Manchester Gardens - Constructed Wetlands & Development

MANCHESTER

GARDENS

MANCHESTER GARDENS

Michael Stelfox

Senior Thesis

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture 2018 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Terry Clements Department Chair Dean Bork Senior Project Coordinator Mintai Kim Senior Project Advisor

This senior project is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Degree in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

I believe that as a landscape architect, I must explore the potential of the landscape to perform instrumentally and artistically on behalf of human prosperity. This may begin with an inquiry of the profound or a desire to enable a performance of the landscape based on research, yet it is integral to invoke the artistic and instrumental aspects of the site in the analysis and design of a landscape overall. I will explore what it means to design for human ecologies by accentuating a site’s given characteristics, promoting a more sustainable integration for humankind in the urban biosphere.

“Responding with Landscape as an Ecological Art for Evidence-Based Design” Michael J. Stelfox Student, ASLA

Nature is the flow of change within which humans exist. Evolution is its history. Ecology is our understanding of its present phase.

Diana Balmori

Rooted in Pride, Growing to Serve.

Don Stelfox

Ut Prosim ~ That I May Serve. Virginia Tech

This project is the culmination of my learning experience at Virginia Tech. The work within had been influenced from my experiences with Patuxent Nursery, Complete Landscaping, Clark Nexsen, and LOCH Collective. These wonderful professors and professionals, have challenged me to think more intentionally about the designs I am blessed to create for people.

To my parents, you have raised me to challenge my own abilities and understandings. Thank you for proving anything is possible for those who trust in the Lord.

To Ash and Joe, you have lived as an example to me from the beginning. Thank you for being the role models who shaped my life. I’m far too lucky to be the youngest and to have you both to look up to.

To Katie, thank you for your unwavering faith in the plan God has for our lives.

THANK YOU

Mintai KimBen Johnson

Thank you for your steady encouragement and for pushing me to achieve the goals I set out for. Your confidence in this project inspired me when I was discouraged, and you made sure this project was resolved on the ground. Thank you for your wisdom and grace.

Ben, I could not have imagined you to help with this project in all the ways you did. Thank you for working closely with me for two very critical weeks. You brought joy and life into this project when it was most necessary. Thank you for your dedication and excitement.

Terry ClementsJordan Crabtree

Thank you Terry for encouraging me to be proud of this project and see its potential. Your willingness to work with me and talk about this project helped me take a step back when necessary and also motivated me to keep working. Thank you for your kindness.

Jordan, thank you for checking in throughout the past year on this project and critiquing this design when you had the chance. I look forward to learning from you over the coming years in Annapolis. Thank you for your advice and motivation.

INTRODUCTION ANALYSISRESEARCH

The Nature of Richmond A Vision for Richmond Design Goals

The River City Pride in Production The Future Riverfront Richmond’s Future Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant U.S. Drinking Water Decentralized Treatment Case Studies

Reconciliation Existing Conditions Decentralized Treatment

MASTERPLAN APENDIXSITE DESIGN

37 39

Manchester Gardens Concept Development

57 63 71

An Embedded Ecology River Hill A Recycled Landscape

77 79 89

Development for Old Town Manchester Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

Bibliography

THE NATURE OF RICHMOND ABSTRACT

Manchester Gardens is a planned development which recycles wastewater within a pedestrian-oriented community. This design is unique to Richmond, centrally locating goods and services while paths weave around parks, plazas and wetlands. Residents are brought together on daily shopping excursions, trips to the grocery store, playgrounds, and other destinations.

The gardens in this community are simply the places where quality open space, the aesthetic expression of Richmond’s culture, and ecosystem services are provided. This design challenges current practices of disposing the wastes from development and water usage in particular and implements on-site recycling strategies instrumentally and artistically throughout the community.

A VISION FOR RICHMOND MANCHESTER GARDENS 2050

Recently, I went back to Richmond, Virginia to visit Old Town Manchester. I decided to take my kayak out of the water at the Slave Trail of Ancarrow’s Landing, just south of this district. Walking past the previous site of the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant, I was excited to see a heron standing in the still waters of the marshland adjacent to Interstate 95. It peered into the shallow waters until spotting a young shad and returning to its nest with a morning meal. There

is an abundance of life in this once overlooked wetland. Today the VCU medical school spearheads a research and treatment effort of pharmaceutical wastes by studying this wetland and other constructed wetlands on top of the remediated Citgo Terminals, which previously stored and distributed natural gas. This site was cleaned after the company moved further south of Richmond in the 2030’s, and is now home to a

Wetlands Provide Aesthetic Value

Valuable Open Space + Destination Points Community Wastewater is Treated On Site

world class medical research facility. I can see the basins of the deconstructed natural gas tanks now as I round the turn along the slave trail below I-95. The rounded steel shows a slight sheen from where the water rose in last year’s flood. They sit on top of what is the beginning of Richmond living shoreline floodwall. Since the 30’s portions of the Manchester floodwall have given way to a living shoreline

structure of boulders and vegetation, although specific portions of the wall remain intact for its unique qualities and events such as the climbing wall off of Semmes Avenue and the movies on the floodwall just northwest of the old Purdue factory. To the southeast however, the land slopes away from the floodwall, down to Manchester Gardens. This is the community that I came to visit.

