2012 ASLA Annual Meeting Field Session FS001

McDowell SonoranPreserveSustainable Arid Region Design

Speakers:

Christopher Brown, FASLA, LEED APPhilip Weddle, AIA, LEED AP

Scott Hamilton, Senior Preserve Planner

McDowell Sonoran PreserveSustainable Arid Region Design

Christopher Brown, FASLA, LEED APSmithGroupJJR

Chris has focused much of his 30 year career towards planning and landscape projects that seamlessly incorporate public space into the environmentally sensitive landscape of the Sonoran Desert. His interna-tionally recognized work includes the Rio Salado Audubon Center (LEED Platinum), Cavalliere Park (SITES Pilot) and a series of award win-ning projects within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve that allow the user to be completely immersed into the desert environment while protecting the sensitive nature of the desert habitat.

Scott Hamilton, Senior Preserve PlannerCity of Scottsdale

As Senior Preserve Planner, Scott is responsible for the planning and implementation of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve – an area of permanently protected Sonoran Desert which will total 34,000 acres upon completion. Since joining the City of Scottsdale in 1998, Scott has played a key role in the planning and construction of an interconnected system of trails and trailheads which provide public access to the Preserve, including direct involvement with the Preserve’s land acquisition process.

Philip Weddle, AIA, LEED APWeddle Gilmore

Philip’s work focuses on designs that are responsive to unique cultural, climate and site-specific influences and includes an award winning series of projects that explore the relationship between the rapid urban growth of the Phoenix Metro area and the Sonoran Desert it inhabits. Weddle Gilmore has completed work throughout the southwest as well as Europe and Asia and is internation-ally recognized for environmental excellence in design. The firm was awarded the AIA Sustainable Firm of the Year in 2008 and the AIA Firm of the Year in 2009.

·Increase understanding of native desert environments with a focus on habitat protection, wash corridor preservation, plant material identifi-cation, and micro-climatic conditions that inform design strategies

·Learn how to implement site improvements to allow for public use in a manner that allows for total immersion while protecting the sensitive native landscape

I. Introduction a. Introduction to the history of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve (MSP), b. Mission Statement of the MSP and access areasc. City of Scottsdale Commitment to design excellence

II. McDowell Sonoran Preserve Guidelines a. Guiding Principlesb. Site selection strategiesc. Native plant protectiond. Material palettee. Detail “standards”

III. Site Design Considerations a. Natural site characteristics (land form, significant rock outcroppings, native plant character)b. 404 wash corridorsc. Native plant protection strategies

IV. Sustainable Strategies a. Site appropriate building materialsb. Net zero design approachc. Water harvesting

·Learn about the process of implementing a net zero facility

·Understand how to effectively design and specify a native restoration planting plan.

d. Parking lot charactere. Native plant protection strategiesf. Initial investment versus life time cost analysisg. Construction strategies

V. Design Documents a. CMAR versus Low Bid approach b. Partnership between Owner contractor and design team to ensure success

VI. Implementation a. Construction strategies b. Community involvementc. Commitment from City of Scottsdale

VII. Maintenance Considerations a. Commitment to design strategies b. Daily / weekly / monthly / yearly requirements

VIII. SITES Pilot Project | LEED Certificationa. George ‘Doc’ Cavalliere Parkb. Gateway

Learning Objectives & Presentation Outline

Speaker Bios

McDowell Sonoran PreserveAccess Area Design & Site Standards

Sunrise - Via Linda Trailheads Minor Community Access

Lost Dog Wash Major Community Access

Preserve Gateway Gateway Access

North McDowell Major Community Access

Little Granite Mountain Major Community Access

Fraesfield Mountain Minor Community Access

Alma School Minor Community Access

Pima - Dynamite Major Community Access

Happy Valley - Scottsdale Road Minor Community Access

Standards Key Components 1.0 Introduction 2.0. Background 3.0. Preserve Map 4.0 Design Principles 5.0. Approval Process Summary

I. Design Standards: Site Design 1.0 Planning 2.0. Parking 3.0. Landscape 4.0 Site Elements 5.0. Site Lighting 6.0 Grading & Drainage

II. Design Standards: Amenities 1.0 Building Massing/Orientation 2.0 Materials Palette 3.0 Green Building Program 4.0 Facilities Design Standards

III. Design Standards: Construction

IV. Design Approval & Inspection Process

V. Access Areas Location Analysis

Preserve Map

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Preserve Access Areas

Pinnacle Peak Park TrailheadCity of Scottsdale

Size160 Acres

Budget$1,100,000

Completion2002

Design TeamArchitecture - Weddle GilmoreLandscape Architecture - Floor AssociatesGraphic Design - Thinking Caps

Awards2004 Valley Forward EnvironmentalExcellence Award

The Pinnacle Peak Trailhead is a City of Scottsdale park and trailhead facil-ity. The structures, landscape, trails and interpretive elements are sited into a very rich and unique landscape sensitive to the desert environment. Interpretive components focus on the Sonoran Desert ecology and the historical connections of the various cultures that have inhabited the valley.

