There are well documented studies that demonstrate the healing properties of nature, as well as ornamental landscaping. Awareness of this concept and the holistic welfare of patients are engrained into the culture of Sharp Healthcare in San Diego, California. Yet, portions of their new hospital wing at Sharp Memorial created views from patient rooms to a barren emergency room rooftop. The hospital’s response was to commission the design and construction of a green roof to create more pleasant views from patients’ rooms. In response to the linear nature of the space and the fact that the roof is not accessible to patients, the design team decided to depict a staff of music, allowing both landscape and music to provide beauty and inspiration. The first few bars of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony “Ode to Joy” were selected for the project which was depicted in the placement of large planters on a music staff. The ode, written in 1785 by German poet Friedrich Schiller, is “celebrating the brotherhood and unity of all mankind”. It was put to music by Ludwig van Beethoven as the final movement of his 9th Symphony in 1824. The music staffs were created utilizing Trex composite lumber for the frames and large planters to depict both treble and bass notes. In keeping with the dry Mediterranean climate of the region, succulent groundcovers on 4” of soil media filled in the music staffs and were combined with the notes which are large planters containing Yuccas and Agaves. Background Palo Verde trees, rosemary, and climbing roses were also added to the planting palette. All plantings are irrigated with an efficient drip irrigation system. In addition to enhancing views from patient rooms the green roof provides a number of environmental benefits. These include the benefits of living plant material in oxygen production and carbon storage, as well as reducing roof top temperatures, providing insulation, and capturing rainwater.

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Vicki Estrada, of Estrada Land Planning, graciously made a huge contribution in the design and creation of the Azalea Park Conservation Garden in City Heights. Being inspired by the concept of a water-wise garden that encompassed artwork from recycled/reclaimed materials, Ms. Estrada took it to another level by designing the creative layout, with connective pathways to allow visitors to experience the garden from various grades and angles. The landscape design called for the use of a variety of natural and recycled materials within the walkways, along with staging vignettes of the plants to inspire homeowners to replica the settings into their home gardens. Landscape architect students David Clarke and Kerry McDonald designed the plant plan, supported and guided by Vicki Estrada.

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The Ten Tree Project is a temporary exhibit consisting of a grouping of ten boxed trees and portable seating located within a busy urban setting. The intent of the exhibit is to demonstrate to the general public the transformational power and value that trees provide within an urban setting. The simple and artful statement will provide a respite from the urban world,as well as a place for education and awareness of the value of our green infrastructure. THE SPACE: An intimate, protected courtyard space has been created (approximately 30’ x 30’ in size)by the placement of ten equally spaced large box trees. Movable chairs within the central courtyard empowers each individual with a freedom to personalize the space, find the most comfortable places to sit, and promote social interaction. An educational panel has been placed in the center of the space utilizing a box container equal to that of the chosen tree. EDUCATION: The educational panel provides information about the value of trees within an urban context. Trees provide multiple enhancements to our quality of life including social, environmental, communal and economic benefi ts. They alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harboring wildlife. Thermometers placed inside under one of the trees and outside of the space illustrate the differences in temperatures (often more than 20 degrees F). THE MESSAGE: Inspiring message regarding the value of trees expressed through individual words are stenciled onto the inside of several boxes: “Life, Comfort, Air & Shade.” EXHIBIT LOCATIONS: The Ten Tree Project is a traveling exhibit that started at at the Arts Center entry courtyard at Cuyamaca College in May 2011. It is currently located on the UCSD campus transit stop at Gilman Drive and Meyers Road until September 2011. The final location is planned to be in downtown San Diego for the opening of the ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo at the San Diego Convention Center, October 30th through November 2, 2011. The trees will be donated to worthy projects after the completion of the exhibit. SPONSORS: • American Society of Landscape Architects, San Diego • Horizon Distributors, Inc. • Miramar Wholesale Nurseries, Inc. • Mark Schroeder & Co.

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WATER CONSERVATION:IT’S A BEAUTIFUL THING! In alignment with Catepilar’s Corporate Sustainability Goals, Solar Turbines set an important water conservation example in the region by reduced their landscape water consumption at this Kearny Mesa facility by more than 80%. In a bold move, this water-smart retrofit removed 90,000 sf of turf and created a sustainable garden that has become an award-winning source of corporate pride and employee enjoyment. Even folks from surrounding office buildings come over to stroll through this 'eye-candy' garden during their lunch hour. The beauty of this 'botanical showplace' grows with each new season, often celebrated with massive swatches of exuberant neon colors. Landscape Architect Marian Marum, ASLA, LEEDAP incorporated sustainable site design strategies throughout the project. Old turf was removed, and on-site soil was sculpted to create a network of 'basin and range' landforms, facilitating rainfall collection and fostering improved tree root health. Large drifts of drought tolerant, ‘high drama’ shrubs, succulents, and groundcovers from around the world were specified to increase bird habitat. High-efficiency irrigation components were incorporated (drip emitter tubing and rotator nozzles), and are controlled by actual weather conditions at the site. Mature existing trees were retained and new trees were added to increase site cooling; on-site cobble was harvested, washed, and placed carefully into meandering rain swales. Organic amendments were incorporated into the soil to increase soil biota and oxygen levels, further enhancing water absorption. Decomposed granite pathways were added to increase site percolation rates. Additional amenities included custom vine structures, 'encounter' patios, and an informative educational pamphlet (by popular demand) explaining the diverse plant pallette and sustainable design features.

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Together with Principal Donna Tripi and the La Jolla Elementary School (LJES) staff, the San Diego Unified School District, and parent and community supporters, BLOOM, a privately-funded site improvement committee, is proud to introduce the Marine Street Entryway revitalization project, the renovation of the landscaping on the Marine Street entry side of the elementary school and the repainting of the entire campus. Along with the extraordinary transformation brought about by the campus’s new paint color, the Marine Street Entryway also features new seating benches, large decorative planters and refuse containers, a wealth of new California native, drought tolerant plants and a lawn area replanted with high-traffic turf and properly irrigated. Other recent and equally "orchid-worthy" Bloom projects include the Girard Welcome Plaza, a complete refurbishment of the LJES campus on the Girard Avenue side of the school including the Girard Avenue Courtyard, a beautiful circular seating area, and the Auditorium Promenade; improvements to the sidewalk leading from Marine Street to Girard Avenue along the school’s edge to form the Legacy Walkway; and the Kindergarten Terrace, a wonderful new green lawn play area/outdoor classroom for the kindergarten featuring the Kindergarten Terrace Neighborhood Playhouse and the Kindergarten Terrace Gathering Wall, a seating wall for parents and siblings to gather during pick-up and drop-off. Bloom is a sanctioned committee at LJES, with 12 board members operating in conjunction with the very successful Friends of La Jolla Elementary, Inc., the support of the PTO, and very importantly, in partnership with the San Diego Unified School District. The committee was formed by three LJES moms committed to designing, implementing and maintaining mind-inspiring hardscape and landscape throughout the elementary school’s campus. Further information about Bloom can be found on the committee’s website, www.ljesbloom.com or by calling La Jolla Elementary School, (858) 454-7196.

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