il 3 y I *TittlePark® = TAL a : Strong programming—both fixed attractions and special a Cravsito ouston’s Discovery Green, an unusualTe-alo has another type of programming,” Almase every day, some sort of free event is offered here. Many days, there are wo (r three. Some are big events like movies, firmers' markers, and ‘ar shows, and some are smaller such as writing workshops for kids, cai chi classes, and Zumba, Las fall, the park even curated an inflaable arc exhibit. In this and other ways, Discovery Green breaks from ehe ei ddtional urban park, Built and operated with predominantly pri- vate funding bu open and fre tothe public, ies hy= brid beeween park, sculpeure garden, and fairground with a litele bie of community center ehrown in. Is closest analogue is Millennium Park in downtown Chicago, but while Milleaniam feels more like a seulprure garden meane to draw tourists, Discovery Green is very activity based and draws mainly local families. Discovery Green’s emphasis on activation and pro gramming (both design pro gramming) can be craced back to community work- shops run by dhe Peoject for Public Spaces (PPS). This ‘New York-based organization has been critical of landscape archicects who allow design ideas rather an social function co define cheir work. Hargreaves Associates is among the high-profile firms thae PPS has criticized, bue at Discovery Green, the ewo enti- cies worked together (even if trough intermediaries) Hargeeaves’s San Francisco office cook a series of pro- gram clements developed by PPS, refined ie, and cre~ ated a design that connects these elements together in an unusually acral wa: But how does the space work, ‘and how does everyone feel aboue the final product? ming and event pro: Creating the Program For years, Houston's George R. Brown Convention (Center had a bad reputation. “Caming to aconvencion here, ic fel like you wereon the moon,” says Guy Hag- sete, president of the Discovery Green Conservancy. ‘The facilcy was cut off from downrawn by a wasteland of parking lots. A small linear green space had been created on private lind to male the convention center fel more connected, bur the green space was mote like ‘a mowed field than a park and goc very lice use ‘When theowners ofthe green space, who had al planned wo develop i one day, put the land up forsale in ‘mid-2004, Houston Mayor Bill White’ oflice moved quickly co peeserve it, Bu local leaders’ vision went be- yond preserving the existing field. They imagined a park more chan ewice as lange—incorporating 6w0 city owned parking lors an part ofan existing strcet. ‘To encourage greater public support, Whice pushed for an unusually fase timetable—first de- ‘manding the park be complered in ewo yearsand then. settling on a more practical chree-year schedule for planning, design, and construction. To speed the process along, the city worked with local business jonprofit called the Discovery Green Conservancy. The conservancy wold be re- sponsible or raising funds, overseeing the park's design and con- struction, and chen manag make sure che land would remain in che public crus, ehe ciey deeded the land to a new public corporation called the Houston Downtown Park Corporation. Hagstette an architect and urban designer with experience developing parks, was chosen co lead the conservancy. While the city conttibured land and paid for che leaders andl foundations co crea 1: the park for 50 years. However, 0 | ssparking garage beneath che park, all the money necessary tocon- struct che park iself was privately donaced. From the beginning, che ciry was concerned abour how rivate che space. Aside from a few convention xoers ooking toes sno built-in con- ‘ape after a long day of presentations, there scieuency for a park here Early on, che conservancy looked co New York’s Bryant Park asa model. Through a major redesign, che addition of food ven~ ddors,and programming of che space (vith events like afternoon piano concerts), chat once-derelice space was transformed inco & c gathering place. Buc Discovery Green doesn't have the same concentration of office workers neat= by, and che conservancy knew it would take much mare ro make this space work So it broughe in PPS, which was involved with Bryant Park in the early 1980s. Fred Kene, the founder of