THE RIVER CITY

BACKGROUND RESEARCH

Beside the I-95 exit ramp, and north of Commerce St. is an entrance into the south of Richmond for many who live and travel to the city. It suffers from a typical quality of urban landscapes in industrial areas where trucks and equiptment are stored in the left-over

parking lots and paved spaces. Main industrial uses from the past have begun to move to less expensive areas of Richmond and the surrounding region, leaving these lots behind. This area of the city is subject to future land speculation by developers. These fourteen

ON THE JAMES

lots in Old Town Manchester may take the shape of similar developments throughout Richmond, or they could set a new precedent for this southern

capital as a more resilient community, which cherishes the James River, the water its residents consume, and their subsequent lifestyles. Richmond is known as the “River City” yet might better relate to the James still.

The River City

BESIDE THE REMAINING INDUSTRY

OLD SOUTH MANCHESTER

Legend

Chesapeake Bay Basin

Enterprise_Zones_2016

Office_Zoning_Henrico

STUDY AREA

Research_Park_Zoning_Richmond

Industrial_Zoning_Richmond

CITY

PRIDE IN PRODUCTION

Industry was once a major source of pride for Manchester, and this “River City” as it facilitated the economy and trade. Today manufacturers are less reliant on water-based transportation and power, freeing the waterfront up to recreation and environmental initiatives.

Pride in Production

MANCHESTER GARDENS

THE FUTURE RIVERFRONT

HARGRAVES RIVERFRONT MASTERPLAN

This resulted in the Riverfront Masterplan. It was released in 2012 noting “the James River is an unparalleled natural and cultural resource, unique to Richmond and critically poised to catalyze both growth and conservation at the core of the City”.

The James River and the land surrounding it is planned to become a main park for Richmond. This provides an opportunity to address the current state of the James River’s water quality and how the river itself has divided north and south Richmond over the years.

MANCHESTER GREEN

RICHMOND RIVERFRONT PLAN

MANCHESTER RIVER TERRACES

Richmond Riverfront Masterplan

RICHMOND RIVERFRONT PLAN

NOVEMBER

COMBINED SEWAGE + STORMWATER OVERFLOW

The James is not a clean river. In wet weather conditions, storm and wastewater fill the lower pipes that divert water to the wastewater treatment plant. Instead, it overflows from the system; likely overflowing into the James River.

WASTEWATER

STORMWATER

STORMWATER ONLY OUTLET

COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW

VACANCIES + PRIORITY ECOLOGICAL AREAS

South of the James lies numerous vacant parcels. These have been designated as having a high suitability for reuse for community gardens in order to satisfy the needs of the food desert in Old Town Manchester.

VACANT PARCELS OF ECOLOGICAL VALUE

VACANT PARCELS FOR ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE

Richmond Green Infrastructure Assessment

The Future Riverfront

MANCHESTER GARDENS

RICHMOND’S FUTURE

DOWNTOWN MASTERPLAN

Richmond can look to the vacant lots and derelict properties to amend sitespecific issues within the urban landscape. As the Downtown Masterplan (shown to the right) propels redevelopment throughout the city, key places show potential as the grounds for innovation. The adaptive reuse apartment buildings such as Miller

Lofts (shown below) utilize remnant water tanks as sign-age and attribute to a “Richmond-like” character. Future development could better distinguish unique neighborhoods in the city by drawing on site specific amenities, which can also help resolve critical health and economic issues with facing Richmond.

Richmond’s Future

TREATMENT PLANTMUNICIPAL WASTEWATER

CITY OF RICHMOND - WATER

Wastewater in particular is the blackwater from Richmonder’s homes, businesses, offices, and the like. This used water from toilets, sinks, showers, and any other drain in the city is piped to the wastewater treatment plant on the southeast side of the city. Though

the plant cleans the water of many toxins, it cannot rid the water of all carcinogens and contaminants. This is not particular to Richmond, as the nation struggles with similar issues. This is a major concern for a developed contry since many americans’ drinking water contains lead and contaminatnts related to cancer.

ewg.org/tapwater

CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDLINES

BROMODICHLOROMETHANE

Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.

CHROMIUM (HEXAVALENT)

Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater.

CHLORATE

Chlorate forms in drinking water as a byproduct of disinfection. Chlorate impairs thyroid function, making chlorate exposure most harmful during pregnancy and childhood.

CHLOROFORM

Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.

DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE

Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.

TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANES (TTHMs)

Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.

OTHER DETECTED CONTAMINANTS

FROM:

Municipal

U.S. DRINKING WATER

40,000 (81%) OF WATER SYSTEMS CONTAIN CONTAMINANTS LINKED TO CANCER.

250 MILLION AMERICANS’ (77% OF U.S.) DRINKING WATER CONTAINS HEXAVALENT.

7 MILLION AMERICANS DRINK UNSAFE AMOUNTS OF NITRATE IN THEIR WATER.

19,000 WATER SYSTEMS CONTAIN LEAD AT UNSAFE LEVELS FOR CHILDREN.

