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Also see the 900 North Michigan Avenue parking garage greenroof at Rush and Walton Streets in downtown Chicago designed by Hoerr Schaudt. More information about Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, LLC is available at www.hoerrschaudt.com. Download the Hoerr Schaudt case study and “Luxury Green Roof Designed by Hoerr Schaudt Receives National Award” Project Press Release of 4.08.08 here. See the 2008 awards profile from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities here. Learn more about 900 N. Michigan Avenue from Wikipedia.

Ten floors above Michigan Avenue, condominium residents retreat to nearly 14,000 square feet of luxurious green, flowering landscape with spacious areas to entertain, grill out or simply unwind while absorbing dramatic views of Chicago?s exquisite skyline. Its environmental benefits blend with design qualities expected of a high-end amenity and changes what urban dwellers can expect from their city views. Height variety in plant material presents an unfolding experience from within the garden and creates shadow and depth throughout the seasons when viewed from above.Winner of the 2008 Green Roof Award of Excellence in the Intensive Residential category from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, the rooftop garden features planting and structural patterns inspired by views of the Midwest?s agricultural landscape. Residents sit on a pergola-shaded deck amid the hush of waving grasses and bobbing allium, surrounded by towering skyscrapers.This startling juxtaposition is a key intent of the design – it reminds residents of their location in a bustling city while treating their senses to a bit of nature they assumed was unavailable in urban life.

Challenged by structural limitations that restricted the use of more traditional high-end design solutions on the roof, the design team developed an inventive use of a standard green roof tray system to establish the sense of depth, height and texture that makes the project unique. More than 20,000 plants comprise a variety that creates an unfolding, multidimensional experience from the within the garden. The roof can retain 75% of a one inch rainfall before there is storm water runoff into the sewer system.Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects, LLC is a Chicago-based firm with a national reputation for distinctive green roof design. Firm principal Douglas Hoerr, FASLA, designed the first green roof along Michigan Avenue for the Apple Store and is currently Chair of Mayor Richard Daley?s Green Roof Committee, which establishes criteria and guidelines for the current green roof matrix.

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