. - 1. -. I, .. n1. - I..- .: .did.Il'I??Efg; . I 3. previous spread Visitors to the Houston Botanic Garden stroll through the Woodland Garden and catch glimpses of songbirds in their native habitat. © Houston Botanic Garden Houston Botanic Garden Jeff Ross, President and CEO Nancy O’Connor Abendshein, Chairman Nancy S. Thomas, Chairman Emerita Lead Design: WEST 8 Date: October 15, 2015 1 PREFACE page 5 2 BACKGROUND AND PROCESs page 13 3 Design Vision page 23 4 Next Steps page 73 5 community engagement page 77 6 acknowledgements and credits page 91 AC CITY OF Annise D. Parker Office of the Mayor Mayor PO. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562 Telephone Dial 311 December 15, 2015 Ms. Nancy O?Connor Abendshein, Chairman Houston Botanic Garden 3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 992 Houston, Texas 77098 Reference: Houston Botanic Garden Lease and Operating Contract Performance Dear Ms. Abendshein, The City of Houston is pleased with the progress of the Houston Botanic Garden (HBG) in its preparation of a Master Plan for the Glenbrook site and the success of the Houston Botanic Garden in its fundraisng effort in 2015. This letter confirms that HBG has met its fundraising goal for 2015 surpassing the contract requirement of $5,000,000 in Firm Commitments by Year End 2015 and has exercised its option to lease the Glenbrook site. Your letter of December 1, 2015 desoribing your fundraisng success was most welcome and encouraging. Your attainment of this fundraising goal provides for the vesting of the Lease and Operating Agreement under the terms of the contract Article 2. We have also had the opportunity to review the Master Plan submitted in late October 2015 and ?nd that your engagement with the community has resulted in a context sensitive design for the Houston Botanic Garden. By this letter, the City of Houston af?rms that this Master Plan is the ?Approved Design? of the Houston Botanic Garden in accordance with Section 4.1.1 of the Lease and Operating Contract. The City looks forward to the day when HBG has raised suf?cient funds to take occupancy of the site and begins construction. The City and its residents will bene?t from the educational bene?ts of the Houston Botanic Garden and its creation of a place for re?ection and enjoyment for visitors from near and far. The City recognizes that the establishment of a Botanic Garden in Houston has been a long journey which is still not complete. We are encouraged by the community engagement that you have already had and your willingness to continue this engagement through the various stages of design and construction and then in the operational phase of the Botanic Garden. We appreciate the efforts of all who have pursued this goal and wish them great success as they move further through the process. Annise D. Parker Mayor ROBERT GALLEGOS HOUSTON COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICTI Ms. Nancy O?Connor Abendshein Chairman, Houston Botanic Garden 3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 992 Houston, TX 77098 Dear Ms. Abendshein, I am pleased to send this letter of support for the creation of the Houston Botanic Garden at the Glenbroolc site. Your organization has demonstrated great fortitude in the acquisition of a long- term lease for this site and has met the initial fundraising milestone to allow this project to move forward. The District 1 community, which I represent on City Council, is excited about the prospect of the Botanic Garden in the southeast portion of the district. The Botanic Garden will provide District 1 with another prominent public Space, joining Discovery Green in the western end of the district as an excellent attraction for visitors to enjoy. We have been pleased with the public meetings that your master plan team conducted near the site and the many smaller meetings that were also held to gather information for the development of the Master Plan. I have been impressed by the large amount of input your team sought and garnered from residents all over the city. The plan as presented and approved by the City, will certainly expand the use of this green space to many mOre Houstonians and visitors. We look forward to continue working with Houston Botanic Garden as it enters the more detailed design phases. We are very excited about having this educational institution with its beautiful spaces within District I. Respectfully, Robert Gallegos Houston Cotmcil Member District I TELEPHONE (832) 393-3011 I 900 Bacav, 1*"1 FLOOR HOUSTON, TX 77002 districtiolhoustontxgoV P.O. Box 27510, Houston,- TX 7722.? 