KPA is the landscape architect
for this new Public Housing project located in downtown Indianapolis.
Designed in the urban living style, the project was designed to utilize
Green Vegetated Roof tops over the three parking structures to help reduce
the urban heat island effect and to reduce storm water runoff. The project
was also designed with Rain Gardens and a central Bio-Swale, of which
both collect and transfer storm water back into the ground water system
while native plantings provide cleansing and filtering BMP’s of
the storm water runoff. All site plantings were native and sustainable
species, capable of tolerating drought conditions and not requiring expensive
irrigation systems or extensive maintenance.
Street tree and perimeter plantings also helped to shade
the buildings and create the urban edge within the heart of this city
neighborhood. Additional ‘green screen’ trellis plantings
were used to soften and screen the large openings into the parking structures
as a natural element. The project bids came in under budget.