Citygreen Specifier Update 16

SPECIFIER
UPDATE
ISSUE 16
Contents CASE STUDIES
2 Amazon.com
4 Rossland
6 Ekka Plaza
8 105th Street Edmonton
10 Lansdowne Park
14 Marrickville

Electronic commerce and cloud computing company,
Amazon.com, has leveraged Citygreen’s cutting-edge
StrataCell system in its new multi-million office head-
quarters in South Lake Union, Seattle. Purpose-built to accommo-
date 20,000 employees, the new headquarters consists of multiple
buildings surrounded by mingling areas and plazas.
One plaza, located between two buildings on 6th Avenue, has
been constructed above a parking structure, and is home to sever-
al feature trees (Cercidiphyllum japonicum and Magnolia laevifolia)
requiring large planting areas.
Engineering plans allowed enough soil volume beneath the plaza to
house the trees, but a significant challenge emerged – how to pro-
vide sufficient structural support to cope with the weight of heavy
vehicles such as a boom lift, to be used for maintenance. Soil cells
were identified as an ideal solution, however many products were
rejected because they lacked the structural strength required.
Citygreen’s 60-series StrataCell system fulfilled the strength re-
quirements, and Citygreen worked directly with the consulting
landscape architect – Site Workshop of Seattle – to design the
structural elements of the plaza. This consists of 500 StrataCells,
supported by a concrete slab, a drain-mat, and another slab
above. Citygreen provided plan views of the installation to calcu-
late the quantity of cells required, and to show how the slab would
be supported. Construction was completed by Pacific Earthworks.
Site Workshop, along with the project architect, are very happy
with the solution, making particular note of how quickly the cells
went together and how easy it was to thread the drip irrigation
through the structure. Time will tell how the rigidity of the plaza
structure performs, but all signs point towards to successful out-
come, with beautiful trees for Amazon employees to enjoy.
Project supplied by Citygreen West.
E: matthew.biggs@citygreen.com • Ph: 780.462.5064
Amazon.com leverages
cutting-edge StrataCell solution
in new Seattle headquarters
2 ISSUE 16

CASESTUDY
Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 3
CASESTUDY

Many Canadians would know and love the town of
Rossland, BC. Nestled in the wooded mountains
of the West Kootenay region, Rossland has been
a charming ski resort and quiet mountain getaway for many
generations of Canadian families.
With a population of less than 3500 that fluctuates significantly
according to the season, Rossland depends on tourist traffic to
maintain its reputation as a mecca for enthusiasts of the outdoors.
In 2011, the town engaged ISL Engineering to come up with a
revised main street design, looking for a smart, well-planned
central thoroughfare that would look beautiful for decades to come.
ISL’s design was installed during summer 2012, and employed
Citygreen Stratacells beneath the sidewalks and under some of the
angle parking areas. Stratacells were selected for their unrivalled
compressive and lateral strength; other soil cells having been ruled
out due to structural concerns.
Allen Tower, Vice President of Sierra Landscaping, Ltd. and
Director of the Rossland project, said, “The StrataCell was
incorporated beneath the hardscaping for the length of the
project, installed 1000 mm deep, 1500 mm wide, and included
StrataCell, geo textile, subgrade base gravels, and topsoil. Water
harvesting for irrigation and electrical was also included within
the StrataCell matrix.”
The installation of the StrataCell took about five weeks, which
included subgrade, base installation, topsoil delivery and
placement, and geogrid installation. Jeff Schurek, CSLA,
Landscape Manager / Senior Landscape Architect of ISL
Engineering and Land Services Ltd said, “CityGreen was
there throughout the various stages of the process in terms
of technical review. They were out onsite solving real issues
to work with the contractor to come up with better solutions
in the best way possible.”
The design for this project also required a drip-line irrigation
system that was installed throughout the many linked tree pit
systems. But due to the tree pits being enclosed, the ArborVent
system was installed, which helps to provide oxygen as a permanent
Establishing Green
Canopy in Rossland BC
4 ISSUE 16