713.715.9675 HOUSTON '16 GARDEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy O?Connor Abendshein Chairman Melbem G. Glasscock Vice Chairman Randall E. Meyer Treasurer Peggy Bailey Secretary Nancy S. Thomas Chairman Emerita Drucie Chase Steve Lindley Richard W. McDugald Peter R. McSnavick, Jr. James A. Reeder, Jr. Robert A. Rowland Sharyn Aydarn Weaver Emily Tattle Wilde ADVISORY COUNCIL Sadie Gwin Blackburn Pauline Bolton Peter G. Doyle Bolivar Fraga Susan Garwood Hester T. Hawkins Kathy Huber Rebeoca l-lutcheson Ann W. Jones Margarette L. Jones Wendy Kelsey John Kirksey Christopher L. Knapp Ann Lents Odette McMurrey Mace Brenda Beast Smith Cassie B. S?nson M. S. Stride Judy S. Tate Kingslea von Helms Janice Van Dyke Walden Bass C. Wallace, Jr. Peter M. Way William Welsh, Ed Wulfe Jeff E. Ross President CEO October 28, 2015 Mayor Annise Parker City of Houston 901 Bagby Street Houston, Texas 77 002 Reference: Houston Botanic Garden Master Plan Dear Mayor Parker, Houston Botanic Garden hereby submits its Master Plan for the Glenbrook site to the City for its review and approval. The Master Plan is a conceptual layout of the Botanic Gardens with many details still to be evaluated and addressed as we move through the multiple design stages to commence construction. We are very excited with the work of the West 8 team which includes multiple local ?rms. They met and interacted with many interested people in the City through community meetings, workshops, in person discussions, telephone interviews, emails, and post cards. The comments have been categorized and will be considered as we move into the more detailed design stages. This Master Plan will provide the framework for the development of a premier botanic garden for Houstonians to enjoy for generations to come which is the mission of Houston Botanic Garden. From the Olmsteadian entry drive to the gardens planned along the old oxbow of Sims Bayou, we will be able to emphasize Houston?s botanic riches with valuable learning and research opportunities. The Master Plan also provides for formal and informal event spaces that will be enjoyed by many visitors. West 8 has developed an exciting Master Plan for the Houston Botanic Garden. We look forward to moving into the next stages of design based on the approval of this Master Plan (?Approved Design?) and appreciate the efforts of the City and the many people that we met with in preparation of this Master Plan to help make the Houston Botanic Garden a reality. Houston Botanic Garden intends to continue its engagement with interest groups and community residents through the design, construction, and operational phases of the Houston Botanic Garden. eff E. Ross President CEO houstonbotanicgarden.org Po. Box 27510, Houston, 713.715.9675- HOUSTON BTANIC GARDEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy O?Connor Abendshein Chairman Melbem G. Glasscock Vice Chairman Randall E. Meyer Treasurer Peggy Bailey Secretary Nancy S. Thomas Chairman Emerita Dmcie Chase Steve Lindley Richard W. McDugaId Peter R. lr. James A. Reeder, Jr. Robert A. Rowland l'll Sharyn Aydam Weaver Emily Tattle Wilde ADVISORY COUNCIL Sadie Gwin Blackburn Pauline Bolton F'eter G. Doyle Bolivar Fraga Susan Garwood Hester T. Hawkins Kathy Huber Rebecca Hutcheson Ann W. Jones Margarette L. Jones Wendy Kelsey John Kirksey Christopher L. Knapp Ann Lents Odette McMuney Mace Brenda Beast Smith Cassie B. Stinson M. S. Stude Judy S. Tate Kingslea von Helms Janice Van Dyke Walden Bass C. Wallace, Jr. Peter M. Way William Welch, PILD. Ed Wolfe Je? E. Ross President CEO October 28, 2015 Mayor Annise Parker City of Houston 901 Bagby Street Houston, Texas 77002 Reference: Houston Botanic Garden Master Plan Dear Mayor Parker, It is with great pleasure that the Board of the Houston Botanic Garden submits this Master Plan to the City of Houston for the conceptualization of the Botanic Garden on the Glenbrook golf course site. Shortly after we received City Council approval of the lease for this site, we selected West 8, an award winning urban design ?rm, to prepare the Master Plan. We were greatly impressed with the work they had done with Governor?s Island, a signi?cant public-private partnership for the development of a public park on an abandoned military base in New York harbor; the master planning of Longwood Gardens, the former DuPont estate near Philadelphia which is one of America?s premier public gardens; and their efforts in Toronto and Miami Beach creating notable public spaces for better use by the communities at large. We felt con?dent that West 8 could replicate this experience for Houston Botanic Garden, and we are proud of the work they have done on this project, particularly in such a short time frame. Houston