The landscape for the Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse in downtown Albuquerque by Rios Clementi Hale Studios of Los Angeles, has earned a 2-Star Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) certification.
Photo: Robert Reck

In 2010, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) commissioned Rios Clementi Hale Studios of Los Angeles to create a model of sustainable landscape for the Pete V. Domenici federal courthouse in downtown Albuquerque.

The building, completed in 1998, is named in honor of New Mexico Senator Peter Domenici (Rep.), who served six terms (1973-2009).

The courthouse was among a select group of pilot projects chosen for SITES rating, which is based on a 250-point scale. The Rios Clementi Hale Studios' landscape design earned 129 points, which is a two-star SITES certification.

Samantha Harris, ASLA, LEED AP, senior associate at Rios Clementi Hale Studios, explained the goal for the courthouse landscape was using existing site elements to create a cohesive park-like design, rooted in the area's ecology and cultural heritage.

"We wanted the new planting design to work in concert with the low garden walls, terraces, and pathways," she explains, while reflecting the "decorum, mission, and authority of the court, and the ideals of justice."

The courthouse landscape encompasses 3.3 acres. To create a culturally-based identity for the courthouse, the landscape architects employed a diagonal arrangement of landscape features derived from contemporary abstractions of Pueblo patterns. Visitors approach the main entrance by walking on orderly paths, or by leisurely meandering through a landscape of native trees and plants.

"The SITES project has had an overall positive impact on operations and management," said Stuart Blakely, SITES team member and GSA property manager for the courthouse. "Reducing water consumption, replacement of high-water use and fertilizer dependent plant species, and the switch to long life exterior fixtures [LEDs] have significantly redirected the maintenance efforts at the property."

Site runoff was greatly reduced by replacing 21,000 square feet of hardscape with plantings, and installing a rainwater collection and reuse system. Some of the old hardscape was repurposed. Solar panels, installed atop pre-existing surfaces, supply 100 percent of the site's energy needs.

SITES guidelines also consider how projects pertain to the community. The landscape architects met that goal by creating a working example of a new, sustainable landscape for interpretive, educational and demonstration purposes. It promotes sustainability awareness and education by offering a fold-out map and project website where people can learn more about water and materials reuse, solar energy, habitat restoration and site history.

SITES is a partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas, Austin, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the U.S. Green Building Council. USGBC envisions incorporating SITES guidelines into future versions of the council's LEED green building rating system.

The Rios Clementi Hale Studios project team included Mark Rios, FASLA, FAIA, principal in charge; Samantha Harris, ASLA, LEED AP, senior associate; Mike Tramutola, RLA, associate; Brent Jacobsen, ASLA, LEED green associate, designer; Ananda Kantner, ASLA, designer; and Nick Glase, designer. Affiliated firms included: AIC General Contractor, general contractor; The Hilltop Landscape Architects & Contractors, landscape contractor; Natural Systems International/Biohabitats, civil, plumbing, water system engineer; KPFF Consulting Engineers, structural engineer; Syska Hennessy Group, electrical engineer; Kaplan Gehring McCarroll Architectural Lighting, Inc., lighting designer; Bryan Suhr, arborist; Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, waterproofing; Surroundings, Inc., irrigation designer; Positive Energy, photovoltaic design consultant.