The new Sea Scout Base in Galveston, Texas, was designed with four low-impact development strategies in mind: stormwater treatment, stormwater collection and reuse, utilization of native plant species, and a rooftop garden. The LEED Gold project includes four cisterns with a total volume of 84,000 gallons. Forty-two percent of the total site hardscapes are permeable interlocking concrete pavers.

Charles and Rosemary Doolin recently transformed their vision of teaching young people about the sea into a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art base in Galveston, Texas. Sea Scout Base Galveston is a future destination for Boy Scouts and Sea Scouts from all over the country, as well as local youth and residents interested in experiencing aquatic adventures. The base will also offer land-based learning opportunities derived from four low-impact development strategies: stormwater treatment, stormwater collection and reuse (four cisterns with a volume of 84,000 gallons), utilization of native plant species, and a rooftop garden.

As a LEED Gold project, site hardscapes were designed to treat and reuse stormwater runoff rather than discharging it untreated into the adjacent bayou. Forty-two percent of total site hardscape is composed of permeable interlocking concrete pavers, which, when combined with the infiltration capacity of the native soil and the storage capacity of the pavement profile, will successfully treat a majority of Galveston's rain events. A total of 49,000 square feet of pavers were installed in the project – a mix of Pavestone's Eco-Priora and City Stone I products with marble, pewter and charcoal colors in a herringbone pattern. The City Stone pavers (19,000 square feet) were installed over a 4"-6" concrete surface with 1" of sand between the pavers and the concrete. There is also sand in the joints. The Eco-Priora pavers (30,000 square feet) were installed over open graded aggregates with small aggregates in the paver joints. Rainwater flows through the paver joints into the aggregates, filtering the water and providing water storage. The water ultimately flows into the sand subgrade below.

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A total of 49,000 square feet of pavers were installed in the project – a mix of Pavestone's City Stone I and Eco-Priora products with marble, pewter and charcoal colors in a herringbone pattern. The City Stone pavers (19,000 square feet) were installed over a 4"-6" concrete surface with 1" of sand between the pavers and the concrete. There is also sand in the joints. The Eco-Priora pavers (30,000 square feet) were installed over open graded aggregates with small aggregates in the paver joints.

Runoff from 19 percent of the remaining impervious surfaces will be cleansed in a constructed wetland situated at the front door of the project. In addition to treating runoff from vehicular pavements, all the rainwater collected from the dormitory's large entry canopy will be directed to the wetland, artfully reinforcing its important functions. The remaining 39 percent of water from the impervious surfaces will be collected in four large, above ground cisterns for reuse in a state of the art irrigation system.

Site water will be managed to ensure that every available drop is used. The use of supplemental potable water will be eliminated and over 1.2 million gallons saved in the first year of operation alone. Over the course of 2-3 years, the native plant palette will be weaned off an established watering schedule, and a balance will be achieved between annual harvested water and landscape water requirements. Additionally, a control system and onsite weather station have been specified for the project to monitor daily watering requirements, and provide real-time system adjustments to steward water use. A flow system and master valve will allow for monitoring of the irrigation system, limiting water loss due to system malfunctions or pipe breakage.

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The base sits on a 10-acre shoreline site. Site water is managed to ensure that every available drop is used. The use of supplemental potable water will be eliminated and over 1.2 million gallons saved in the first year of operation alone. Over the course of 2-3 years, the native plant palette will be weaned off an established watering schedule, and a balance will be achieved between annual harvested water and landscape water requirements. A flow system and master valve will allow for monitoring of the irrigation system, limiting water loss due to system malfunctions or pipe breakage. Runoff from 19 percent of the impervious surfaces will be cleansed in a constructed wetland situated at the front door of the project.

Ninety-five percent of the site's plants are native to the region, including coastal grasses, wetland plants, site trees and the intensive green roof on the dormitory rooftop. All plants serve multiple functions, including moderating site microclimates, enhancing the efficiency of building HVAC systems, cleansing water, providing beauty and thriving with minimal human input in the local coastal environment. Palm trees were transplanted and reused on site and salt tolerant, coastal native sand live oaks specified. In addition to large specimen oaks, hundreds of sand oak acorns were hand-selected from a local oak grove to be transplanted into live oak mottes. These acorns are from a stand of live oaks that have withstood hurricanes and salt water inundation over centuries. The landscape also supports the migratory songbirds in crossing the Gulf of Mexico as a resting place every spring. Local birds and butterflies also utilize these plants on a daily basis.

From the sustainable architecture to the water-saving landscape and hardscape, Sea Scout Base Galveston will be a destination providing youth across the country ample opportunity to interact with and learn in aquatic environments, while developing a deeper appreciation for stewarding the resources available to us on land.

Team List
Landscape Architect: Tary Arterburn, ASLA, Studio Outside, Dallas
Architect: Bob Randall, AIA, Randall-Porterfield Architects, Inc., League City, Texas
Civil Engineer: Marcus Michna, PE, Shelmark Engineering, Dickinson, Texas