Botanic Garden and its consultants had the opportunity to meet with many people to discuss the components of this Master Plan, including two community meetings held in Park Place Elementary School across the street from where the main entrance to the Houston Botanic Garden is proposed. We will continue to meet with the City, interest groups, and the local community as we move through the design phases to construction. Further, we will continue the dialogue when the Houston Botanic Garden is open for visitors to address concerns of the local community and our neighbors. We trust that the City will readily see the beauty and wonder of this Master Plan. Our Board and supporters are committed to bringing this plan to fruition. Very truly yours, Nancy O?Connor Abendshein Chairman of the Board houstonbotanicgarden.org Why a botanic garden in Houston? Why now? More than 30 years ago, treasured Houstonians Nancy Thomas, Kay Crooker, and Anita Stude shared a vision for a magnificent botanic garden in Houston. They hoped this botanic garden would be a place rich in educational opportunities, a place for reflection and observation, and be a beloved destination for Houstonians and visitors alike. Today, the Houston Botanic Garden prepares to make that vision a reality. This Master Plan articulates the potential of the future Houston Botanic Garden over the next 20 to 30 years. Houston was born on the bayou. It is fitting that the Houston Botanic Garden, too, be born on the bayou. The 120 acres on which the Houston Botanic Garden will grow is bordered and bifurcated by Sims Bayou, a fertile location which affords the Garden design team a unique opportunity to integrate Houston’s waterways and complement the natural landscape of the site. The site’s bayou frontages and mature trees will offer limitless opportunity for meaningful exploration. The Houston Botanic Garden blossoms at a time that our city is enthusiastically embracing transformational green space projects. Houstonians are rallying around the belief that green space enhances quality of life, and the Board of Directors is dedicated to delivering a compelling botanic destination to our city at this point in time and for the future. In addition to the beauty and educational opportunities the Garden will provide, the Greater Houston Partnership estimates (assuming a Phase One construction cost of $40 million) the Garden will have a one-time economic impact on the region of $93.4 million, and that once open, operations and tourism will contribute between $19.6 million and $24.4 million to Houston’s economy annually, depending on attendance. The following aspirational and inspirational plan has been developed and refined with input from the public and several groups committed to building one of the country’s premier botanic gardens. Designed by renowned landscape design firm West 8, the following Master Plan has been informed by input from a peer review committee comprised of a select group of leaders from established gardens in the United States. This group, along with the organization’s steering committee, board, and leadership, will be instrumental in helping the Houston Botanic Garden further shape plans for fulfilling its founding vision. This Master Plan is the first step in realizing the potential of Houston Botanic Garden. We hope you are inspired to join us in our mission to create a botanic garden for Houston. BACKS AN QOC QOUN ESS Mission We plan to establish and sustain a premier botanic garden to promote public appreciation and understanding of plants, gardens, and conservation of the natural world through education and scientific inquiry. PURPOSE We will enrich people’s lives through outstanding displays and programs, serve as a model for sustainability, and inspire all who visit to become environmental stewards as they learn more about plants and the entire natural world. In the fourth largest city in the country, our gardens will be places of great beauty providing an oasis for quiet contemplation, learning, inspiration, and research. opposite School children learn about planting trees. A Place for Science, Community, and Culture Botanic gardens are traditionally renowned as scientific centers, as places where people of all ages can study and learn about plants and the environment. Through research and educational programs, botanic gardens engage us with the natural world and help people to understand and appreciate the many important functions that plants play in our lives. Today, botanic gardens have also become more than hubs of scientific knowledge. In urban settings, gardens give neighbors and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of