THERE ARE + 250 CHEMICALS IN AMERICANS DRINKING WATER.

160 CONTAMINATS HAVE NO FEDERALLY ESTABLISHED LIMITS.

Data from 50,000 water utilities, which serve 280 million people.

UNITED STATES - WATER ewg.org/tapwater

STUDY AREA

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

U.S. Drinking Water

POLLUTION SOURCES

AGRICULTURE

CHLORATE

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES

CHLORATE, BARIUM, CHROMIUMTOTAL, STRONTIUM, CHROMIUMHEXAVALENT, VANADIUM

NATURALLY OCCURING

BARIUM, CHROMIUMTOTAL, STRONTIUM, CHROMIUMHEXAVALENT, VANADIUM

RUNOFF + SPRAWL

NONE

TREATMENT BYPRODUCTS

CHLORATE, FLUORIDE, HALOACETIC ACIDSHAA5, CHLOROFORM, BROMODICHLOROMETHANE, DIBROMOCHLOROMETHANE, TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANESTTHMs

DECENTRALIZING TREATMENT

RELEIVING PRESSURE ON WWTP

Many pollutants in Richmond’s water may well come from the wastewater treatment practices by the municipality today. Though the plant utilizes advanced technology in treatment, it may be asked to accomplish a bit too much. New developments within Richmond, could better serve citizens by looking to the underlying landscape and the

ecosystem services provided therein. Individual communities could treat their own wastewater to higher standards than what the current municipality is capable of. In doing so, the wastewater treatment plant can better serve the public by treating more difficult toxins from industrial and agricultural practices.

Decentralizing Treatment

THE OMEGA CENTER

CASE STUDY - LEAST MECHANICAL REQUIREMENT

Treats for 119 buildings on site: Campus Buildings - 26 Residential Buildings - 93

In total: - 80,529 sq. feet of Dormitories - 80,240 sq. feet of Campus Building

Yeilds: - 52,000 gallons of wastewater daily - 8.4 million gallons of wastewater yearly

Cleans to New York advanced wastewater non-potable reuse standards.

Rain water is retained and initially broken down in two 5,000 gallon tanks, then directed to outdoor constructed wetlands.

Wastewater is gathered in another 5,000 gallon tank to be pumped to indoor lagoons. Water is then filtered by a sand filter before it is used to irrigate surrounding gardens, flush toilets and other non-potable uses.

A

reuse in toilet flushing, outdoor water features and grounds irrigation. The outdoor wetlands would also provide habitat for native plants and animals.

The OCSL Eco-Machine is designed for continuous treatment throughout seasonal fluctuation in climate (hot summers and freezing winters) and campus attendance The use of an indoor aerobic treatment process and ext ensive outdoor wetlands reflect these design parameters.

Treatment Process

The OCSL Eco-Machine uses a combination of outdoor constructed wetlands and aerated aquatic cells to treat up to 52,000 gallons per day of domestic sewage. Campus wastewater flows first through a series of underground septic storage tanks which provide primary treatment and removal of settle-able solids. From the septic storage tanks effluent is dosed into terraced 20,000 square foot wetlands. In the wetlands nutrient-rich wastewater is consumed by root-associated micro organisms and converted into humic matter. Effluent from the wetlands flows into the aerobic cells within the OCSL building. In these cells nutrient rich water forms the basis of a food web that includes an abundance of organisms from all five kingdoms of life. Microscopic algae, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, snails, fishes and zooplankton all thrive in the diverse aerobic environment of suspended plant roots and contribute to the consumption of

1. Retaining Tanks - 10,000 2. Anoxic Tank (aka Aanaerobic Tank) - 5,000 gallons 3. Constructed Wetlands - 20,000 sq. ft. 4. Aerated Lagoons - 1,030 sq. ft. 5. Sand Filter - 5,417 sq. ft. 6. Subsurface Dispersal 7. Rain Gardens 8. Rainwater Cistern 9. Demonstration Wastewater Lagoon 10. Entry Vestibule 11. Learning Lab

Studies

new NORM management.

HASSALO ON 8TH

CASE STUDY - MODERATE MECHANICAL REQUIREMENT

LOT really, mechanical away, irrigation, groundwater. toilet system. This helps reduce the impact of combined River. gallons per year! process.

There are 3 designed buildings on site: Velmor - 6 stories, 177 Apartments

Elwood - 5 stories, 143 Apartments

Aster - 21 stories, 337

Apartments

Plus an anchor grocery story on the street and a community plaza.

In total: - 592,616 sq. feet of Apartments - 271,582 sq. feet of Offices - 31,707 sq. feet of Retail - 26,400 sq. feet of Grocery

Yeilds: - 45,000 gallons of wastewater daily - 7.3 million gallons of wastewater yearly

Cleans to Oregon state quality class A standards.

Water is retained and cleaned by the greenroofs, a 212,000 gallon cistern, a 1,700 gallon filtration tank and a 150 gallon per minute bag filter. This allows for 100% irrigation water reuse of 64,000 gallons and 539,266 gallons of the toilet and urinal requirements.