PPS, has, soughe to develop a new sort of profession- al, separate from the designer, who works ‘with the public to program open spaces and makes sure the designer sticks with the pro- gram (sce "Separating Program from De- sign,” page 89), Working in this capacieyat Discovery Green, PPS m shops on site and in the adjacent conven tion center. "We do this thing called the place game,” says Kent. “You go our there and have people evaluate how fa landscape] worksasa place” Norasadesixn,bucirom aseres of work sa] From the beginning, the city was concerned about how to aetiv: ate the space. ‘socal poinc of view.” Participancssay what they likeabouraspace swhar sorts of things they imagine doing. chere and then everybody reports back to che larger group rodiscuss whar they came up with Using thar public feedback, Ps ereaes a skerch thar lays out ideas forthe sie’s program, The group promotes an idea called The Power of Ten,” meaning chat every place needs atleast 10 things todo. Though PPSS definition of a" place” typically extends beyond a project's boundaries —it may involve a series of spaces and even the ice cream parlor across the steet—Discovery Green's context would do litte to energize the park, So PPSS diagram here ‘was particularly progeam heavy PS also gives its clients advice about managing a space co facilitate use. “I think people believe that design alone is going to solve the problem, but it’s nev- er chat easy,” says Kathy Madden, vice president of PPS, “We say ar least 70 t0 80 percent of its success will be che way ies managed—whether there's a kiosk, whos running the kiosk, and what they chagge at events.” During the planning stages, there was concern ‘hat Discovery Green's slated location, fof, vould deter use. However, through fxd attrac- tions, special events and the sheer beauty of the place, tis unusual par, opposite, hes done something once thought impossble—it i at tracting fnilles to Moustor’s downtown, abore.Avion americas Hatt [I The Grove Restaurant/Banquet hal aananen STREET Ny Main stage 1B) Shutleboard 0} Medel boat basin 1 Putting green PrTerrace 1) Riley Family Fountain 0) Reading room El Listening Vessels Ri Lake House Café F)Maconda's Grove ‘1 Veranda {6} Bocce ball court ‘Park administration building Stage Gateway Fountain 1 Event lawn Vi Prenie own 1) Garage stairs Synchronicity of Color Wn Mist Tree 10 Mound with donor walls X Playzround Garage entry/elevator ‘Yi Small and large dog runs 1M) Angled lawn AVENIDE BE LAS AMERICAS “There are so many {people who] don't wane any commercial activiey fin public spaces), and chac really discourages the use of space,” says Kent, Ar Discovery Green, arestauranc and banquet faciliy, an informal café, and a weekly farmers’ marker noc only help to energize the park, but also provide a source of rental in- come that helps to fund maintenance and fre events beyond what the city itself could provide “Everyone knew raising operational fanels would be a chal- lenge,” says Hagstete, Ie's much les sexy to donace roward the maintenance of a garden then to plane one. Early on, che city agreed to spend $750,000 per year on maintenance, an amoune it decermined co be typical fora “trees and geass” park of chat size, Buc that accounes for less than a chird of te conservancysan- nual budget. The other funds are raised through donations, the rental fees paid by the company that runs the two restaurants, and fees for private events thac are held there. “Thase peivate events range in size from kik’ bireelay partes 0 aTyle Lovete concert, which drew more chan 7,000 people. Any _roup lager than 20 planning to use the park is required to pure chase a permic in advance. “We spent an unusually lange amount (on electrical fhookups] here, which allows them to stage events in diferent places,” says landscape architect Jacob Petersen, princi« pal ar Hargreaves. One pace in particular—an 11,000esquare-foor event lawn—was designe toaccommodatea large tent adjacent co the Grove, the restaurant and banguet facility, which often caters roconvention goers Holding private event in a park often rises coneraversy. Con= sider Discovery Green’ inspiration, Bryant Park. While is ex- tremely succesful as a social space, FPS has named Bryant Park to its Hall of Shame because for nearly a month our