The
landscape is a connected and complex system of bio-diverse plant communities
and stormwater
management infrastructure that responds to existing conditions in climate,
vegetation, and other geo-biological components. It contains the following
four layers of spaces transition the residents from the very public
streets to the semi public cell interior.
•Gateways located
closest to the exterior of the cells announce the entry into interior
landscapes with formal planted areas and in some cases garden structures.
The plant material is sculptural, colorful and different between cells
highlighting fall and spring color.
•Microclimate located
closest to the residential structures create microclimatic conditions that
respond to sun, shade and wind. These areas require a careful selection of
plant material to offset these effects and provide spaces for pedestrian
circulation and some community gathering.
•Social
Spaces and Managed Landscape located
in the interior of the cells and between buildings provide a great opportunity
to promote community interaction of different types and at different scales.
Spaces can be designed to accommodate formal social gatherings while other
spaces can be left to the cell community to use for play, gardening or any
other type of use they may decide. In these spaces pant material will provide a
sense of enclosure and highlight changes in season.
•Ecological
Area located
in the interior of the cell landscape connects with the overall ecological
landscape design that performs explicit ecologic functions like stormwater
management and biodiversity. These areas may serve a visual and
educational purpose and connect the residents to the areas agricultural roots.
The plants
change with the seasons. The colors of all the seasons are represented on the
awnings of the towers.