Meet the new NORM in water management.

I n most developments, used water from sinks, toilets, and showers is pumped and piped away to a city’s centralized wastewater treatment plant. That takes a LOT of energy, and can burden the treatment plants. At Hassalo on Eighth, wastewater is handled in a way that makes much more sense for an eco-community…and really, for any community.

Say hello to NORM, Hassalo on Eighth’s Natural Organic Recycling Machine. Unlike energy-intensive, conventional wastewater plants, NORM is a hybrid system that combines the best of natural processes, with the best of low-energy, simple mechanical processes to treat and recycle wastewater.

NORM recognizes water for the life-giving resource it is. Rather than whisking it away, NORM treats the water right here, and recycles it for use in toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling towers at Hassalo on Eighth. NORM also recharges the local groundwater.

WHAT NORM DOES FOR HASSALO ON EIGHTH…AND FOR PORTLAND

» Treats and recycles 100% of all wastewater from Hassalo on Eighth’s three new buildings and reuses it to recharge groundwater and supply water for all of the toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling demands.

» Prevents up to 45,000 gallons of water per day from entering Portland’s sewer system. This helps reduce the impact of combined sewer overflow during storms, and helps protect water quality in the Willamette River.

» Saves up to 20,350 gallons of potable water per day and over seven million gallons per year!

HOW NORM WORKS

NORM is complex, but not complicated. It takes wastewater through an 11-step process.

800.220.0919 www.biohabitats.com

Hassalo on 8th showcases the constructed wetlands to the public through the planting beds adjacent to buildings on site, yet there is much more to the system than what is readily visible to pedestrians.

Water is fully recycled through the buildings for cooling, toilet flushing, irrigation, etc.

Studies

Integrating Development + Wetlands RECONCILIATION

The soft, hydric soils of wetlands are not typically condusive to urban development. Due to this, the ground of urban landscapes has been hardened, especially where there may have been wetlands along a river. This is certainly the case along the James

River in Richmond, Virginia. Today, constructed wetlands have proven to treat wastewater yet are most necessary in the urban landscape where development pressure is most intense. If urban design can remedy the aparent disjunction between development and

wetlands, our cities could enjoy tremendous financial savings and health benefits. Private industries have trialed wastewater treatemnt through constructed wetlands and found signicant cost savings. Dow Chemical in particular saved $39 million upon

construction of its plant in Sea Drift, Texas in 1995. In the ten years between construction and the most recent progress report in 2015, this site has saved the company $282 million. How much more could our urban populations benefit from similar retrofits?

INDUSTRIAL MANCHES

Existing Condition

DECENTRALIZING TREATMENT

FROM PARKING LOTS TO TREATMENT WETLANDS

The paved surfaces and buildings in poor condition consume valuable landscape space within this site. Here is where the landscape can perform for the benefit of the community by treating and recycling wastewater from constructed wetlands, back to the buildings. The location of such wetlands should coinside

with surrounding hydrological patterns and will help determine the structure of the built form. The size of such wetlands will vary depending on the necessary program of this community.

Decentralized Treatment

HOW CAN THE EXISTING HYDROLOGY COMPLEMENT ON-SITE TREATMENT?

A vacant lot to the north of Miller Lofts has become overgrown with dense vegetation as a result of collected runoff from adjacent blocks. The flat land around here is used as a dog walking area, next to a parking lot for nearby apartments.

Background

DECENTRALIZED TREATMENT

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND TREATMENT SELECTION

Use

There are 3 designed buildings on site: Lofts at Commerce - 5 stories, 120 Apartments

Mixed Use 1 - 1.5 Stories

Mixed Use 2 - 2 Stories

Each of the mixed use infill buildings from the Downtown Plan will likely have retail shops and restaurants on the 1st floor with apartments located above.

Compared to Hassalo on 8th In total: - 452,829 sq. feet of Apartments - 34,043 sq. feet of Retail - 486,872 sq Feet Total - Compared to 922,305 sq. Feet for Hassalo’s wastewater treatment

Site square footage is 1/2 the size of Hassalo’s - Requiring 389 sq. feet of treatment to Hassalo’s 738 sq. feet.

Sizing Breakdown: - 112,360 gal. Cistern - 901 gal Filtration Tank - 389 sq. ft. Constructed Wetlands

There are 52,258 sq. feet of available landscape on site, and Hassalo on 8th’s wastewater treatment design would require 389 sq. feet of treatment.

Compared to Omega Center

In total: - 452,829 sq. feet of Apartments - 34,043 sq. feet of Retail - 486,872 sq feet Total - Compared to 160,769 sq. feet for Omega’s wastewater treatment

Site square footage is 3 times the size of Omega - Requiring 77,013.5 sq. feet of treatment to Omega’s 25,417 sq. feet.