ofthe years most of the park is covered in tents and closed to the public for New York’ Fashion Week. watsen racer‘The number of program elements Bur nocall private uses are equal. There are many factors chat contribute to the way people perceive such uses—the event's ex- clusivity, its duration, and how much of the park ic cakes up all contribute «haw an event is perceived. Bven chough isa litle ‘oberusive in Kent's opinion, he sys chat “ifthe fashion show fin Bryant Park] was open to che public, ic would be okay. ‘With these distinctions in mind, the conservancy isparticular- ly sensitive to how i renes out spaces, “We never allow a single event to take over the entire space,” says Hagstecte, Ac least pare of the park is always open ro the public. They raeely rent out Jones Lawn, the largest lawn area, for private events thar lase longer than 2 day, and the fountain and playground are never available for renal Contextual Design ‘Once PPS finished its work, the conservancy began inrerviewing, landscape archieeceure firms. Each of the firms was given a copy Of PPSS use dig um before the interview and alse of activites the as interested in incorporating ino the site. Hag- the essence of PPS’ planning, bur he was open to argument on the specifics. The di- ‘gram, afterall, was nota design, ob me : as areal challenge for the landscape architects. : RRS ERS. "The challenge from [the conservancy] was to make ita bear ul, green respite—a place that reflects Houston's garden her- says Mary Maryaree Jones, FASLA, of Hargreaves Associ- cs Jones won over che beard wich her local roots. "I think ic really helped that I grew up there,” she say. know what it like—what the climate is like and wha the cul- ture is like Hargreaves Associates’ experience designing parks on packing. garages also drew the conservancy’s attention, At Discovery Green, Hargreaves Associates has beauifully integrated che un- derground parking seructure with che park (ce “Integrating Park with Parking,” page 93). The space where cars enter che garage is covered wih a slanted roof, which aceually functions as the ‘main seating area for a scage “The estof the design isonganined around rwo major cross axes — both former strers. "There wns thisallé of live cals tha was already existing and cha really dove alc of the design,” says George Har- sereaves, FASLA. The Brown Promenade, which runs under the ak gardenesque, wich lush plantings and benches where he lawn. To complece theallée, which had some gaps, few large oaks were transplanted from other sites downtown where they were slated for removalThe Andrea and Bill Whiee Promenade, located over an existing iy easement, s wider, more beightly lie, and more heavily activated, This is where the farmers markers are eld, Since chere were na tes existing ther, the landscape archireces chose plane isting, Mex- ican sycamores, which would be able eo provide asi nifiane amoune of shade within 10 yeas. There was some concern thac allowing people to puc up their own tents for markets and events would divide up the park. "Those white cents people use can really create a buries” says Petersen, So the landscape archi tects designed a canopy of removable, custom shade seeuctures with spaces between them chac allow people to flow between the picnic lawn and che main lava, Within chese spaces, there are also benches where peo- ple can sc along the promenae—even when the space isin use by che market or other evens The landscape archives pai close atcention tothe wind pattems on the sie. Given Houston’ hor, muggy sum- mer, they alized ie would beimporene to plane eesin 2. vay that channels the summer becczs as much s pose siblerache than setting upwind blocks. The eee build ingson site, which house che caé che park alice, the wead- ing room, anl che banquet facile, are alo sted ro channel beceres. Designed by Tarr Speck of PageSourheriand- Pageto fe within de park's frmeswor, che buildings are contemporary glass, wood, and sel seructures, yer they incorporae verandes that reall che tradicional souchera porch, complete with movable searing where Visitors can Sivin the shade and look our over the ln, Local culture also informed ochee parts ofthe desig Jones chase to plane sales, whic ar found in many his toric Teas gardens, along the ek