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First Gold Certification for SITES V211-22-16 | News

First Gold Certification for SITES V2

Navy Pier on Lake Michigan

Navy Pier celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2016 with festivities including the unveiling of enhancements, new arts and cultural programming and the completion of a first phase of redevelopment, led by landscape architecture and design firm, James Corner Field Operations.
Photo: © Sahar Coston-Hardy for Navy Pier, Inc. and James Corner Field Operations

Emphasizing expanded green spaces, improved pedestrian access, energy efficiency, innovative storm water management and use of recycled local materials, the remake of Chicago's Navy Pier is the first project to receive Gold certification under the Sustainable SITES Initiative v2 rating system.

Landscape architecture and urban design firm James Corner Field Operations led the Phase 1 redesign that included a new green spine, a more open and tree-lined South Dock Promenade, a newly developed Polk Bros. Park and Fountain, the planting of hundreds of new native and appropriately adapted trees, and the installation of an irrigation system that uses redirected stormwater.

According to the company, the energy efficient lighting, pumps, aerators and more will add up to an estimated 60 percent reduction of total energy consumption. In addition, Navy Pier Inc. signed on to a five-year Green-e certified renewable energy credit contract for 100 percent of its energy usage.

Almost 30 percent of materials used were made from recycled content, and throughout the construction process, 100 percent of the structural waste and 99.94 percent of roadway and infrastructure waste was diverted from landfills. Navy Pier recently received approval for the next phase of redevelopment and reportedly will continue its commitment to sustainability.

Managed by Green Business Certification Inc., SITES was developed by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden. SITES credits are achieved in categories that include site context, water use, soils and vegetation, materials selection, human health, construction, maintenance and innovation in design.

More information about Navy Pier can be found at https://www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article.php/27514