Due to limited land areas available for campus open space, it is imperative for stormwater mitigation areas to function as usable open spaces as well. A number of projects described below focus on larger scale recreation and mitigation of storm flows, while other projects accomplish not only multi-use objective but also incorporate water harvesting micro-basins and water storage structures.
The Architecture Building Addition rain garden includes a 3-story cistern feed by roof collected rain water and AC condensate. This water is used to irrigate the garden and provide water for a "bio-sponge" (pond) area of the garden.
This project is located on the North side of Helen Street, East of Highland Avenue. The roof of the parking garage drains into a large retention basin, with the water bubbling onto the upper end of the lawn and draining to the lower, landscaped end of the basin. Water harvesting basins were implemented as a standard feature throughout all areas of the landscape, a first for any project at the UA. This project represents an evolution of the idea of integrating multiple uses within a stormwater mitigation facility, with universal access, benches, shade, and lawn for recreation.
The AHSC open space and detention project serves as a major stormwater detention feature for much of the runoff generated on the southwest portion of the AHSC campus. The basin was designed for active and passive recreation, with exercise trails on the perimeter and sitting overlooks located along the pathways. Detained water infiltrates and helps water lawn and trees.
The LSB quadrangle collects water, generated by buildings on the east and west, in a recessed lawn area, with an overflow to the southwest. The lawn and vegetation around its perimeter benefit from the harvested water. The LSB building, west of the Quadrangle, directs roof runoff into a courtyard which has a water motif in the paving pattern. Rainwater follows this path over hardscape and through planters before reaching the turf Quadrangle. Rainwater is evident as a functional and symbolic element in the form of the building.
The Pavilion roof and plaza extended existing roof drains from the Mckale Center to bubblers at the top of a series of terraces defined by seat walls, between which are Mesquite trees. The landscape is designed to allow water to be retained in each terrace, and then overflow into the next terrace via notched spillways in the terrace walls.
© 2008 Arizona Board of Regents
