Landscape design at Polytechnic wins Crescordia award

The landscaping around the award-winning academic complex at ASU’s Polytechnic campus was recognized recently, taking the first-place Crescordia Award for Site Development and Landscape in the Public Sector category in Valley Forward’s 30th Anniversary 2010 Environmental Excellence Awards.

The coveted Crescordia – a Greek term that means to grow in harmony – is given as the highest honor in each category. A maximum of two Awards of Merit are also given in each category.

Valley Forward began the Environmental Excellence Awards in 1981 as a way to recognize commitment to promoting livable communities, conserving natural resources and sustaining the unique Arizona desert for future generations. Valley Forward now co-sponsors with Salt River Project to give awards annually in 22 categories.

Ten Eyck Landscaping Architects, Inc. submitted the nomination for the landscaping that not only serves to beautify the campus, but also has practical uses as well.  Streets that used to flood have been turned into water-harvesting arroyos. The arroyos, created with salvaged desert trees, small native bushes and cacti, capture storm run-off, supplementing vegetation watering.

From reused and recycled materials to the use of native desert trees and natural materials, all help to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide shade and courtyard spaces for informal gatherings for students, faculty and staff. All efforts exhibit ASU’s commitment to sustainable design and building techniques.

Last year ASU took three of the 18 Crescordia awards. The Polytechnic academic complex, the ASU Downtown student housing and the ASU Campus Solarization project were all recognized for their environmentally conscious design, construction and energy efforts.

Written by Tana Ingram

Media Contact:
Christine Lambrakis
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