allée. Wood piers in Kinder Lake reference the pies in nearby Galveston, and Texas granite isused prominently throughout che design. “The landscape architects used local and sustainably § soured maces wheneret pole Dsorety Greet, mene Sons sind ssn tn earth parma, fF which was given the name “green” partial for cho aca anfuta,opea veel wort a ae’ wat | Souls sustainable connotations. While not locally fon an inflatable at ns, bel Aiod! tbs, are, des _grown, mose of the wood used on the terraces adjacent eo 25 an ee rak during the winter | the buildings is sustainably harvested ipe, and solar panels, donated by iP, provide the energy necessary 10 power he park office. The entire projece recently achieved LEED Gold certificaion, 5 Working with the Program § Thenumberof progeam elements was areal challenge for the landscape architects. “We had to sift through whae ‘worked and whae didn’t work,” says Hargreaves. "You have to figure out how you can has Elements overlay in the landscape: ‘Some ideas were dropped aut. The conservancy de cided ie couldn’tafford co construct a coffeehouse, Oth- cers were modified to fit within the greater design scheme. A suggestion co create azip line chrough the space was replaced with a bar that allows kids 0 glide © rw, three, oF four |s7along the boctom of che children’s pla round. A su way Fountain, a spray pad « m became thi children can play in, And the idea fora eree house in che oak al- lee was dining space on cop of dhe banquee facility, overlook So that che park would al cxgy, many of the most popular activi hanged for the beautiful, bur noe publicly acces fel thac it was bu are located in the ares. Kids can run between the model boat basin, the Gateway Fountain, che playground, and the Mist Tie sculpeute while terrace with food from the café or picnic on the picnic lawn, Most ofthese spaces are also within view ofthe fone isa part of the action. Hargreaves Associate used the pond to create a dramatic backdrop for the seage. Flowever, the stage is open on all four sides, so viewing is nor limited to the slanted The design is organized around two major cross axes, ‘oth former streets. The Brawn Promenade took ad ‘vantage ofan existing oak allée to create a ault place to-sit or ato, above, The Andres and Bill White Prom nade, rh has more active areas plugged into lawn, Ieaceualy fe shelter when there are no con. ‘On the otherside of the pal he Wortham Foundation Gardens ape. The foun g rather chan interactive, A number of venues that gen- ‘acct fewer than 10 people, like shuffleboard courts and a provide a quieter place oF in here i designed t0 be soochi cal 8 green, are integrated into these gardensSeparating Program from Design $0 rmeAan ISG ET EPAMTEMICPLNES cred at by separate professionals? Are there certain benefits or disadvantages tothe approucht Feo Mor, PET FoR PUBL PACS “You need tf sls to ale roel wrk nthe Reining you ee lon and you ated 9 ro trom Yu ert ant du, oad new th nse betta con- fami doe The program needs tote Indeenict ota desioer case you ers eee rere ec ee ethos ee tet obo th log [es eps verter we WC oun in conmanly Hn eves te pram boats hy di Ther’ ths hay tenln betes te prosumer and the see that can produce realy ett reels, ke a check and balance" Man Warane Jot, HanreavesASOCHTS “depends onthe d- igi Worcs SAR paces er eos Cary = Uo son. Maybe sen don't, bt wed. The bast deren ar asl te estat rv et fw yu ber abut he prota wntyoutear sort eed utes sd tea ats teins aie ares acento ete ncgrssaRaefete i We Usage TAS Te bring Gnd sen th fab “Progamming wt eke aca shud never be seen esoethng that ert om dee. In the best Instances Ws prt of the ds proce Tae hve ben canner doer beh tf ha hyo tree the oan thre ae le filed ls par bt that tthe my we werk” speci, then they set about designing a building around The flaw in that is you often end up with a bilding you can't afford. find it ery ficult to work that way. “We actually put design as part ofthat process. Ifyou puta parking lt beneath a park, that's $30 milion; it creates these problems and these opportunities. At the ‘sare time we're trying to understand the regional landscape, tying to understand circulation lows, the microctinae, We're nt only talking ‘bout program opportunities and how much they would cost, but how