nature without leaving the city, and they offer communities a place for gathering, recreation, and celebration. Gardens are shared spaces, and the best public gardens are great contributions to the community. They are places for leisure and spaces for people of all ages, ethnicities, and origins to come together. Whether experienced individually or collectively, a great garden has the ability to bring serenity, happiness, and a “heart” to a community. The Site The Houston Botanic Garden site is located just eight miles from Downtown Houston and is easily accessible off Interstate 45. The existing site offers a wealth of natural features that provide an exciting base for the Garden. Sims Bayou and the original Bayou Meander at the northern perimeter of the site create the potential for a spectacular island destination. The existing tree canopy provides cool shade and habitat for birds and other wildlife. The gently rolling topography offers a varied terrain for walking, creates microclimates, and frames interior views. Right SAN JACINTO RIVER WHITE OAK BAYOU HALLS BAYOU I-10 BUFFALO BAYOU I-610 UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON US-59 RICE UNIVERSITY 225 225 I-4 5 10 MILES HOBBY AIRPORT SIMS BAYOU 5 MILES HBG I-610 1 MILE BRAYS BAYOU SHIPPING CHANNEL HUNTING BAYOU DOWNTOWN 8 BUFFALO BAYOU 288 Aerial view of Houston Botanic Garden site, looking towards Downtown Houston. I-610 I-4 5 8 8 288 below 8 The Houston Botanic Garden site: situated between Downtown Houston and Hobby Airport. S H PARK PLACE MEADOWcreek Village GLENBROOK VALLEY ABOVE The site is surrounded by the diverse neighborhoods of Park Place, Meadowbrook, Meadowcreek Village, and Glenbrook Valley. MEADOWBROOK Brimming with potential: the natural features of the site will be embraced and amplified by the Houston Botanic Garden design. top to bottom Sims Bayou; topography; Bayou Meander; tree canopy Background and Process 19 What is a Master Plan? The Master Plan is a conceptual vision for the Houston Botanic Garden. It is a set of principles, drawings, text, and renderings that depict the fundamental concepts for the design of the Garden. It shows the key features of the spaces, their character, and their organization on the site. The plan illustrates the kinds of activities that can take place in the Garden; the places, elements, and features of the Garden; their relative size, and their general look and feel. The Master Plan is a road map, not a construction document, and is intended to be revised and refined as the project moves forward. opposite, top Graphic depiction of community input from the first public meeting. opposite, MIDDLE Neighbors shared their insights with the design team at public meetings. opposite, bottom Community members sent pre-stamped postcards to the design team with ideas and hopes for the Garden. Community engagement The Houston Botanic Garden Master Plan has been created with extensive input from the public. Throughout the planning process, the West 8 design team invited input in multiple forms. The design team held interactive public meetings to listen to the hopes and concerns of local residents, and to solicit feedback on the design at critical moments in the planning process. Attendees were invited to communicate on an ongoing basis through pre-stamped postcards to which the design team responded publicly by posting answers on the Houston Botanic Garden website. Team members met face-to-face with individuals to listen to and learn from their ideas. The team also initiated the formation of a Community Sounding Board, made up of local leaders, to facilitate ongoing dialogue. Together, these efforts have brought hundreds of voices and ideas into the design process. This dialogue will be ongoing. Background and Process 21 who r. DESIGN VISION .y g?ny'eh .. . 13:1? . mars :1 I I The Master Plan The Houston Botanic Garden Master Plan is the result of many months of design studies, but also deep on-site investigation, dialogue with the community and Steering Committee, and a peer review by directors of five leading botanic gardens. The Master Plan reflects the top desires of the community: walking trails, experience of the bayou, shady walkways, access to nature, and places to host community events. Moreover, the Master Plan has the flexibility to evolve as conversations with the community continue in the next stages of design. Visitors arrive from Park Place Boulevard, the only nonresidential street with access to the Garden. Here the Master Plan envisions transforming an existing four-lane commercial road to a tree-lined shady street. Visitors then proceed down a relaxing driveway, called