Sizing Breakdown: - 30,300 gal. Retaining Tank - 15,150 gal Anoxic Tank - 60,600 sq. ft. Constructed Wetlands - 3,121 sq. ft. Aerated Lagoons - 16,414 sq. ft. Sand Filter

There are 52,258 sq. feet of available landscape on site, but the Omega Center’s wastewater treatment design would require

Decentralized Treatment

Treatment + Development

DECENTRALIZED TREATMENT

“RECIP” TIDAL FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

This treatment system is the adaptation of Hassolo on 8th’s Tidal Flow Reciprocating Cell Constructed Wetland, which pumps water through a tidal-based simulation in order to engage the microbial life necessary for wastewater treatment

Each of these filters, tanks and the anoxic reactors and anaerobic digesters are designed to treat wastewater to the Virginia state standard of 10 mg/L of BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand). This is actually sufficient for potable water

reuse, but is socially challenging to implement in many communities. Until citizens grow more accustomed to on-site water recycling, wastewater is reused for toilet flushing, irrigation, building cooling, etc.

TIDAL FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

TRICKLING FILTER

TREATED WATER TANK

GREYWATER TANK

HASSALO ON 8TH - TRANSLATED

Although Hassalo on 8th uses an 11-step process and two more sets of wetland treatment cells, the reciprocating tidal flow constructed wetland proved suitable for this site’s treatment requirements and allowed for a singular planting scheme in a 7 step process.

is handled in a way that makes much more sense for an eco-community…and really, for any community.

Say hello to NORM, Hassalo on Eighth’s Natural Organic Recycling Machine. Unlike energy-intensive, conventional wastewater plants, NORM is a hybrid system that combines the best of natural processes, with the best of low-energy, simple mechanical processes to treat and recycle wastewater.

NORM recognizes water for the life-giving resource it is. Rather than whisking it away, NORM treats the water right here, and recycles it for use in toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling towers at Hassalo on Eighth. NORM also recharges the local groundwater.

WHAT NORM DOES FOR HASSALO ON EIGHTH…AND FOR PORTLAND

» Treats and recycles 100% of all wastewater from Hassalo on Eighth’s three new buildings and reuses it to recharge groundwater and supply water for all of the toilet flushing, irrigation, and cooling demands.

Decentralized Treatment

» Prevents up to 45,000 gallons of water per day from entering Portland’s sewer system. This helps reduce the impact of combined sewer overflow during storms, and helps protect water quality in the Willamette River.

» Saves up to 20,350 gallons of potable water per day and over seven million gallons per year!

HOW NORM WORKS

NORM is complex, but not complicated. It takes wastewater through an 11-step process.

Follow NORM (@PortlandNORM) on Twitter. 800.220.0919 www.biohabitats.com

DECENTRALIZING TREATMENT FROM PARKING LOTS TO TREATMENT WETLANDS

The pair of wetlands shown below is where the tidal flow simulation takes place. While the wastewater filters though the soil in one wetland cell, the other cell is at rest. This ensures the longevity of plantings. Water is always kept 1.7 feet below

the surface. Most odor is filtered out of the water by the trickling filters before it is brought into the landscape, however this precaution is necessary so water does not overflow from the cells.

TRICKLING FILTER

WATER IS CONTAINED 1.7 FEET BELOW SURFACE

GREYWATER TANK

TIDAL FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

TREATED WATER TANK

HOW CAN EXISTING LANDSCAPE MATERIALS RECYCLE ON-SITE?

As the paving is taken up in order to make room for the constructed wetlands, the asphalt and other preexisting elements on site may be used to structure the designed landscape in some areas, while the rest is crushed to provide an appropriate aggregate within the future substrate.

These elements of the previous landscape will be recycled through the breakdown and phytoremediation of future plantings on site. In this way, while the wastewater is treated and recycled by the wetlands, the urban soils and materials from the past are recycled as well to clean the site for future use.

Decentralized Treatment

Masterplan

MANCHESTER GARDENS

MASTERPLAN DEVELOPMENT

Although critical vehicular connections must be kept through this development, some east-west connections are not as crucial. Four main corridors are retained in the final masterplan for Manchester Gardens -- 2nd through 5th St. initially, Richmond’s Downtown Masterplan called for an infill strategy, which

retained the streets as well as undesirable buildings, and lots. Manchester Gardens restructures the layout of these thirteen blocks to increase pedestrian circulation throughout, and centrally locating a greater amount and variety of amenities within this community.

ENVISIONING MANCHESTER GARDENS

Adapting the current condition (shown below: current condition-left, DT Masterplan Infill-Right) could enable a more functional street network through

the various shops and apartments, but would not place a great priority on the streets. Where then could a viable set of wetlands thrive and add to the character of this place?

Manchester Gardens

MANCHESTER GARDENS

DOWNTOWN PLAN ANALYSIS

The community would likely benefit from an increase in the amount of shops, services, and apartments as the Downtown Masterplan proposes. However, the built form in which this program takes should be subject to the character of the community it is designed for. After analyzing the pedestrian network provided by this infill strategy (the purple paths shown to the right), and the likely places within this community (sketches in red to the right), the community should place emphasis on

inter-block connections for pedestrians as opposed to individual courtyards and the sidewalks along the streets. This will allow for more quality open space and access to destination points throughout the community, while including the treatment wetlands as an aesthetic resource.