irrigation/aeration solution and to prevent soil stagnation. The tree
root systems, being set in the StrataCells, allow for the tree roots to
grow in the adequate and sufficient root volume which is necessary
for healthy growth. This project also used the StrataCell system to
provide for a storm water tree trench down the length of the street
which bridged areas where there were existing utility lines.
Schurek said, “Within 1.5 weeks, the StrataCell systems were
installed on one side of the street (approximately four blocks). That
was extremely fast. The contractor was so pleased at the rate. He
had worked without this product in the past, but the process took
much longer. Another selling point of using the StrataCell system is
that the price is reasonable. We were sold on using this product on
the basis that it provides trees the room to grow. This is the most
important thing for developing a healthy streetscape – healthy trees
for the future.”
Now, 3 years post-installation, the streetscape has been
transformed and is truly beautiful. Jim Markin, the Arborist on site
reports that, “Tree uptake has been 100% successful, the trees
maturing quickly and establishing well.” Allen Tower says he has
been, “Impressed with the results, especially compared to
a nearby installation where structural soils were employed,
with very poor uptake and significant early failure rate in the
young trees.”
Rossland considers the cost of this streetscape a worthy
investment, and now it’s easy to see why. Downtown Rossland will
have a manageable and sustainable urban forest forming a living
heart through its downtown core for generations to come.
CASESTUDY
Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 5
CASESTUDY

The visually-striking ‘Ekka’ Plaza was the first key public
space to be delivered as part the Brisbane Showground’s
rejuvenation. The new plaza delivers a much-needed
and contemporary open space for the local community, and acts
as the front door to the new Royal International Convention Centre
(RICC). Officially opened during the 2013 Ekka (Royal Queensland)
Show, The Plaza’s flexible design supports a variety of exhibitions
and events.
Matthew Nolan, Associate Director at Lat27, worked closely on the
conception and design of The Plaza. He says, “The redevelopment
of the Brisbane Showgrounds was a key urban renewal opportunity
for Brisbane, creating a new mixed use urban centre just north-east
of the CBD. Lat27 was commissioned to prepare the landscape
master plan for the public realm, supporting a submission to the
Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA). The project presented
the opportunity to reveal the historic narrative of a site traditionally
only accessible during show times and to integrate it into its
surrounding context.
“This new space was created through the removal of several
small buildings, revealing the heritage RICC façade and providing
a robust new open public plaza supporting the existing heritage
spaces of Gregory’s Rest and Stockman’s Rest. The hierarchy of
the new space references the historic structure and functionality of
the Showgrounds; with large flexible spaces for events and smaller
densely shaded spaces for respite within a highly connected
network.
“The inclusion of significant trees was critical to the success of the
new plaza for shade and balancing the scale of the space. However,
the project brief to provide multi-purpose, high-loading hardstand
for event modes, circulation routes, and changing levels across the
site meant we were unable to have broad expanses of open deep
planting. High rock shelves and multiple service infrastructures
added further restrictions on below surface designs.
“During the design phase, development assessments between
traditional structural soil trenches and tree pits with Stratacell were
carried out in regards to achieving the required soil volumes versus
the costs of excavating the surrounding rock, providing the 40t
pavement capacities, and construction programing. At this point,
we consulted Citygreen to review options for soil pits and tree
grate integration. Stratacell was the clear choice for its horticultural
benefits and economic efficiencies.
“The final design consisted of Stratacell Series 30 cells in 3x3m
(wide) x 2m (deep) tree pits excavated into varying densities of
rock. Into the tree pits, we planted nine advanced (6 – 8 metre)
StrataCell brings Lat27’s
striking landscape design
to life at Ekka Plaza
6 ISSUE 16

Elaeocarpus Grandis, which make a striking visual statement.
Irrigation was imperative to the trees’ success, so the bases of the
tree pits were interconnected with subsurface drainage lines back
to the stormwater system.
“Two years down the track, the use of the Stratacells has achieved
notable good health and vigour for the trees, while surrounding
pavements have remained completely stable through multiple
events including two Ekka Shows.
“Citygreen were fantastic to work with, and continually
provided horticultural and engineering advice throughout
the design development process, which was much
appreciated. During construction, Citygreen provided on-
site supervision for installation and structural certification
on completion. The support provided by Citygreen
throughout the whole project greatly assisted us to achieve
the overall goal of significant trees within the physical and
functional constraints of the project. The end result speaks
for itself.”
CASESTUDY
Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 7
CASESTUDY

