Edinburgh Gardens Raingarden

Image courtesy of Landezine

In 2010 GHD Pty Ltd designed this recently constructed and elegant raingarden for Melbourne Water in collaboration with City of Yarra at the Edinburgh Gardens: St Georges Road- Fitzroy North in Melbourne, Australia.  It was constructed on on the site of the demolished Ladies Bowling Club within the southern section of the park and it is intended to improve the health of Merri Creek and the Yarra River by filtering pollutants from captured stormwater. 1

Some of the facts and figures brought to us by our friends at Landezine are below, but we were impressed on first glance by the overall composition and diagram. A thoughtful design apparently well executed. Although, we would probably have to contact the City of Yarra to find out how it is truly performing. In the meantime, enjoy the some of the initial info and the eye candy!

Nice Diagram! Image courtesy of Landezine

"The raingarden is to provide a sustainable source of treated stormwater for the parks mature trees and sporting fields in a way that added to the existing landscape character of the park and added interest for users. Melbourne has experienced drought conditions for a number of years now and this project was to replace the existing need for potable water being used to irrigate our parks and gardens.

This raingarden is designed to remove 16,000 kg of annual total suspended solids per year of operation. It will also remove a further 160 kg of nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen, through vegetation growth. This litter and pollutants would otherwise end up in Melbourne’s waterways. Filtered water is then collected into a 200KL underground storage tank, and used to irrigate existing trees within the Edinburgh Gardens; providing around 60% of their irrigation needs in a normal year.

In a normal year, the raingarden is expected to reduce potable water use for irrigation by 4 ML per annum.
The project involved sourcing stormwater from the North Fitzroy Main Drain and diverting it to a newly designed terraced raingarden within the Edinburgh Gardens, with the treated water being harvested for storage and irrigation of the trees within the park and local precinct.

Image courtesy of Landezine

The main components of the project were:

• Diversion pipe from North Fitzroy Main Drain with gross pollutant trap
• Surcharge pit into 700 sq.m rain garden.
• Terraced raingarden with appropriate planting and filter media to treat stormwater.
• Overflow pit with underground pipe connected to 200 kilo-litre underground storage facility with pump to irrigation distribution.

As described above the majority of the works undertaken to achieve this were underground with the large raingarden providing the visual element. The main design features of the raingarden are:

• Native plant species planting
• Filter media and appropriate plants that help to treat the stormwater through uptake of excessive nutrients and filtering fine sediments.
• Four large terraces that respond to the sites natural grade, therefore minimising the requirement for taller retaining walls and balustrade, allowing informal public interaction,
• Terrace walls that extend out into the landscape to create lawn ‘room’ areas for passive recreation. These areas will create elevated views over the raingarden and provide different spatial experience in this area of the park which is currently characterised by large unbroken lawn areas.
• The strong lines of the extended terrace walls is repeated in the bands of planting in response to the recent history of the site as the location for the Inner Circle Railway Line.
• A ‘zig zagging’ feature steel low flow channel, connected to the surcharge pit, that delivers water to all four terraces in rain events.
• New tree planting to provide shade and enclosure for new small lawn areas
• Continuously curved edge to reinforce line of new shared path and existing avenue planting."2

 Image courtesy of Landezine

 Image courtesy of Landezine

 Image courtesy of Landezine

 Image courtesy of Landezine

 Image courtesy of Landezine

Works Cited:

1 http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Environment/Parks-and-reserves/Edinburgh-Gardens/Proposed-Raingarden/
2  http://www.landezine.com/index.php/2012/10/edinburgh-gardens-raingarden-by-ghd-pty-ltd/

Cornell Structural Soil

Photo Courtesy of Vimeo and Cornell Horticulture

 Below is a video, produced by Cornell University, where one Platanus × acerifolia (London plane tree) was excavated and transplanted from a parking lot.  One tree sample size, with no control group, and no evidence that the independent and dependent variables have been isolated does not a scientific evaluation make, and it is a self evaluation, but it's an interesting video none-the-less.  It also doesn't explain why the roots were broken rather than pruned with a sterilized instrument...maybe someone with more nursery experience can let us know!

Urban Prairie

Photo Courtesy of www.worldlandscapearchitect.com

The Canadian Museum of Civilization, designed by Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal and inaugurated in 1989, is comprised of two pavilions, their architecture a startling embodiment of the country’s distinguishing geographical features. The public display wing replicates the dramatic effect of the glaciers; the contours of the curatorial wing symbolize the majestic Canadian Shield; and the open Plaza simulates the vast Great Plains. The layout and sheer size of the Plaza were planned in such a way as to visually incorporate the Museum buildings and the Parliament Buildings perched across the Ottawa River. However, the Plaza’s lack of appeal had left it empty of visitors for much of the year. To remedy the situation, we extended the Museum’s original conceptual metaphor, bringing to life what had long remained latent: the swaying grasses of the Prairies. (1)

Photo Courtesy of www.worldlandscapearchitect.com

Photo Courtesy of www.worldlandscapearchitect.com

Photo Courtesy of www.worldlandscapearchitect.com

Photo Courtesy of www.worldlandscapearchitect.com

Photo Courtesy of www.worldlandscapearchitect.com

On first glance we thought it looked similar the Native American Museum in DC...

Photo Courtesy of www.whereisdarrennow.com

(1) All text from: http://www.worldlandscapearchitect.com/?p=8632

(a)bioitic Consults on New Allen Lane Station in Mt Airy

The Allen Lane station is located in the Mt. Airy neighbor hood of Philadelphia, PA.  It was constructed in 1880 and it's design is attributed to architect Frank Furness and now houses a well visited coffee shop.  In 1930 a wonderful pedestrian bridge spanned the tracks and blended smoothly with the station.  The building and bridge have stood as a stunning example of the Victorian style, and although they had fallen to disrepair, it was important to residents that their unique character be maintained. 

In August of 2009, reconstruction began with $6.9 million federal money. Construction can and often is difficult work and the Allen Lane project but was stalled by weather and other construction conflicts.  The renovations include adding ADA-accessible ramps (the platform itself was raised 4 feet) and outdoor shelters, as well as reconstructing the pedestrian bridge.  In addition, an ambitious planting plan should bring many beautiful and wildlife friendly native species.

Bidge and Platform Before construction.

In the summer of 2010 an initial and ultimately unsuccessful attempt at a landscape installation was made.  The soil was never properly stabilized and the proper planting soil was not used.  Many of the neighbors are anxious to see the project complete and since the initial landscape was a failure, are excited to see the landscape.

Because, of their experience with construction and planting Ben and Emily from (a)biotic design studio were asked to consult with SEPTA.   Along with a representative from the West Mount Airy Neighbor's Streetscape Committee as well as the leader of the local Town Watch, they were on a fact finding and networking mission to help the landscape reach its full potential. 

The landscape schedule is still undetermined and many of the ongoing maintenance conversations will not be able to take place until the plants are in the ground.  (a)biotic expressed their concerns regarding slope stabilization and tree protection but in general  communicated their satisfaction with the workmanship and quality of the bridge and hardscape construction.  SEPTA seemed to be as interested as the local residents to see the place succeed as a beautiful and functional social space that is enjoyed and cared for by the community.


Stay tuned for updates on construction and ribbon cutting dates!