Conduit Connections EPA Rainworks Challenge

Project By Elliott Bartels and Michael Cimino

The University of Arizona campus experiences significant flooding issues with the occurrence of sudden and intense thunderstorms during the summer. Stormwater runoff from impermeable surfaces such as asphalt and concrete results in the ecological degradation of local water courses, property damage, and transportation delays. Therefore, the implementation of green infrastructure is an appropriate and necessary strategy to mitigate these negative impacts.

This project focuses on the Olive Road Underpass at the northern boundary of campus. The underpass can flood with up to several feet of water during storm events. This results in impeded pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as well as the deposition of sediment and debris. The site is covered 96% by impervious surfaces, and the vegetation is too sparse to provide sufficient shade or cooling effects. Given that the underpass acts as a conduit for both hydrologic flow and human movement, a redesign of the site is necessary.

The design solution greatly increases vegetative cover and permeable surface area by using planted terraces that work with the site’s existing topography. These terraces slow water flow and facilitate infiltration through soils and native vegetation. A portion of the parking garage is converted to a vegetative roof with a cistern to harvest stormwater, and an additional cistern harvests stormwater in the underpass. Overall, Total Runoff Volume was reduced by 60%, and Peak Runoff Discharge was reduced by 53%.

Images of the Existing Site, Site Analysis Graphics, and Context.

Sample Images of the Solution, Conduit Connections

The calculations and water harvesting techniques proposed to reduce flooding.

Video submission for the EPA created to highlight the issue and solution found in the proposed site for Conduit Connections. Video animated and created by Elliott Bartels.

 

 

Winner of Local EPA Rainworks Challenge/Liba Memorial Scholarship:

Served as head render designer and calculation statistician for a partner-based project submitted for the EPA campus improvement challenge. Winner of local submission among 15 others, the Conduit Connections campus improvement project aimed to create green infrastructure, flood mitigation, and rainwater harvesting in a highly traversed section of the UofA campus. Submission was chosen by local panel of professionals in LAR/Planning. The Award was made possible by Eric Scharf as part of the first annual Elizabeth “Liba” Wheat Memorial Prize. Thanks to Studio Director Bo Yang for the help and direction.

Photo courtesy of CAPLA: Lauri Macmillan Johnson, Eric Scharf, Michael Cimino MLA ’18 (expected), Elliott Bartels MLA  ’17, and Bo Yang pose with the award certificates.

A sample of the full report is attached below.