they would impact what we're trying t bil ‘Bos Eury,CenTRAL HOUSTON INc/BoARD OF DISCOVERY GREEN CONSERVANCY: “fee prety strony about having an independent program advocate. ‘The tension crested bythe two partes, the separate programmer from the esigner—I thnk that tension i extraordinarily helpful There ae alot of ‘Siguicant pieces of Discovery Green that area direct product of the pub- lic engagerert. But sure don't want Fred Ment] designing it ther.” ‘Gur WecSTETTE, DISCOVERY GREEN CONSERVANCY: feel fortunate that we had the talents of both Pes and Hargreaves. They both brought a lot of ‘dens to the table. I would not go so far as to say the programmer should always be separate. The public input process prepares the client tobe a better client. You can do this wth the design team or a separate pro- rams, but you need to do this.” ‘acoe PETERSEN, HARGREAVES ASSOCIATES “It appears that [programming] willbe something landscape architects have fe ight for to retain tin the profession." Maconda’s Grove, within the Wortham Gardens, provides 4 particularly interesting example of how multiple uses can be ‘overlaid. Instead of adding a driveway for tracks to access the evene lawn, the landscape architects created a small, peomet- ric grove of loblolly pines planted in a special seructural soil blend created by a local company with a rop dressing of de- composed granite mulch, Within this area, alongside ehe cruck route, chere are granite-ouelined boece courts with con- rece seat walls meant to catch stray balls. How's It Working? ‘There is not a lor of love lose between Hargreaves Associates and PPS. Both pacties emphasized chey had never spoken with ‘each other during heir involvement wich che park. PPS te viewed the plans through Hargreaves Associates’ conceptual design, but Hagsterce acted asthe middleman, So what does Kent, who has visited the sie since its com- pletion, have co say about the finished product? His opinion ‘The Mist Too is one of two “functional” sculptures ereated by artist ous Holl forthe space. Sometimes I drip water i @ band along, ‘the outside. Other times, it sprays a cloud of mist. {is mixed but fhitly positive, “That whole central area is spec- acu,” he says, Discovery Green is definitely well used. Hundreds of people filled es spaces on a Thursday afternoon at lunchtime, and.as the {day wore on, even more people came. Despite the fict chat ie was weekday, mast of the people were noc office workers, but farn= ilies. “To sce families like this in downtown Hauston...you just didnt sce it before this park opened,” says Hagsceree. Many came forche wholeday and broughe their cecheses."You can pall up right undemeath ehe pak," noted Karl Andersen, who drove 30 miles co come toa movie nigh pacon by the local public radio station, “So i you have picnic supplies or lawn chais, you don't need co worry about finding a space and dragging the scuff out.” Of course Kent has some criticism as well. "Hargreaves has this branding tat keeps getting perpetuated hese mounds,Custom Playground Celebrates Flyway TT icra ect a est tin tr ‘pees Astle cane wth he concept celebrating « ia era Tu ups oe Wasted wes ord Pay te Arctectre ro Messechusts to ete he desc na tol ad Sote crete Th plperomed s hese ya ras berm, wish wat ete the ate. proves ampitheste seating fr parent tl nd atch heii” sy coh Petersen Wored inthe il sn pe tla concrete sent al, roving acter senting oto. Ti con x le usd eek ers 8 en CE that as alt de on Aes” af ln elas pois an tert oko and hs» Ho bance The plyeoue ln ba soe ednetoa clement decor ed with cutouts of bird species that fly over Houston, and squigely ae an Ts plore“ yer ce Along then, ts te exact ntion ars wing makes when te,” says ere. el many Ks hd Cont on to tly, et hs ial gt bitof fick ost oft th ona ert fond ee Genera the payer bes tt a scree wt eer aioe acre eee A ted whe craving under on of the play fener ace» pod hes teen aftaced wit ect tape. te Discovery Green a ele, the plaeonnd cou ao ba Ile beer Ae ogee notes, eee eee eee inthis ate prt of downtown. se] hesays cars go underneath ie—ehat should e= ally be more active. That kind of takes “upall ehae pace. Which mises an interesting ques tion abou park design: Shoulal a per- formance space that does get heavily accivated for events be active