Copyright VERDEK-EV
There are some interesting developments on alternative energy in Dallas and I wonder what the effect will be for future landscape design. Oncor plans to install 850 miles of transmission lines from West Texas windmills to recharge electric vehicles in Texas. Dallas has a recharging station that opened on September 2010 at the Half-Price Bookstore on Northwest Highway east of US 75. There are less than a dozen others throughout the metroplex, at least as of this writing.
One thing to consider is how the growing number of recharging stations will affect the urban landscape. Commercial landscapes may include more and more recharge stations amongst other utility configurations. But how do will these recharge stations affect traffic patterns and be incorporated into site design? Is there opportunity here for landscape and urban designers to make a difference (even if these utilities fall under the purview of utility companies)?
Check out the concepts for electric recharge stations by Evoasis, based in the U.S. and the U.K.. The company incorporates electric vehicle Rapid-Charge stations (EVSTAT) into existing parking areas. In some cases, they retrofit abandoned gas stations and other neglected areas to accommodate these stations.
Copyright EVOASIS
Copyright EVOASIS
Thinking beyond recharging stations, how can landscape designers plug into the wave of alternative energy? In one application, landscape architect, Walter Hood, designed a campus plan with solar arrays. The large panels are iconic and serve as functional art pieces. The 5000 solar arrays will supply power to student housing. It is a laudable foray into newer territory of alternative energy as functional landscape design.
Copyright University of Buffalo
But landscape designers don’t have to apply renewable energy into design with large gestures. Architects already incorporate energy-efficient methods/tools such as solar panels into building facades. An increasing number of site amenities use energy-efficient LED lighting. Newer concepts show street lighting that draws and stores energy from solar or wind energy by day to be illuminated at night. What about paving? LED and solar-powered pavers are available now. The images below show paver installations with Meteor Solar LED pavers.
Copyright Meteor Solar LED pavers
Copyright Meteor Solar LED pavers
Water in the Metroplex Region
Written by: D. Buckley on November 16, 2010 @ 5:46 pm
My last post was on xeric gardening, and this will be an important footnote. I recently learned of two interesting reports that discuss future water availability or lack of it. The first study (July 2010) comes from the Natural Resources Defense Council; it’s titled “Climate Change, Water, and Risk: Current Water Demands Are Not Sustainable“. [...]
Catogories: Sustainable Design, Xeric PlantingRead more
Texas, Water, and Xeric Planting
Written by: D. Buckley on September 27, 2010 @ 10:49 pm
How green was my valley. Greener pastures. The grass is always greener on the other side. The all-American lawn is fastidious, well-coiffed, and an appealing shade of emerald. All this speaks to the level of forethought and care owners bestow on their home’s welcome carpet. A perfect lawn means the owner is just another law-abiding [...]
Catogories: Native Vegetation, Residential Design, Sustainable Design, Xeric PlantingRead more
Metroplex Industry and Sustainable Design
Written by: D. Buckley on August 31, 2010 @ 4:39 pm
What would happen if we started applying sustainable design practices to the least aesthetic of places? Industry is zoned separately from residential areas. They are relegated to the status of an economically useful eyesore. Their close proximity is bound to reduce property values. Making them beautiful would be a challenge. But what if we were [...]
Catogories: Green Roofs, Industrial Landscapes, Native Habitat, Native Vegetation, Sustainable DesignRead more
More Design with Recycled Glass: Cao Perrot Studio
Written by: D. Buckley on August 10, 2010 @ 5:38 pm
I recently corresponded with the landscape designer, Andy Cao, but it was after I posted my last blog on recycled glass design in the landscape. He is one half of the artist and landscape duo known as Cao-Perrot Studio. The other half is Xavier Perrot who is based in Paris, France. Their firm also includes [...]
Catogories: Art & Design, Cultural Landscapes, Parks and Recreation, Recycled Materials, Residential DesignRead more
Designing with recycled glass
Written by: D. Buckley on August 8, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
I thought I’d explore and present various ways that recycled glass can be used to enhance landscape design. Using recycled materials in construction and design is a wonderful way be sustainable and elevate points in a LEED project. Glass has qualities of reflection and iridescence, and comes in a wide variety of colors. The more [...]
Catogories: Recycled Materials, Residential Design, Sustainable DesignRead more
Great Trinity Forest and Groundwork Dallas
Written by: D. Buckley on August 4, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
South of Dallas lies a precious natural feature and a Metroplex treasure: the Great Trinity Forest (GTF). Over 6000 acres, it is also the largest American urban, bottomland, hardwood forest, and is part of the Trinity River Corridor. The forest contains species such as Cottonwood, Cedar Elm, Pecan, Ash, Walnut, Sycamore, and Bur Oak. Wildlife [...]
Catogories: Landscape Preservation, Native Habitat, Native Vegetation, Open Land Spaces, Parks and RecreationRead more
Designing Urban Spaces, and Beer Gardens
Written by: D. Buckley on July 25, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
No, that title is not just to catch your attention. Although the summer heat in Dallas makes me thirsty, I have my water for now. I was just thinking about biergartens, or beer gardens, which my husband keeps telling me is sorely lacking in the Metroplex (I think the Gingerman in uptown comes close though). [...]
Catogories: Community Spaces, Cultural Landscapes, Urban SpacesRead more
Cultural Landscapes of the Displaced
Written by: D. Buckley on @ 3:33 pm
I was going to write about the community garden I visited this past Saturday in east Dallas. I will write more about it in another post. The reason is I had an emotional response to this particular garden because it reminded me of someone. Seeing this community garden reminded me of my mom, and how [...]
Catogories: Community Garden, Cultural LandscapesRead more