Introduction

1. Development of a Sustainable Landscape Architecture Best Practices Manual Submitted By: Peter Cacciatore, James Hogan, Rebecca Mattern, Angel Munoz Introduction Electronic Best Practices Manual Once the BPM was completed, it was posted to the electronic Best Practices Manual (eBPM) available on Stantec’s internal network. The eBPM is used by Stantec employees to familiarize themselves with the basics of the sustainable practices studied. The web pages were created using html coding. An example of a web page can be seen in the figure to the left. • To help engineers at Stantec Consulting Ltd. identify applicable sustainable landscape architecture practices in their planning and design work, this project compiled a Best Practices Manual (BPM) that was posted on StanNet (Stantec’s secure internal web site) in an electronic format. • The topics covered in this project include: • Green roofs • Green walls • Permeable pavements • Stormwater runoff infiltration • Constructed wetlands • Rainwater harvesting • Xeriscaping • Air Handler Condensate Recovery • District Energy Systems Stormwater Runoff Infiltration System Example Example of a Permeable Pavement Application of Best Practices Manual The best practices manual was applied to the potential installation of a green roof on a building located on the Clareview Recreational Center & Branch Library site in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. An existing structure and a proposed expansion were analyzed to determine the feasibility of installing either an extensive or intensive green roof. The difference between an intensive and extensive green roof is shown in the table below: Example Constructed Wetland System Best Practices Manual Format The Best Practices Manual (BPM) that was created consists of information on sustainable landscape architecture practices. The information that was included for each practice includes: Potential Benefits: Benefits that could be utilized by enacting the sustainable practice are listed. Case studies were used whenever possible. Potential Risks and Considerations: Any major risks to the environment, effectiveness of the systems, or social considerations associated with the practice are listed. Estimated Costs: All cost data gathered on a practice is presented including rough estimates from design professionals in the field, the costs of previous case studies, and published rules of thumb. Recommended Site Characteristics: Any site characteristics that might affect the practice are listed here. Potential LEED Credits: LEED credits the practice could help obtain are listed. Relevant Stantec Projects: Past Stantec projects that contain similar design aspects to the aforementioned practice are listed with a brief description. Stantec Employee Interviews: The responses of Stantec employees to interviews conducted via email, phone, or in person are listed here. • The feasibility of three green roof options were compared. Those options were: an extensive green roof on the entire structure, an intensive green roof on the entire structure, and an intensive roof on the new construction with an extensive on the old construction. To determine the most attractive option the following factors were considered: • Thermal benefits • Storm water management benefits • Improvements to the surrounding air quality • Structural considerations • Installation costs Example of a Green Wall Layout of the Building Under Consideration Once these factors were taken into account the table difference in yearly costs between the green roofs a normal roof, the installation of a green roof, and the payback period of the green roof options were calculated. The results of these calculations are shown in the table below. Air Handler Condensate Recovery System Example Based on environmental benefits and cost information, it was concluded that the extensive roof on the existing building and the new construction was the best option. Acknowledgements Project Advisors: Fred Hart and Suzanne LePage Project Sponsor: Klaas Rodenburg and Stantec Inc. Example of a Rainwater Harvesting System Portion of Electronic Best Practices Manual