Before & After Green: Domenici U.S. Courthouse Water Retrofit

Image: Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse pre-construction, courtesy of Biohabitats, Inc.

Image: Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse post-construction, courtesy of Biohabitats, Inc.

A conventional landscape of "turf grass, impermeable paving, and high water-use plants" in arid Albuquerque was retrofitted with water sustainability in mind by Rios Clementi Hale Studios (Lead Landscape Architect) and Biohabitats, Inc. (Civil, Water Reclamation, Plumbing consultants) among others (see the Sustainable Sites profile for the complete project team). 

Image: Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse during construction, courtesy of Biohabitats, Inc.

The landscape in question is the 4.4 acre Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse. A lot of concrete was removed - "over 21,000 square feet of existing concrete" - and a 16,000 gallon underground cistern was installed. The combination of the rainfall-capture cistern and the replacement of turf with native plants has led to a 86% plus reduction in the site's water use.

Other green stormwater infrastructure features, installed by Biohabitats, include vegetated swales, rock gardens, biofiltration beds, an efficient drip irrigation system, and "a flow meter along the sidewalk [to generate] public awareness of the rainwater collection system."

Image: Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse pre-construction, courtesy of Biohabitats, Inc.

Image: Pete V. Domenici U.S. Courthouse post-construction, courtesy of Biohabitats, Inc.

The dramatic planting design is based on the Rio Grande Floodplain Bosque ecology with a "palette comprised of drought adapted plants and 79 percent native plants." Check out the New Mexico Museum of Natural History's Bosque Education Guide.

Our thanks to Jean Wisenbaugh of Biohabitats, Inc. for providing the photographs used in this essay.

Other posts in the Before & After Green series: Seoul's Cheonggyecheon Stream, Schenley Plaza, East River Stormwater Vegetative Control, Halcyon Commons, 9th Avenue USPS Building