Joshua T. Schmackers

Here is some pics from the project I described below- this was from 3 months ago and is coming along nicely. Note the re-used granite that we incorporated from existing curbs on the street. The sidewalk is alternating concrete broom finish and shell agreggate wash.

Greet links, they helped a lot on a recent project. Thanks!
 

Thanks for your photos Chris.  Deadrick street looks great!
Kevin– yes, we are installing planters over storm inlets. 
Any feedback is appreciated.

What is the grade and the largest amount of water you are dealing with? The planter needs to be designed to handle whatever nature throws at you.  You can retrofit the drain like Chris said to become the overflow at the down end of your planter. If you have a lot of slope, check dams can hold the water and pool it to infiltrate fully. Then the…[Read more]

Are you talking about installing a planter over a storm inlet, or a storm line? 

We are designing stormwater bioretention planters for a downtown.  We want to place a planter where a storm drain currently exists.  Can a planter be designed over a storm drain and be an effective bioretention measure — i.e. slowing down rainwater but not completely infiltrating?  Appreciate any input.

John, thanks for sharing.  Do you have any site photos, from these projects, that you’re able to post here?

If anybody here has done any public work involving raingardens in Florida let me know! Since I have been working for my firm here in Tampa we have completed 4 to 5 significant “raingarden” type projects; one of them being a LAP FDOT streetscape for Tarpon Springs. Public work involving stormwater management in a creative way is far and few…[Read more]

Here in india, i do not think how much points or requiremrnt is fulfilled as per LEED USA, but green building is done in india on based on india green building council .
explain more about your projects about commerical/ factory/ park /residentials.

Does anybody have any experience with LEED projects in India? We are working on a possible LEED ND project in Tamil Nadu and I’m not sure how some of the US requirements will transfer over there. Is the USGBC pretty amenable to adjusting the prerequisites based on differences in infrastructure systems?

Jon Q. asked about construction documents for green street work. After mining Portland’s BES site, i found a lot. Very helpful.

Thank you Eric for your feedback – invaluable information since many have been asking about the LEED GA exam.

Just sat for the GA Exam and passed on the first attempt. It’s definitely distilled down from the old version of the exams. From my perspective the LEED GA is a great credential for LAs to have the distinction, but without having to go through the specialty portions that are beyond our typical work. Sustainable Sites is where I’m placing my emphasis.

I know many of you are concerned with the cost of Labash….well let me reassure you about what you are getting for the money!!!

2 dinners fully catered
2 lunches
Open bar for 3 nights…come on guys you can’t beat this
Tours (fees included in reg price)
Transportation to all of our events and tours
Amazing Lectures by: Mark Rios, Walter Hood,…[Read more]

That’s fantastic to know USGBC is taking SiTES seriously. Alot of fellow designers have been very concerned about how SITES and LEED will integrate or if any integration will take place at all!?!?! There are so many great things about SITES that it would be a shame for LEED to miss. Thanks for the note, Heather!

Hey Folks! Just a quick note to say hello and introduce myself. After completing the 2009 report, I resigned as project manager of the Sustainable Sites Initiative to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with my 7 month old son. I am currently working with the USGBC as a subject matter expert to incorporate portions of the Sustainable…[Read more]

Thanks much to Chad and Charles. Are there specific details that you used, or did you just design your own details for each specific site? I’m going to look at SSI and see if there are any parking lots in their case studies; looking for pictures of good examples to show client that it can look good as well as earn them LEED credits!

Naomi-
If 6″ curbs are a must, explore the possibility of using curb cuts at regular intervals or where it makes sense….the cuts will still allow runoff to enter the depression. Clay soils? Maybe grade soil towards a central trench/basin filled with gravel. Put an underdrain at the bottom of the gravel and follow Charles’ suggestion of piping…[Read more]

Naomi
We have done quite a few parking lots with the planting islands as depressed catchment areas. Most of the time we have to plumb them together to get rid of the water as infiltration is not good. One problem I have seen is that these areas tend collect litter and looks bad unless cleaned oftern.

I just took a little Green Associate Review the week before last as part of training for BPI (Building Performance Institute) certification. I plan to take the GA test within the next few weeks, so I’ll post how it goes.