Site - Downtown Plan Infill Proposal

Concept Development

MANCHESTER GARDENS

VACANCY ANALYSIS

In clearing enough land for the treatment wetlands, key vehicular connections are kept where necessary. Unnecessary streets are eliminated and parking garages are provided within 300’ from current residences.

MANCHESTER GARDENS

Concept Development

MANCHESTER GARDENS

INTER-BLOCK CONNECTION CONCEPT: FLOW

The boundaries of the project were determined by the industrial use in the north where the natural gas facility is and the active remediation block. The curved lines throughout the site look at how residents could move through the site basing an initial organization around this idea of flow.

MANCHESTER

Concept

MANCHESTER GARDENS

INTER-BLOCK CONNECTION CONCEPT: FLOW

This helps determine a framework for the layout of both open spaces and the wetlands for treatment, while leaving enough area for the architectural program within this community.

MANCHESTER

Concept Development

MANCHESTER GARDENS

INTER-BLOCK CONNECTION CONCEPT: FLOW

Propoed builings are arranged in varrying sets of smaller blocks to provide a variety of housing types, shops, and services. The landscape is then structured into softscapes such as parks, playgrounds, and recreation fields (shown in dark green) and hardscapes such as plazas and courtyards (shown in red) with the wetlands (in light green) weaving between these two landscape types.

MANCHESTER

Concept Development

MANCHESTER GARDENS

PLACEMAKING: DESITNATIONS + GREENSPACE

The building arangement and landscape types are refined to provide larger park settings near the more dense apartments, while lawns and courtyards address the program of the mixed use apartments throughout and allow for specific functions of the hotel, community center and museum.

MANCHESTER GARDENS

Concept Development

MANCHESTER GARDENS

COMMUNITY PROGRAM

This arrangement is further carved out by pedestrian movement patterns (shown in purple) between apartments, stores, and other destinations within Manchester Gardens. Understanding the potential patterns of movement across this community helped form an organic structure and enables the pedestrian to flow from place to place.

MANCHESTER

Concept Development

MANCHESTER GARDENS

COMMUNITY MASTERPLAN

The resultant design for the landscape orients residents and visitors of Manchester Gardens internally, into a park-like setting throughout the thirteen blocks. Dog walkers, children, and parents alike are provided the spaces for necessary activity within their community which incorporates the wetlands as an essential landscape, native to this setting in Richmond.

MANCHESTER

Concept Development

Masterplan

Concept

RICHMOND’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT EMBEDDED ECOLOGY

The planned development of this site makes it a priority to visibly connect culture and the environment together in an obvious fashion. From the brick facade of new construction that relates to the adaptivity reused apartment buildings, to the native

plantings, which specifically thrive in the Richmond region, the design of the site desires to reveal a Manchester Gardens community as the landscape which should exist here for the healthiest, most enjoyable experience.

Ecology

An

Design

EMERGENT MARSH - FRESH NATIVE WETLAND COMMUNITY

The Emergent Fresh Marsh ecosystem is the wetland existing along the James River near Richmond. Smartweed and Broad-Levaed Cattail are two macrophytes known to treat wastewater (P. G. Home and K. G. Muthigo). Smartweed (Polygonum spp.) is known to remove the

most Zinc from the water, yet Cattail (Typha spp.) areanother native species which assist in nutrient and heavy metal removal, while strengthening the planting’s resilience over time.

TRICKLING FILTER

WATER IS CONTAINED 1.7 FEET BELOW SURFACE

TREATED WATER TANK

GREYWATER TANK

A RESILIENT ECOLOGY

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

TREATMENT

An Embedded Ecology

Polygonum spp. Smartweed Typha latifolia Broad-Levaed Cattail

Sagittaria latifolia Broadlead Arrowhead

calamus Sweet Flag

When we look below the surface of Richmond’s derelict sites, especially in Old Town Manchester, we find the potential to reveal a landscape that previously existed on the site and which can benefit future communities. Since this portion of the city was in the 100 year floodplain (before the floodwall), it may have been home to a diverse wetland filled with wildlife.

Particular species from this very ecosystem are now proven to treat wastewater on site, and can be designed with detention basins surrounding the wetland cells. These basins will grow the other wetland plantings from the Emergent Fresh Marsh ecosystem, allowing the city to implement a native ecosystem within the urban environment, for a healthier city.

As urban design considers how human life corresponds with the surrounding environment it can reconcile the long disparate institutions of nature and humanity, thus developing a more cohesive urban ecology.

An Embedded Ecology

Site Design

RIVER HILL

AT MANCHSTER GARDENS

This community certainly challenges a few key issues with of our waste cycles, many of which still persist to date. We found the confidence to amend the wastewater pollution cycle when we realized that the human production of waste is just a natural cycle of life. We should not be ashamed of this, yet accept it so that we can continue to realize how to take full advantage and responsibility for our actions. If the state of our growing cities and our natural environments are to improve simultaneously, we can humbly employ nature to provide for us -- as we always have. Herein we can enjoy our world a bit more and take pride in lives we lead.

