgFarrow Hoffie Nursery Kaneville Tree Farms Liberty Limestone Company Longshadow Classic Garden Ornaments Lotus International Lurvey
CREDITS NUMBERED TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT
River Edge Ideas Lab 1-2: site | site design group, ltd. 3: Chicago Department of Planning and Development 4: Chicago Mayor’s Office, site | site design group, ltd. Argyle Shared Street 1-4: Scott Shigley
E V E N T & PU B L I C AT I O N S P O N S O R S
AECOM American Hydrotech Bartlett Tree Experts Belgard Commercial Bo-Mar Industries BCI Burke/Play Illinois Chalet Clarence Davids & Company
IM AGE CREDITS
Nightlight Oceanside Glasstile Pizzo & Associates, Ltd. Rochester Concrete Products site Sod Solutions Victor Stanley, Inc. Wilson Nursery
Detroit East Riverfront Framework Plan 1-4: SOM New Malcom X College Campus 1-3: Jason Keen Photography 4: Hitchcock Design Group The Wild Mile 1, 3-4: Urban Rivers 2: SOM Vision 2020 1-4: The Lakota Group
IL ASL A AFFILIATE & CORPOR ATE MEMBERS
Altamanu Inc. American Planning Association Anova Bartlett Tree Experts Chicago Botanic Gardens Congress for New Urbanism County Materials Corporation Complete Site Solutions General Services Administration Greentec Innovations, Inc. Hunter/FX Luminaire Illinois Brick
Kafka Granite LLC Kane County Division of Transportation L.J. Thalmann Co. Landscape Forms, Inc. Letzow Insurance/CorRisk Solutions Lurvey Landscape Supply MAB Group Millennium Park Foundation Montale Gardens Northern Illinois Center for Governmental Studies Openlands Project
Profile Products Rain Bird Corporation Star Roses & Plants Sternberg Lighting Inc. Tree Fund Victor Stanley, Inc. Village of Bloomingdale Vole Landscape Co., Inc. Warren Toma & Associates Western Illinois University Wilson Nurseries, Inc. WTTW
590 West Madison Pocket Park 1-4: Tim Benson Photography Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground 1-4: Hitchcock Design Group Chicago Wheat Prairie 1, 3: Hannah Hoggatt Photography 2: Connor Burns 4: Nathan Kirkman
Swift Hall Cloister Garden 1-2, 4: Culliton Quinn 3: Jean Lachat/ University of Chicago JHR on Beer Baron Row 1-4: Culliton Quinn Landscape Architecture Lake View 1-4: Tony Soluri North Branch Framework Plan 1-2: site | site design group, ltd. Robbins Park 1-4: SOM The Park at Wrigley 1-3: Robert R. Gigliotti - RRG Photography 4: Heidi Zeiger Photography The Preserve at Oak Meadows 1,3: Charles Cherney 2: Greg Martin 4: Ed Stevenson WIU Quad Cities 1-2: site | site design group, ltd. 3: Jim Steinkamp Photography Park 564 Big Marsh 1: Thomas’ Photographic Services 2: Hitchcock Design Group 3: Brian Comiskey
City Gardens 1-4: Ballogg Photography Courtyard Residence 1-4: Tom Harris Photography
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PRODUCTION NOTES
THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS.
F O L I O 2 017 I S A N O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E I L L I N O I S C H A P T E R OF THE AMERICAN SOCIET Y OF L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.
This publication’s goal is to increase public awareness of landscape architecture as a profession and recognize the works of our profession that bring honor to us all. With this year’s issue, we offer our readers a glimpse of a number of unique projects that highlight the exemplary work of Illinois landscape architects.
THE POSSIBILITIES AREhas ENDLESS. Our team been trusted
The entire contents of this issue, including the plans, photographs, and all artwork are under copyright agreement with the Illinois Chapter ASLA and may not be copied or reproduced except as specified under contract with the Illinois Chapter ASLA.
for over 40 years to provide technical expertise and Our team has been trusted project support in the for over 40 years to provide exploration of segmental technical expertise and paving project product support inoptions. the
To the best of our knowledge, all information at the time of publication is accurate. The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the publisher, the copywriter and designer, and the production firm are not liable for omissions or errors. Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects P.O. Box 4566 Oak Brook, Illinois 60522 630.833.4516 www.il-asla.org
exploration of segmental paving product options. Optimizing color, finish,
2017 Folio Committee Jenna Jones, asla Rob Reuland, asla Susan Ragaishis
texture and size, we have Optimizing color, finish, what it takes towe bring texture and size, have whatvision it takesto to life. bring your
Editor / Copywriter Jenna Jones, asla
your vision to life.
Concept and Design a5 Branding & Digital - a5inc.com
PROJECT: Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine. Grand Rapids, MI
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PROJECT: Michigan State DESIGN: University, College of Human Medicine. Grand Rapids, MI Michael SmithGroup JJR DESIGN: Michael SmithGroup JJR Promenade™ Plank Paver - Umbriano® Finish PRODUCT:
® PRODUCT: Promenade™ Plank Paver - Umbriano Finish Contact your Unilock Representative for samples, product information and to arrange a Lunch & Learn for your team.
Contact your Unilock Representative for samples, product information and to arrange a Lunch & Learn for your team.
UNILOCK.COM
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1-800-UNILOCK
IL- ASL A.ORG