the Botanic Mile, toward the parking areas. The Botanic Mile crosses Sims Bayou with an iconic bridge that is a new landmark for the Botanic Garden and the city. The Plan takes its inspiration and structure from the best qualities of the existing site, and with forethought to the site’s biggest environmental challenges: flooding and intense weather events. First and foremost, Sims Bayou and the Bayou Meander serve as framing devices that create a truly unique experience, one that protects and enhances the experience of the bayou. With these water bodies as a site-organizers, the Garden is divided into two main precincts: the Island and the South Gardens. In today’s condition, much of the Island is susceptible to flooding. The design proposes lifting the existing topography to elevate the gardens and permanent structures out of the flood plain. Further, the design sculpts the topography in the South Gardens to create a series of freshwater ponds which capture stormwater runoff that is used for on-site irrigation. The South Gardens is the place of arrival for all visitors, where guests park their cars and walk through gardens to a small visitor center with a café. Buffers, at a minimum of 50 feet, provide a “green” backdrop to the neighborhood. Also located in the South Gardens is an open lawn which is a relaxing, day-today place for picnics and strolling, but also supports community events such as movies and small concerts, private functions, and food festivals. A hike/bike trail extends along Glenview Drive, with a proposed section along Sims Bayou that would connect the Garden to the extensive network of greater Houston hike- and-bike trails. At the western edge of the site is the Garden’s operations and education area. Here, visitors can learn about composting, soil production, operations and maintenance, and plant nurseries. The Island is dominated by gardens, both naturalistic and cultivated. These gardens provide year-round beauty, delight the senses, and educate young and old alike. A conservatory building extends the plant repertoire to provide a setting for exotic plants from tropical climates. Visitor-oriented amenities like educational facilities, an events pavilion for weddings and community receptions, a café, and a lecture hall, are strategically located to provide destinations and provisions for guests. Administrative offices and research facilities are also located on the Island, so that the horticultural, research, and administrative staff are immersed in the gardens and in the visitor experience. All of these are linked by an extensive network of pathways, many of which offer shade and are weather-protected by colonnades. By weaving together shady pathways, a mosaic of everchanging gardens, the bayou and other water bodies, the Master Plan amplifies the potential of the site’s qualities and unites the site into a coherent, “only-in-Houston,” garden experience. Design Vision 25 ISLAND - . . - . r1 I . opposite The Botanic Mile is highlighted in this illustrative diagram. left The Botanic Mile offers a spectacular and welcoming arrival experience. The Botanic Mile The Botanic Mile is a scenic driveway that leads from the Garden entrance off Park Place Boulevard to the visitors’ parking lots in the South Gardens. It recalls the experience of other great scenic drives like the celebrated approach to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The Botanic Mile is a tree-lined drive that showcases the amazing diversity of colorful and ornate trees that grow in Houston’s climate. It also features a pedestrian walkway for visitors who want to enjoy its splendor by foot. The wide, winding, three-mile approach road to the Biltmore House, built in the late 1800’s near Asheville, North Carolina, heightens the sense of arrival by slowing the experience. Lush plantings screen views of the estate until the mansion is suddenly and spectacularly revealed. Houston Botanic Garden takes inspiration from this iconic drive. Design Vision 27 As proposed in the Master Plan, the Botanic Mile includes a new iconic bridge that crosses over Sims Bayou. This bridge weaves botany and infrastructure, an iconic focal point visible from the highway and from numerous vantage points within the Garden. Practical considerations, like maintenance and traffic management, need to be considered as the design is developed because the bridge supports plantings, vehicles and pedestrian traffic. The Botanic Bridge is an opportunity to create infrastructure that is more than just utilitarian but is elevated to a “must-see” experience. above Botanic trees enliven the entryway and build anticipation with pops of color from