TREATMENT + DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION

At River Hill is a collaboration for wastewater treatment between the three apartment buildings shown to the right. Mechanical storage in the garage pumps the 21,450 gallons of wastewater from these buildings through the wetlands on a daily basis. Throughout this daily process, it is a community where the technological advances of wastewater treatment function and feel more like natural processes even as the city’s population grows.

This is key to the success of on-site wastewater treatment. Although it is essential to treat our water, we have grown acustom to pushing waste “out of site, out of mind” per say. This is why the particular plantings must reinforce Richmond as the “River City” -- a claim to cherish the James River as an ammenity.

note: for wastewater treatment details see pages 92-101.

River Hill

INVITING RECIPROCATION

When recovering the heavily paved sites and transforming them to accomplish the goals of Manchester Gardens, asphalt and urban soils are reused to create distinct features, unique to this community. Where the wetlands are introduced, an entirely engineered ecology is designed. This ensures the control of the system, and improves the health of surrounding soils and vegetation as well. A key to this community’s success will be conveying the rationale for specific design decisions and recycling programs to developers throughout Richmond and other cities. Open collaboration will lead to more sustainable communities in the long run and help resolve some of the worlds most challenging issues. This design is an invitation to work toward a better future, together.

RIVER HILL IN THE RIVER CITY

OPEN SPACE

This pedestrian-oriented commmunity is deigned to allow residents and visitors to flow from place to place. The performance area shown above is a main attraction in the River Hill community and is at the center of a feature hotel, outdoor mall, and public park.

AESTHETIC VALUE WATER TREATMENT

As people commute between the shops, apartments, parking garages and so on, they cross a bridge between native wetlands. This enhances the presence of the James River’s ecology within the site so that people can appreciate and learn about the specific environment they are in.

The constructed wetlands to treat wastewater from surrounding buildings is located at the center of this community’s wetland areas. See the four distinct cells above, which circulate wastewater in a tidal simulation. This engages microbial life in the soil to break down harmful wastes.

A RECYCLED LANDSCAPE

NATIVE TREATMENT

People within this community must be able to understand the process they engage in. They are reliant on the landscape and functions of it for everyday necessities. Only through compelling education and design, can people come to

It is a community where the technological advances of wastewater treatment function and feel more like natural processes even as the city’s population grows.

A Recycled Landscape

MATERIALS REUSE RECYCLED LANDSCAPE

A planned community must not rid itself of seemingly unusable materials. Rather, the community can also recycle the asphalt, metals, bricks, etc to provide aggregates in the soil, and structural elements throughout the community. This will only further distinguish the community and help relate to its past.

The landscape is a place where Richmond can also recover derelict lots of its past industry and provide key destinations for its citizens.

A Recycled Landscape

A Recycled Landscape

NOTE:

DEVELOPMENT FOR OLD TOWN MANCHESTER

Residents of Old Town Manchester are located within a food desert. This means the urban population is not within walking distance to an appropriate grocery store. This is a major priority for Manchester and helped inform what shops and services would be located within Manchester Gardens. In addition, this community does not have many restaurants, or other shops, yet is

surrounded by offices and other places of work. Offering more places to eat and shop in the core of Manchester Gardens would attract visitors from the nearby working population. There is also a Railroad Museum near the waterfront in Manchester. More museums could line the waterfront as a transition into the Riverfront Park.

Development for Old Town Manchester

Street

HULL ST.

Street is located in the southern part is one of the more heavily trafficked six study areas. The ADT for Hull into two segments: from 1st Street to Road (20,000 vehicles) and from Road to Cowardin Avenue (14,000 grocery stores operates in the trade Hull Street trade area follows the areas along the river to the north and southwest as Forest Hill Avenue.

area directly follows block groups to western and southern boundaries. It neighborhoods of Swansboro, Heights, Blackwell, and Manchester. illustrates the trade area boundaries. It 2.34 square miles.

TRADE AREA

Map 50 Hull Street Convenience Trade Area SchoolsRestaurants

Hull Street is located in the southern part of the city and is one of the more heavily trafficked streets in the six study areas. The ADT for Hull Street is cut into two segments: from 1st Street to Commerce Road (20,000 vehicles) and from Commerce Road to Cowardin Avenue (14,000 vehicles). No grocery stores operates in the trade area.

Trade Area

The Hull Street trade area follows the residential areas along the river to the north and extends as far southwest as Forest Hill Avenue.

This trade area directly follows block groups to form the western and southern boundaries. It includes the neighborhoods of Swansboro, Woodland Heights, Blackwell, and Manchester. Map 50 illustrates the trade area boundaries. It encompasses 2.34 square miles.

Map 50 Hull Street Convenience Trade Area

MuseumsLibraries

CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR WASTEWATER RECYCLING

The planned development of this site makes it a priority to visible connect culture and environment together in an obvious fashion. From the brick facade of new construction that relates to the adaptivity reused apartment buildings, to the native planting

BENEFITS

SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL DISCHARGES

- VOLUME (STORMWATER, WASTEWATER, CSO)

- CONSTITUENTS (ORGANICS, NUTRIENTS, COMPOUNDS OF CONCERN)

CONSTRUCTED TO SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE CUSTOMER; LIMITS “EXCESS CAPITAL”

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY IN ENERGY AND RESOURCES

PROVIDE HIGHER QUALITY EFFLUENT WITH NUTRIENTS REMOVED, BECAUSE IT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR REUSE

ELIMINATES INFILTRATION AND INFLOW CONDITIONS TYPICALLY ADDRESSED IN SMALL SYSTEMS

LOWERS SECURITY RISK DUE TO SMALLER SIZE AND GREATER DISPERSION FROM 2010 ASLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE - asla.org

PRINCIPLES

PRINCIPLES

LIVING MACHINES LIVING MACHINES CONT.

