Today’s initiatives in sustainable site design have been largely implemented on a site-by-site basis, yet these sites form connections to our communities through environmental systems and social fabrics which is often underappreciated.  As Olin imagines where sustainable site design goes next, we are ever inspired by the broadminded thinking about our public realm places espoused by designers, such as Frederick Law Olmsted, and realize that in imagining the future, we will need to learn from the past.  

Attendees will see a historical context to today’s thinking about sustainability and green infrastructure.  Examples of progressive site design reflecting these principles will be shared, including the design of a stunning new public park on the site of the historic Washington Canal in the heart of DC’s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.  

Canal Park will transform an abandoned and contaminated bus parking lot into a sustainable and green neighborhood gathering place and destination for the entire city.  The project utilizes geothermal heating and cooling, vegetated roof surfaces, water reuse systems, and energy/water monitoring dashboard systems. The stormwater reuse system, first of its kind in Washington DC, is designed to collect rainwater from surrounding development parcels and includes a purification process which allows the water to be re-used for interactive features such as the jet fountain, spray irrigation, and the skating rink. Other examples of award-winning water-receiving landscape projects from the firm’s portfolio will be also be shared.