Artful Rainwater Design Stormwater Designs that Enhance Aesthetics 10 9 17

Artful Rainwater Design – Stormwater Designs that Enhance Aesthetics
Presented on October 9, 2017

The concept of “Artful Rainwater Design” is a term coined by Dr. Echols and his colleague at Penn State University Professor Eliza Pennypacker. It is based on the premise that stormwater management can be designed such that new site amenities are created. These amenities result in greater user satisfaction and perceived value. Looking at rainwater-focused projects nationwide, Dr. Echols discusses how these designs transformed the treatment of stormwater into attractive landscapes with educational and recreational components. He looks at specific examples of built designs, explains the principles behind the idea, and discusses the barriers and challenges that need to be addressed for Artful Rainwater Design to become a typical approach to stormwater management. He also looks at the work of other designers and offers ideas for future possibilities utilizing their creative, place-making approach to stormwater management.

Dr. Stuart Echols, is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Penn State University. His interests focus on integrating two aspects of stormwater design: utility and amenity. Through his research, Dr. Echols has developed a method of stormwater design that integrates the landscape and stormwater and that seeks to restore and preserve natural hydrology. He received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in environmental design and planning. He coauthored the book Artful Rainwater Design: Creative Ways to Manage Stormwater.

This presentation is part of the Webinar Series "A Focus on Sustainability" prepared for landscape professionals and the public. The series is being presented through collaboration of the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA), the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC), & EcoLandscape California (ELC). Known regionally for their quality education programs, these organizations are working cooperatively to share knowledge and encourage conversations with landscape professionals from around the country and the globe.

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There is a need for more frequent, diffuse, decentralized rainwater harvesting.
Good rainwater design avoids 'there' space, it creates 'here' space. There is less wasted materials/land because suddenly there is a lot more incorporated harvesting. You are ridding yourself of the need to divert water long distances to isolated spaces. When you design for 'amenity' you are also designing for multiple use, and added function, more value. Some benefits overlooked include more interaction through increased walkability/bikeability, traffic calming.
That is important.