The site design focuses on minimizing the impact of the trailhead develop-ment on the existing vegetation. This was accomplished by terracing the parking to reduce grading limits,

revegetation of previously disturbed habitat and the use of decomposed granite pavement. The trailhead structures blend with the native land-scape and geology through the build-ing forms and materials. The thick walls of the trailhead are constructed of “desert stone masonry” utilizing native granite boulders stockpiled from previous development. The roof, constructed of rusted cor-ten steel, collects rain which is stored in a cistern before being distributed to site landscaping. An overhead cable trellis system designed around an existing mature saguaro serves as a centerpiece to the trailhead.

Lost Dog Wash TrailheadCity of Scottsdale

Size22 Acres

Budget$775,000

Completion2006

Design TeamLandscape Architecture - Floor AssociatesArchitecture - Weddle Gilmore

Awards2008 ASLA Honor Award2008 AzASLA Merit Award2007 AIA Wester Region Honor Award2006 AIA AZ Chapter Honor Award2006 Valley Forward Crescordia Award

The Lost Dog Wash Trailhead facility is the third in a series of projects the team has completed for the City of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This major access facility is designed to provide a southern gate-way into the 34,000 acre Preserve. The project has been recognized internationally and now serves as the model for all future Preserve Access Areas and desert sensitive design in general. Lost Dog Wash was designed to integrate into the existing environment, to the highest degree possible, including the design of a rain and graywater collection system to eliminate the use of potable water,

LED lighting utilizing solar photo voltaic panels, composting toilet system and stabilized granite parking and drive lanes to eliminate the use of all asphaltic paving on the project. The project involved intensive field reconnaissance to site the improve-ments, preserve and/or salvage all native material from disturbed areas, preserve existing drainage washes and to limit the areas of grading distur-bance. The plant palette includes only site specific species, based on comprehensive pre-construction site inventory.

The Gateway to the McDowell Sonoran PreserveCity of Scottsdale

The Gateway is the fourth in a series of projects the team has designed for the City of Scottsdale’s McDowell So-noran Preserve. In conjunction with the Desert Discovery Center planned for the same site, The Gateway Access will serve as one of the primary access points to the 34,000 acre Preserve. The facility provides outdoor class-room spaces, interpretive displays, offices and meeting rooms for Preserve rangers, as well as parking for autos and equestrian trailers.

The Gateway Access Area is designed to integrate into the existing environ-ment, utilizing sustainable construc-

Size14 Acres

Budget$3,755,000

Completion2009

Design TeamArchitecture - Weddle GilmoreLandscape Architecture - JJR Floor

Awards2010 AIA Western Region Merit Award2010 AzASLA Honor Award2010 Scottsdale Environmental Design Award2009 Valley Forward Crescordia AwardUSGBC LEED Platinum

tion techniques such as rainwater harvesting, low water use irrigation, LED lighting and stabilized decom-posed granite paving. Intensive field reconnaissance was conducted during the master and site planning process to properly site the improvements to minimize disturbance and to preserve existing drainage washes. All native trees, shrubs and cacti were salvaged from all disturbed areas and reincor-porated into the landscape through a site specific revegetation process. The plant palette and planting design includes only site specific species and reflects native site specific densities.

Preserving open space, respecting existing neighborhoods and creating a demonstration project for sustainability, were the primary guiding principles in the design of George “Doc” Cavalliere Park. Cavalliere Park (formally Troon North Park) is the result of over 20 years of planning and is a product of not only extensive community input but also the significant challenges of integrating a community park into a regional stormwater retention facility, set into the rugged desert terrain of north Scottsdale. The resulting project has established a new standard for the design and implementation of

George “Doc” Cavalliere ParkCity of Scottsdale

Size34 Acres

Budget$6,900,000

CompletionFebruary 2012

Design TeamLandscape Architecture - JJR FloorArchitecture - Weddle Gilmore

Awards2012 Scottsdale Environmental Design Award

a truly sustainable community park for the City of Scottsdale.

It is fitting that George “Doc” Cavalliere Park has been named after one of Scottsdale’s founding fathers. Sitting adjacent to “Doc’s” beloved Greasewood Flat, the new park establishes a vision for uniting Scottsdale’s past and future. Cavalliere Park was selected to be a part of the pilot program for the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) and is on track to be the first project in the state of Arizona to receive certification under the SITES Benchmarks & Guidelines.

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