The Destinations Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. This project was not chosen for a Feature in the issue, but we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought the project deserved to be showcased online . . .

 
A refreshing and unique hospitality project within a rapidly changing section of the city, ARRIVE Austin illustrates high quality urban design, innovation, and a seamless integration of architecture, landscape, and interiors. DWG's scope encompassed a roof terrace, a courtyard and cocktail bar, Lefty's Brick Bar-a repurposed existing brick building-and the streetscapes along the iconic 6th Street and Chicon Street. The design team provided one-of-a-kind detailing solutions that included innovative water quality integrated into the courtyard, soil cells that increase soil volume for street trees 10 times above code requirements, and a roof terrace bar that features custom millwork furniture and a seamless extension of the interior design. Project planners integrated green infrastructure into their strategy, prioritizing proper soil volume for their proposed urban forest. The team at DWG Landscape Architecture, despite not being required by local standards to meet a soil volume minimum, recognized the superiority of the DeepRoot Silva Cell system, and chose to incorporate it into their plans. It serves as the foundation for eight trees, a thriving urban forest that helps reduce the often-stifling heat island effect experienced in Texas summers.

A total of 120 (2X) Silva Cells were utilized in this project, providing support for the suspended pavement, allowing for ample soil volume and loosely compacted soil to grow healthy and mature trees, and meeting engineering requirements for above-ground activity. "The team's hard work and forward-thinking paid off," recognized DWG. "Through the use of DeepRoot Silva Cells, the project achieved six times the uncompacted soil volume typically provided by conventional tree pits with grates." The 500 cubic feet of soil volume each Silva Cell is providing per tree not only allows for root growth and soil health, but also acts as an onsite stormwater management system. By combining the Silva Cell system with a pervious, decomposed granite surface, the rainwater is kept onsite and creates a passive irrigation system for the trees. Likewise, the irrigation system prevents runoff.

"[The] paver grate system [used] to maximize the overall sidewalk width became an important factor," DWG observed. "Additionally, a continuous tree trench along street frontage incorporated a pervious paver system above the soil cells to encourage the infiltration of stormwater to reduce the amount of surface runoff from the site." Finally, the DeepRoot Silva Cell system was an essential element in the creation of shade to reduce heat island effect: an important goal of the project design team to design a pedestrian-friendly walkable block. According to data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, six months out of the year Austin averages 88-degree daily high temperatures (with July and August reaching 100-degree highs). The shade offered by an urban forest tree canopy can lower the temperature by up to 12.5 degrees through evapotranspiration. The DeepRoot Silva Cells help ensure the healthy, full growth of these trees, which furnish a shady respite for Austin visitors.

To have your project featured in LASN or on LandscapeArchitect.com please email editorial@landscapearchitect.com

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php