seasonal foliage and flowers. opposite The tree-lined walkways along the Botanic Mile provide a pedestrian-friendly entrance to the Garden. next spread Visible from Interstate 45, the Botanic Bridge is an opportunity for an iconic landmark for the City of Houston. I??mhi-r ?mun; Ii SimS Bayou Botanic Bridge Native Baynu Botanic Mile Tree Cellectien Betenic Mile Drive Bayou Gardens Woodland Gardens Botanic Mite Walk DESIGN VISION 29 - . . X- a ugh}: (in. The Botanic Mile ends in a series of forested parking lots where visitors leave their cars and take short paths through manicured woods that open up onto an arrival plaza. The plaza is defined on one edge by an entrance pavilion with ticketing, restrooms, a flexible community space, and a small café. Here visitors can have a coffee or a snack before purchasing their tickets and entering the collection gardens by crossing a covered pedestrian bridge over the bayou to the Island. There is also space for seasonal markets, plant sales or other small Garden programs. Adjacent to the entrance pavilion are several themed gardens to explore. Above As visitors emerge from the woodland canopy, they are greeted by a spacious and inviting arrival plaza. Design Vision 33 . 'S'mh?r?l' 'r . THE COLLECTION GARDENS Upon arriving to the Island, acres of display, native, and educational gardens await the visitor. The Collection Gardens are the cultivated gardens of the Houston Botanic Garden. Here, the topography of the existing site has been elevated so that the gardens and structures are now out of the 100-year flood plain. Houston is the nexus of several of Texas’ most important ecologies. This is where the piney woods meets the coastal prairie, and the bayou laces through the landscape. These native ecosystems provide an array of beautiful species to showcase. Houston’s unique climate is also suitable for a broader display of plant species and ecosystems from around the globe. The humid subtropical climate stays warm enough to grow many tropical plants, and is seasonal enough for many of the temperate species to thrive as well. By creating microclimates using soil, topography, wind, sun and shade, the Houston Botanic Garden’s Collection Gardens are diverse, spectacular, year-round places for beauty and learning. Houston Botanical Garden’s horticultural director and staff advise the plant selection and narrative of the Collection Gardens. There are numerous possible garden opportunities. Culinary and herb gardens, citrus groves, and orchards are sensory learning tools for edible gardening programs as well as resources for the garden’s cafes. Medicinal gardens connect people to homeopathic and scientific sources of medicine and tie to Houston’s renowned medical community. Water gardens highlight sustainability and showcase a wide variety of aquatic plant species. opposite The Collection Gardens are highlighted in this illustrative diagram. Design Vision 35 Planting zone opportunities The diversity of native ecosystems, as well as the many different species that can thrive in Houston’s climate, ensure that the Houston Botanic Garden is a delight in all seasons. Horticultural possibilities abound in Houston’s humid subtropical climate zone. With very hot and humid summers and mild, temperate winters, Houston is host to an abundance of planting opportunities, which will also attract pollinators, beneficial insects, and birds to the site. The Houston Botanic Garden can feature flora from regions all around the world that share its climatic conditions. This climate zone is not exclusive to Houston or even the Gulf Coast, but can also be found in other regions located at roughly the same latitude as Houston. left Houston lies along the 29th parallel north, a circle of latitude shared by countries across North America, Asia, and Africa. The 29th parallel south is equidistant from the equator and crosses locales in South America, Africa, and Australia. below Clockwise from top left: Protea lepidocarpodendron, native to the Cape of South Africa; Butomus umbellatus, native to the wetlands of the Persian Gulf; Anigozanthos manglesii, native to Western Australia; Puya berteroana, native to El Matorral in Central Chile. Opposite Red carpet of Anemone coronaria flowers in Shokeda Forest, Israel. Design Vision 37 ?5.x 4. .q?guun.u . .. 