In September 2016, the second largest city in Alberta, Canada will celebrate
the completion of a progressive stormwater management project in its city of
Edmonton. Prior to its completion, a project update offers some compelling
and exciting information on the project’s progress.
Taking place just northwest of the downtown core on
105th Street, Canada’s “festival city” has partnered
with ISL Engineering, Carmack’s, a large civil contrac-
tor, and Citygreen West, an international leader in sustainable land-
scape systems. The project’s stakeholders focus on the revitaliza-
tion of existing streets, sidewalks, and curbs that are, “well past
their lifetime,” reported Matthew Biggs of Citygreen West.
Edmonton’s city limits holds seven sectors, with the mature down-
town sector at its core. Surrounding it are six suburban neighbor-
hoods. The majority of the buildings and infrastructure built prior
to the 1970’s, and the new generation is taking steps to revitalize
their city infrastructure and take an active role in the management
of stormwater.
“Primary goals of the city are to remodel the streetscape as part of
a plan to upgrade the area...The present street is an aging ware-
City of Edmonton
Strengthens Its Core
8 ISSUE 16

house and industrial zone, which is being upgraded to a modern,
sustainable multi-family dwellings,” said Biggs.
Upgrades are meant to allow for a flourishing urban forest, in con-
junction with a responsibly planned stormwater management sys-
tem that proves successful, “by directing street stormwater into
large soil filled tree pits and draining it through collection pipes at
the base of the tree growing areas,” said Biggs. The ultimate so-
lution for Edmonton’s design challenges is Citygreen’s innovative
Stratavault soil cell system.
The open matrix design boasts unique advantages that presented
solutions to challenges and considerations like project cost, trans-
port, installation, as well as the need for green infrastructure and
stormwater quality objectives. The cell’s components are able to
nest inside one another and are constructed of lightweight poly-
mers, allowing for significantly lower costs in freight. Once the
product is at the installation site, their simple construction doesn’t
require unique tools or specialized labor, thus also allowing for a
smaller task force.
The Stratavault’s open design allows for the unhindered installation
of all necessary subterranean construction, such as water pipes.
Even so, with its “quick and simple to assemble” matrix design, the
cell system continues to provide the surrounding sidewalks, “with
sufficient structural integrity to withstand traffic loads,” Biggs noted.
The open voids allow for tree roots to establish and grow as natu-
rally as possible in the oxygen-rich soil, a thing of the future com-
pared to conventional single slab planters. These conventional
builds have soil that is too compacted for natural root growth,
or for rainfall to be properly absorbed and redirected, resulting
in unhealthy or dying trees, eroding landscaping, and ultimately,
unnecessary expense in the city’s green infrastructure plans and
initiatives.
With 105th Street’s central location inside the city, the active efforts
to reduce the damaging effects of unmanaged stormwater levels
require large pipe sweeps to be safely integrated into the Strat-
avault installations. In short, Citygreen’s cell systems are offering
the city of Edmonton solutions to all the project’s concerns and
goals with a single product.
An innovative process “approved by the Stratavault manufacturer”
was proposed featuring 200mm, eight-inch water pipes, which
were able to be safely integrated and routed through the cells, “with
minimal interruption to the structure.” Because the Stratavaults are
interlocking, void of bolts or other connectors, individual single leg
sections of the matrix system can be removed for the pipe sweeps,
leaving the top layer in place. The sidewalk structure is then rein-
forced with a bridging section layered on top of these particular
areas. This engineering modification would not have been as likely
with another form of green technology.
Since the project’s onset in May 2015, the first tree pits have been
installed, and were backfilled with soil quickly and efficiently by
Carmack’s subcontractor, 7M Landscaping.
In a final statement on the partnership with Edmonton’s city staff,
Biggs reported that the installations are already showing positive re-
sults. “This retains the key feature of the Stratavault cell structure –
it’s strength as a connected matrix….” just like the interconnecting
streets and communities within the city of Edmonton itself.
CASESTUDY
Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 9
CASESTUDY

Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park has gone through
extensive redevelopment with three major
components that makes the venue a significant
national and international attraction.
The revitalisation was planned early 2009 as part of a series
of initiatives approved by the Ottawa Council. In June 2010,
the council voted to continue the Lansdowne Partnership
Plan (LPP), “an innovative and dynamic solution to redevelop
Lansdowne Park” through a partnership of the city with the
Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG).
Lansdowne Park is a world-class attraction that “blends
modern amenities, courtyards, heritage buildings and green
space”. The urban public destination, well situated in the
heart of Ottawa, features events and activities for all ages
and all seasons.
The new Lansdowne revitalisation is a “model of modern-
day innovation in an urban form where people can go to
walk, cycle, shop, enjoy a good meal, be entertained, work,
like and play” in an environment respectful of the city’s
architectural heritage.
The plan included the renovation of the TD Place stadium,
mixed-use area with shops, residences and offices, and the
18-acre urban park.
The main aim of the refurbished stadium is to “seamlessly
integrate the facility into the new urban setting by using varied
and natural features”. The TD Place Stadium features 24,000
seats and newly refurbished 10,000 seat indoor arena. It will
host sports events, concerts and performances by headline
acts. The first major park event in the renovated stadium was
held in July this year.
The urban park redevelopment enabled Lansdowne Park to
be “re-integrated with the Rideau Canal Corridor as the site
once was connected historically”. The majority of the asphalt
was removed and replaced with a “front lawn”, stretching
Binding the old with the
new in Lansdowne Park
By Kristyn M. Levis
10 ISSUE 16

across the eastern portion of the overall site along the
Queen Elizabeth Driveway and the Rideau Canal. The urban
park feature also incorporated the two heritage structures
– the Horticulture Building and the Aberdeen Pavilion, as
centrepieces for the park.
The proposed mixed-use area aims to create a “unique urban
village that includes a mix of commercial and residential
buildings, open spaces and corridors, which will serve a
variety of purposes”.
“This component of the redevelopment plan provides a unique
pedestrian environment focused on a retailing area that will
complement and support activities at Lansdowne and be
integrated with existing commercial uses along Bank Street,”
the website said.
The mixed-use area also includes residential uses that
integrate with the surrounding community and provide an 18-
hour cycle of activity for the overall site.
Continued on next page
CASESTUDY
Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 11
CASESTUDY

Jeffrey Staates, partner at PFS Studio and project landscape
architect for Lansdowne Park, has been involved with the
project since 2010 and led the team for the international design
competition. They were awarded the project in June 2010 and
design started in July 2010.
Staates said they were tasked with the redevelopment of the
urban park. They refurbished the heritage building Horticulture
Pavilion next to Aberdeen Square where the Citygreen®
modular Stratacell®
system was installed.
The system was included in the recommendation to pursue the
largest soil volume possible from the standpoint of longevity.
The major installation of soil cells was in the centre of Aberdeen
Square, named after the heritage structure in the site.
“It was a proposed alternate during the tender process.
A good deal of the public realm is over slab. We do have
some hesitation using the Citygreen product because of its
configuration,” Staates said.
“There were concerns about the longevity of trees particularly
rooting. It’s a new product so we don’t have 30 years of field
trials. But we felt in this case we only have about 30 years
before we see all this stuff replaced anyway that we decided
that wasn’t a concern. Given the soil volumes we wanted
to achieve and the time frame, it seemed like a reasonable
product to accept as an alternative,” Staates said.
The Aberdeen Pavilion is a city landmark with a capacity for
2,800 visitors. The Aberdeen Square north of the pavilion is
home to Ottawa’s Farmer’s Market. The park features more
than 800 trees, including an orchard of heirloom apple trees.
The Horticulture building has also been revitalised for special
events and community use.
Lansdowne Park Continued
12 ISSUE 16

Staates said he isn’t aware of any issues with the product
during installation and after the project was finished. The
only complications with the project were more in terms of
jurisdiction. The team was obliged to consult with several
organisations with lengthy approvals of plans and a number of
jurisdictional reviews that had to be satisfied. But in the end, all
bodies approved the use of the Stratacell system.
As for the integration of water harvesting, the design allowed for
the collection of water from the roof of the horticulture building
and recycling water from the water play area in the urban park
and using that for irrigation at night.
The city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS)
department is already scheduling a program of activities and
events to suit the unique spaces in the Aberdeen Pavilion and
the Horticulture Building.
Project supplied by GreenBlue Urban. www.greenblue.com. Ph: 1.866.282.2743
Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 13Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 13
CASESTUDYCASESTUDY

