HS401, Spring 2013, Polk Hall ‘Heat Mitigation’ Garden ($30,000), NCSU, Raleigh, NC
The ‘Heat Mitigation’ Garden is part of the streetscape at the corner of Polk Hall, named for Leonidas Polk (1837–1892), who was instrumental in establishing Land–Grant colleges under the federal Morrill Act of 1862, and helping to established NC State College in 1889. The 1926 building, which has cow heads adorning each door, was renovated in 1987 and an additional built-in 2009. It houses the Animal Science and Biochemistry departments.
The NCSU Grounds Management and Landscape Construction Services (GMLCS) office worked with my HS401 Horticultural Science studio students to design a landscape at the southwest corner intersection of Stinson Drive and utility access. Everything previously planted in this space failed, because of heat from underground steam pipes. The team came up with an innovative technique that ventilated the underground heat away from the soil through an insulation and pipe system devised by the students. This made it possible to create a green, artful sense of place at this very visible and active corner.
Students began the design process by gathering information about the physical, experiential, and cultural aspects of the site. They researched precedents including vines, green walls, and insulation. The students met with the GMLCS team to present their design ideas and preliminary cost predictions. With GMLCS team feedback and support, a design was developed and insulation materials, boulders, and plants were chosen.
The students and the GMLCS team excavated the site and installed an innovative heat dissipation vent system. Boulders were used to strategically raise the grade to allow for proper planting of soil depths. The design featured an undulating green wall and plantings that convey the artful idea of motion.
Data is being gathered to report on the outcomes of the intervention and preliminary analysis appears to have resulted in a 20-degree difference. To date, the plant materials are thriving, which implies that our innovative ventilation design is continuing to work.
Consequently, the garden received awards from the City of Raleigh and from the North Carolina American Society of Landscape Architects. Two landscape architecture firms have contacted us to request details about our heat dissipation construction detail. Landscape Architecture Magazine has also published an article on this innovative project in the September 2014 issue. We are delighted to share our information and to report that the plants are still thriving.