9. av: Visitors to the Garden enjoy the sights and smells of varying seasonal displays from the comfort of a garden-side cafe. The Conservatory Botanic gardens have a long tradition of featuring conservatories. They are places for research and provide yearround protection for delicate and climate-sensitive horticultural collections. The Houston Botanic Garden Conservatory is the centerpiece of the Collection Gardens. A magnificent glass structure, the Houston Botanic Garden Conservatory takes inspiration from the vein pattern of the Victoria Lily. Inside this enclosure, the Conservatory displays exotic, tropical species native to the Amazon region in South America. Exotic fruits of plants are displayed artfully throughout the year. Water drips from the plants and collects in a large pond upon which float impressive displays of Victoria Lilies. Top to bottom Victoria amazonica; an epiphytic bromeliad flower; buttress roots of Ficus macrophylla; underside of Victoria amazonica. opposite The structure of the Conservatory is inspired by botanic forms. Conservatories originated in Europe with the establishment of trade routes to India, Africa, and Asia during the 17th century. Conservatories permitted the cultivation, exhibition, and study of exotic plant species that could not otherwise survive outside their native climate. Design Vision 41 Furnishings Ornamentation is an important tradition in garden design. Seating, lighting, and other furnishings are critical to the visitor experience of any garden space. An array of well-designed and carefully located furnishings creates a comfortable and inviting experience. Furnishings and details help establish the character and feel of a garden. The Houston Botanic Garden is grounded in the ecosystems of Houston and the plant and animal life that they sustain. The Garden’s custom furnishings draw inspiration from the bayou landscape to further integrate the Garden with the Houston context. both pages Examples of custom furnishings, signage and paving in West 8-designed landscapes. .Inul. . .II. 1? -y ll? .. . Q?l?r11u5nh hm The Need For Shade Houston’s climate is ideal most of the year, but in the summer months, heat and humidity make it uncomfortable to be outside. Houston also receives intense summer storms, with heavy rain creating challenges to being outdoors. Because the Houston Botanic Garden is a year-round destination, the Garden addresses these climatic issues through a multi-pronged approach: 1. Integrate existing shade trees into the Garden plantings where possible 2. Add hundreds of new trees to supplement existing trees and create the next generation of shade canopy 3. Create a network of covered colonnades that provide shade and weather protection for Garden visitors Because trees take time to grow, the colonnades create a permanent infrastructure of shade from day one. At special moments along the walkways or over the patios, the colonnade rises to make space for large ceiling fans that create a breeze, cooling visitors on even the stillest summer day. TOP Trees and colonnades provide shade in the Houston Botanical Garden. BOTTOM Annual temperature and precipitation in Houston, TX. opposite, clockwise from top Examples of garden colonnades: St. Thomas University, Houston; Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Mountain Brook, Alabama; Trie Cafe, The Cloisters, New York; Fairchild Botanical Garden, Coral Gables, Florida. Colonnades are a part of ancient garden tradition. Many Byzantine frescos depict garden areas enclosed and defined by decorative colonnades. These architectural elements are cool and pleasant to walk under, and add to the overall garden expression. Design Vision 45 - ?r "5 {gm 3:533 . - Visitors enjoy the splendor of the Gardens from the shaded comfort of the colonnades. 47 i . . DESIGN VISION right Custom ceiling fans will be integrated into the colonnades, offering visitors a cooling breeze for year-round comfort. Colonnades As visitors venture into the distinct networks of paths and plantings that make up the different gardens, the colonnade serves as a constant frame, orienting the visitor in the larger Garden complex. Each of the gardens is entered, enjoyed, and contemplated from the comfort of the shaded perimeter. Embedded in the colonnade is the building program for the Garden. These small buildings house important amenities such as a reception venue, research laboratories and classrooms, cafes, restrooms, and lecture halls. tHE BAYOU GARDENS Educating the public about the horticultural heritage of Houston’s natural environments is an important part of the Houston Botanic Garden’s mission. Houston is home to a diverse range of landscapes. Each of these native ecosystems is resilient to Houston’s extreme weather and provides important habitat for birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians. The Houston Botanic Garden site is wrapped by bayous. While the conveyance channel of Sims Bayou cuts through the center of the Garden, the Bayou Meander defines its Northern