all che time? Lawdeape Arbinatare vsived the site over che course of three days, and two major evening events happened during chae time, a concert and a showing of de silent film Metropol Boch times the angled lawn was ‘packed—too full, relly, co hold any more people. But people on the lawn during the day or ac night when there was no event go- ing on. Should there be? Looking at Discovery Green's schedule, chere tends co be some sort of major event a lea Hargreaves says the gras is engineered for two major evens pet month, Would the grass survive iit was used much mote? ‘The mound des make i difficult o circulate around the park swithour ending up on the sidewalk char cuns along che park's ‘edge. For better or worse, i's not really much ofa srolling park That angled lawn arca where fone night per week ‘There aren't many good loops. But che experiences it does offer seem ro make up for chat. Kent also thinks there needs co be a better connection to the horel, and he is no particularly impressed with some ofthe plant- ings. [PPS] gees criticized all the time because people say {we're} just incerested in accivities,” says Kent, “bue whar we're saying is ‘male i rich. Thar doesn mean you can’t haven quier place with flowers, small hummingbirds a fountain where you can be reflec tive, but a quiet place with just a bench and a lawn doesn’t do much, Olmsted would make a path fascinating and incerescing, bucso much of desiga today isjustastraighe line and bosques of its just nothing. Thaes nota tich place for people In Discovery Green’s frst year, there have been a few adjustments, says Hagstette. “None of us anici- pated che numberof kids that are in the park.” A pupper theater ehar had been incorporated into one of the buildings had eo be translormed into changing room forall the litele kids playing in che fountain, ‘Also although certain Fearuesoff- Cally mee code, parens viewed them asasafery risk. Aftera number ofwor- ied mothers complained to the con- ‘The cstom plyground has a “erow’s nest” erated using ylon webbing, top, ‘Smaller children can use a sant eg with 2 ito sde on to pla King of the il, loservancy, it added hands co ehe piers. And in che model boat ‘Theamoune of logistical and storage space has also been achal lenge. "When you're activating the park, you are constantly need busin, addled nec around che ouside that makes it more ofa chal lenge for kids crying to swim out co che lake or crash chei boars ico the wall (which had becon ing stuff to coordinate chat activ says Hagscece. A cance floor, ‘which is pur on cop ofthe stage for ballee performances, must be dragged up ftom a vaule in de packing garage be- ‘cause thete is 90 soom on the surface, ‘The conser ‘ancy also has a larger full-time staff chan originally expected, creating crowding issucs in its building, The biggest surprise for Hagstette is thae the park ac en when there aren't classes or events going on. “We thought [classes and events} would be necessary all the time,” says Hageterte. “In the evening and during. the week when schoo!’ in session, we need [ela sand events]. But ehe experience of the place, T think ehe beauty ofthe place, isa draw icslf.” Regular events do help people to find our abou the park, bur so many of Discovery Green's ‘The Wortham Gardens, above, ae a more pasive garden space adjacent tothe Grove, a restaurant and bonquet faclty within the park. A bosque of oboly pines known ‘as Maconda's Grove allows trucks to access the event lawn and provides a place to play boce, 1Hargreaves Associates seamlessly incorporated the entrance to the underground ing garage to create a slanted lawn area overlooking the mainstage, here, Fred Ment is critical ofthis feature because it gets litle use when there is no event ‘ing on. But the slanted lawn becomes the center of activity atleast once a week ‘when there sa concert ora movie the pak, befow. Hargreaves Associates worked with artist Margo Sanyer to make the parking garage access stairways ito Rubik's Cube-ke sculptures, oppsit. 