Phytoremediation is the use of green plants and their associated microorganisms to stabilize or reduce inorganic and organic contamination in soils and surfacewater or groundwater. In other words, the process of using trees and other plants as biological filters. It is also a key component of what we mean when we talk about ecosystem services… More
I read a lot of news stories about development projects described by words like sustainable, walkable, dense, and multi-use. These characteristics are experiencing a real surge in emphasis from both a design standpoint and from media coverage, and rightly so. They are some of the pillars of community design that support the physical and economic… More
This hydrograph (diagram showing runoff flow versus time) compares the intense spike of a stream during a storm in an urbanized watershed without adequate controls, with the “gentle rolling hill” appearance of a forested watershed’s response to the same storm. Note the loss of dry weather base flow for the stream in the urbanized watershed…. More
Back in January we posted about a project in Shoreline, WA, where the Silva Cells were being used to extend a sidewalk rain garden underneath paving. This stretch of the project is finally completed! It looks amazing, and we’ve got a case study to tell you all about it.
Uptown Circle, the centerpiece of an urban redevelopment project in the central Illinois town of Normal, was recently honored by the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects at its annual Celebration in Chicago. Designed by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, the project received the President’s Award in the Urban category, the highest recognition… More
In the end, the core of all of our discussions about green infrastructure comes down to soil volume. Adequate soil volume is the seedling from which our particular variety of green infrastructure grows (literally and figuratively). It is what allows us to even consider the role that huge, mature trees and on-site stormwater management can… More
One of the most common and simple ways to direct stormwater into Silva Cells is to install pervious pavers above the system so that rain can drain through the pervious pavers directly into the Silva Cells. (For other ways to get water in, check out our stormwater schematics.) One of the most common questions we… More
The DeepRoot team has developed a set of Stormwater Schematics (look under the Standard Details, Specifications, & Schematics section) to help designers envision how to get stormwater into and out of the Silva Cell system. While there are limitless possibilities for how to design stormwater management techniques on your site, these Schematics give designers a… More
Today’s blog post is actually a sneak peak of our most recent case study, and highlights a Silva Cell installation at a Lidl Store car park in New Milton. It will be available for download off the website shortly. The open expanse of most car parks makes them unpleasant places in almost all weather conditions, whether… More
It’s not exactly news that urban detritus isn’t good for the environment, and a recent BuildingGreen.com newsbrief reviews another recent study demonstrating that urban runoff is bad for steam biodiversity.
Illinois ASLA “President’s Award – Urban Category,” 2010 U.S. EPA National Award for “Smart Growth Achievement,” 2011 U.S. FTA/FHA “Transportation Planning Excellence Award,” 2012 Landscaping codes that emphasize tree growth, shade, and the minimization of heat-island effect are increasingly taking hold around the twin cities region of Bloomington and Normal, Illinois. The area, which has… More
Soil. Stormwater. Sustainable Infrastructure.
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