edge. This natural context provides a unique opportunity for the Houston Botanic Garden to showcase, educate, and promote research on native Houston ecosystems. Throughout the Bayou Gardens, topography is sculpted to enhance the sensation of the bayou and provide a pragmatic backbone to the Garden. In the South Gardens, recessed areas become meandering freshwater ponds that collect stormwater to be reused for on-site irrigation. Along the meandering bayou, widened floodplain areas offer resilient landscapes that accept and absorb flooding. opposite The Bayou Gardens are highlighted in this illustrative diagram. Design Vision 51 topographic transformation: Sculpting the bayou Edge Like much of Houston, the Garden is susceptible to flooding. The Master Plan design shapes and sculpts the existing topography to create more gardens at lower elevations to absorb and invite flooding. It also elevates some land above the 100-year flood plain to protect buildings and the Collection Gardens from Houston’s intense floods. This pragmatic approach to topography will make the gardens resilient for generations. The floodable areas contain accessible, maintained gardens that showcase cypress swamps, bog gardens, and marsh and wetland gardens, each displaying trees, shrubs, and the many amazing epiphytes, pitcher plants, and wetland flowers that are reflective of the wet landscapes of Houston. The Bayou Gardens feature places for exploring on kayaks, children’s gardens, education areas, and themed gardens as well. Bayou gardens were a top community request. Interaction with and stewardship of the bayou is a critical part of the Houston Botanic Garden Master Plan. above Transformation of the Houston Botanic Garden’s topography creates floodable gardens that embrace the native bayou ecosystem and provide stormwater quality enhancement. Design Vision 53 above Floodable gardens are a fun and interactive educational opportunity; Aquatic gardens bring water and land together for a tranquil experience. In the South Gardens, a series of meandering freshwater ponds capture stormwater, are used for irrigation, and create wetland gardens, including a learning garden where children explore and experience wetland and forest ecosystems. Hands on, interpretive play structures provide fun ways to discover these environments and learn along the way. On the northeastern portion of the site, a similar stormwater retention strategy is used to create gardens that draw on long traditions of using water, topography, and vegetation to create sculptured garden scenes. On the Island, visitors can explore miles of paths through wetland, bayou, and woodland gardens. Large clearings in the woods showcase the intricate textures of the coastal prairie, one of Houston’s most endangered ecosystems. below Adventurous visitors paddle along the Bayou Meander. VJ a . 0? 1 ,gg?ezgj 3cABOVE Young explorers play and learn in the Children?s Garden. DESIGN VISION 57 Programs, Events, Community right The Events Pavilion is a flexible, indoor and outdoor venue for receptions, weddings, and other events. opposite Cafe de Kas, in Amsterdam, is an example of architecture that reflects a garden-like feel. building program The Houston Botanic Garden incorporates buildings that are destinations within the Garden and hubs of activity for key programmatic elements. Cafes, lecture halls, administrative offices and educational classrooms are just a few of the spaces that the Garden offers to visitors, community members, academic researchers, and Garden staff. Design Vision 59 {Max 1 7 S: I I. MEIER EVENTS Humor" . I i .315. I '79? ab:? POOHEVENTS LAWN OPPOSITE Guests mingle by the reflecting pool at an after- hours cocktail party. event spaces With three main venues, the Houston Botanic Garden can accommodate a wide range of events. Smaller cocktail and community parties can be held at the Reflecting Pool Cafe which is alongside a grand linear reflecting pool framed in vine-covered colonnade arches. Larger receptions for weddings, luncheons, and other celebrations can be held in the Garden Events Pavilion, conveniently located near the Park Place entrance to facilitate drop-off and parking. This pavilion is adjacent to a large covered patio and an open lawn space so that events can be both indoor and outdoor. The Events Lawn, located in the Southern portion of the site, is a flexible space that can host large tented events as well as small concerts, film screenings, and community festivities. Management and design of these venues must consider drop-off and pick-up logistics, conformance to Houston’s noise ordinance, and public access to the Gardens. . . Jams. ?Mn 1. . >w0