92. program elements ae fixed—the founcains, the playground, the ‘afé, the picnic areas, and the reading room. As Petersen notes, if you put water play, a playground, food, and bathrooms to- _gether, is hare c© g0 wrong. Bue you cane just design them ‘withour thinking abour how they will be managed. A park's success is che result of how design, program, and management work together ‘Would Discovery Green be better iit were bigger? Almost everybody has an opinion on that. “fa park has this much pro- would like he park co be bigger,” says Petersen, “Ie ‘gramming would be nice fie were 20 percent big lawn, che play area, and the pond would all benefic from havi more space. “The patk is already crowded with no one living nearby,” he says. “You can just imagine whar ies going to be like fwith more resents in che areal.” The parks has been spawn ing, new construction along: its edges. Since it was completed, ‘wo large towers have been built adjacent tothe space. +." He thinks the greaIntegrating Park with Parking fp oF te wosr vrenesrine ASPECTS ofthe park's de- ‘hat es beneath part ofthe ste. “When you have an aF- cites or engineer 25 prime [design consultant he o shel might have the garage generate the pak’ form,” ays Ja- ‘ob Petersen, a landscape architect with Marrreaves ASso- lates “Here we let the park's form generate the garage.” For example the slanted ref over the automobile en- ‘trance is drawn out to become the viewing area fr the main stage. Rather than covering the entire rot in tree {eet of sol increasing the loading on the structure, the ‘structural beams are located ontop ofthe roo, ereating ‘deep linear pockets of sll where tree roots can grow. (The surface itself is fat) Hargreaves Associates worked wih artist Mango Sawyer ‘to make th garage staieways into functional sculptures ‘Outdoor movie attendee Andersen is also worried. “This park is becoming more populated,” he says. “When you have an event like this [movie], I'm hoping ie will still be big enough for peo ple like us to havea space Bur grandmother Lynn leans the ocher way. “T'm not sure ie neces 1 be bigger,” she says. “I chink if ic were too big, you'd lose some ofthat energy There's this energy to chs park that is just brilliant,” ageees Keith J. R, Hollingswoeth, an artist who comes here often, “The fact thae anyone can come ut here and hang ue..in the center (ofall chis wealeh—the skyscrapers, he Hilton... This lieele park ‘gives you the idea that Houston is becoming a real meteopoli- PROJECT CREDITS Primeslandscape architect: Hargreaves Associates, San Francisco (George Hargreaves, FASLA, senior principal; Mary Margaree {Wile Synchrony of Color. Their colorful panels make Wem resemble FRubil's Cubes. The same sculptures also disguise utility vaults and ven lation shafts using pe screens. Even the locaton ofthe garage itself was infenced bythe park above. The landscape architects were careful to make sure that Hs boundaries didnot enter the drip tne ofthe mature ank alee that ‘makes up the Brown Promenade. Because the wall wo lose tothe drip line, atypical excavation with sloping ses would not tbe posible, £0 vertical shoring was used to old the soll in pace while ‘the garage was bul. Several hundred 18-inc-dlameter holes were bored int the ground adjacent to the planned wall filled with steel cages and concrete, and allowed to set before the hole was dug. ystems within the garage supply water for Kinder Lake, construct a below grade garage in Houston requires permanent de- watering system pumping something Tike 50 gallons per minute In per- veto ron Jones, FASLA, senior principal; Jacob Petersen, principal in ‘charge; Lara Rose; Bernward Engelke). Architecture and mechani- cal engineering: PageSoutherlandPage, Houston and Austin, “Texas. Eaty public input and ste activity plan: Project for Public Spaces, New York, Lacal landscape architect: Lauren Griffith As- sciates, Houston. Water feature constant: Dan Euser Waterarchi- Toronto. Play consultant: Play Site Architecture, Ac ton, Massachusetts. Parking garage structural engineer: Walter P. ‘Moore, Houston. Park strictural engineer: Henderson + Rogers Inc., Houston. Seulptures Listening Vers and Mise Tr: Douglas Hollis, San Francisco. Seulpure Syrchranicity of Color: Mango Sawyer, Elgin, Texas. Operations and management consultant: ETM Associates, Highland Park, New Jersey Restaurant consulting: A La Carte Food Service Consulting Group, Houston. Geotechnical engineers: Ulrich Engineers, Houston, Construction phase owner's, representative: Gilbane Inc., Houston.