The City of Marrickville has taken a bold step forward in ensuring the har-
monious union of urban infrastructure and urban trees in an initiative called
Connecting Marrickville. Citygreen played an important role in making sure
the project is delivered. This is a great example of what can be achieved in
urban development with the right thinking.
Trees usually come second to footpaths, roads, kerbs
and gutters – but Marrickville Council is determined to
turn this thinking around.
So when a footpath was being upgraded in Cavendish Street Stan-
more, Council’s ‘whole of street’ approach presented an oppor-
tunity to remove and replace three very large Ficus hillii with an
in-road tree planting of three super-advanced Waterhousea flori-
bunda (Weeping Lilly Pilly).
This new approach by Council means that damage from tree roots
to nearby properties and structures will be prevented. It’s all part of
a new initiative called Connecting Marrickville.
Connecting Marrickville puts people and the places they live in at the
centre of all infrastructure planning. It aims to make streetscapes
better now and into the future. How? By integrating all elements
that make up a liveable sustainable community.
Gwilym Griffiths, Council’s Coordinator Tree Management, was
part of the multi-disciplinary team who worked on the design,
construction and communication. He said the objectives were to
demonstrate a new way of managing the conflicts between trees
and infrastructure; plan for large trees in tight urban spaces so that
there is significantly less need for pruning and patching of dam-
aged infrastructure, and to integrate tree works and footpath re-
placements in one project.
The project site construction started early May 2014 and finished
in June 2014.
“There is more and more pressure on street trees,” he said.
“In many towns and cities, development means that people and
trees are brought into increasingly closer contact. Space for large
trees to establish to full maturity is limited. It’s all exacerbated by
poor or disturbed soil conditions in built up areas, and conflicts
with underground and aboveground services,” Griffiths said.
“And there’s this idea that large trees cause damage or can be
dangerous. They might drop branches, or block sunlight, or dam-
age infrastructure,” he added.
Connecting Marrickville will manage these issues by planning for
the needs of the trees (providing them with the soil and space for
long term growth) instead of just planting trees in the spaces ‘left
over’ after development.
In a council video about the project, residents commented on the
bumpy footpaths, saying while they wanted more greenery, they
didn’t want tree roots ripping up the path.
Bold Green Vision in
Marrickville, Sydney
By Kristyn M. Levis
14 ISSUE 16

CASESTUDY
The three large trees roots were also growing into people houses,
with one even growing into someone’s bath.
Council removed those trees, fixed the footpath, and planted the
new trees in-road using the Citygreen® Stratacell system®.
“We chose this system because it provided the best soil
volume per dollar when compared with other structural
soil systems such as aggregate soil and pier and beam
vaulted systems,” Griffiths said.
“Adequate soil volumes are crucial for sustainable tree growth. Pro-
viding soil volumes upfront for trees provide better trees and less
impact on infrastructure,” he said.
The system, Griffiths said, is very easy to install and doesn’t require
specialist skills. They had very minor difficulties fitting cells around
numerous services, and during the initial design phase, in getting
the specification correct.
For example, in one of the pits, Griffiths said a sewer pipe required
relocation before the project could continue.
“We also received a lot of rain during construction, which required
pumping out and modification of the gutter to reduce the amount
of water flowing into the pits,” he said.
Ryan Hawken, Council’s urban water engineer, said although the
upfront cost was higher than previous projects, there are long term
benefits such as much less damage to footpaths and houses.
Council will monitor costs over time in order to continuously im-
prove performance and management of streets and trees. Since
the project was completed, Griffiths said the biggest issue has
been to maintain adequate water to the trees.
“Initial water budget estimates were quite low and since comple-
tion have been increased to accommodate actual site require-
ments,” he said.
The project included planting of biodiverse species of grass and
ground cover and stormwater management by adding permeable
paving over the tree pit to capture surface water. “And the Strata-
cell fits well with this,” Griffiths said.
“Today, the trees look good and are stable. We would definitely use
a similar system again,” he said.
The project is being used as a case study for Council’s Connect-
ing Marrickville initiative. This project delivers on a range of Council
strategies and provides Council with a great example of what can
be achieved with the right thinking.
Citygreen®
SPECIFIER UPDATE 15

TM
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and Stratavault®
has worldwide patents registered and pending. © Copyright 2016 Citygreen Systems Ltd. All rights reserved.
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