CREATE MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES OBTAINED FROM AQUATIC AND TERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS, ESPECIALLY FROM CHEMICALLY AND THERMALLY STRESSED ENVIRONMENTS

CREATE PHOTOSYNTHETIC COMMUNITIES, AS PHOTOSYNTHESIS IS THE PRIMARY DRIVING FORCE OF THESE SYSTEMS, CREATING DYNAMIC BALANCE BETWEEN ANAEROBIC PHOTOTROPIC MICROBES, CYANOBACTERIA, ALGEA, AND HIGHER PLANTS, AND HETEROTROPHIC MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES

LINK AT LEAST THREE DISTINCT TYPES OF ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS TO PRODUCE LIVING MACHINES THAT CAN SELF-DESIGN AND SELF REPAIR OVER TIME

ESTABLISH LONG + SHORT TERM PULSED ECHANGES THAT ARE BOTH REGULAR AND IRREGULAR TO MAINTAIN DIVERSITY AND ROBUSTNESS

ENSURE RESERVOIRS OF MACRO NUTRIENTS AND TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE SYSTEM, AND REGULATE CARBON, NITROGEN, AND PHOSPHOROUS RATIOS, SO THAT COMPLEX FOOD MATRICES ARE AVAILABLE TO A VARIETY OF SUCCESIONAL STRATEGIES

INTRODUCE GEOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND MINERAL COMPLEXITY THROUGH SOLUBILIZED ULTRA-FINE MINERAL PWDERS FROM A DIVERSITY OF STRATA AND AGES

ENSURE STEEP GRADIENTS WITHIN AND BETWEEN THE SUB ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM

ENSURE A DIVERSE RANGE OF ALL PHYLOGENETIC LEVELS FROM BACTERIA TO VERTEBRATES ARE INCLUDED.

THE MICROCOSM IS A MIRROR OF THE MACROCOSM - I.E. STYSTEM SHOULD FOLLOW THE DESIGN OF THE GLOBAL SYSTEM IN TERMS OF GAS, MINERAL, AND BIOLOGIC CYCLES TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE

Todd, Nancy Jack., and John Todd. From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design. North Atlantic Books, 1994

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Recycling

WASTEWATER RECYCLING

ESSENTIAL LOGISTICS

A Settling Tank is used for each building. The Lofts at Commerce will have a tank at >19,400 Gal. River Hill North will have a tank at >800 Gal, while River Hill South will have a tank at >1,250 Gal.

A Reciprocating Pump will work for 1 hour out of every 3 hours so that the 8 cycles of wastewater will flow through the wetlands each day.

recycle flow per day. Ultimately, this ensures 81,198 L (21,450 Gal) of non-potable water for reuse as irrigation, toilet flushing, heating cooling, etc.

Major Takeaways

Two pairs of ReCip Tidal Flow Wetlands will function simultaneously. These are 4 total wetlands of 656.25 ft3 at 1.7 ft. deep. The surface area for each wetland is 387 ft2.

194,875 L (51,481 Gal) of wastewater will be pumped into the wetlands 1 hour after the initial pump of 81,198 L (21,450 Gal) of wastewater.

● A Settling Tank is used for each building. The Lofts at Commerce will have a tank at >19,400 Gal. River Hill North will have a tank at >800 Gal, while River Hill South will have a tank at >1,250 Gal.

The porosity of the aggregate will be 40% -- a mixture of coarse sand and silt.

A Storage Tank of >51,481 Gal (30,000 Gal) is necessary for the reciprocating wastewater + primary treatment wastewater. These are each 54’-2” in length and 10’ in width.

● Two pairs of ReCip tidal wetlands will need to function simultaneously. This equals 4 total wetlands of 656.25 ft3 at 1.7 ft. deep. The surface area for each wetland is 387 ft2.

● The porosity of the aggregate will be 40% -- a mixture of coarse sand and silt.

REPRESENTATIVE POROSITY RANGES FOR SEDIMENTARY MATERIALS (After D.K. Todd)

2 identical Storage Tanks of >51,481 Gal (30,000 Gal) will hold the treated water. These are each 54’-2” in length and 10’ in width as well.

4 trickling filters at 21 feet high by 8 feet in diameter will treat wastewater after cycled through from the anoxic reactor.

There are four concrete tanks. Two anaerobic tanks at 16.5’ X 16.5’ each with a Chemineer 2GTP-3, 3 hp vertical mixer in each. The following two anoxic tanks are 22’ X 35’ each with a Chemineer 3GTP-3, 3 hp vertical mixer in each. All tanks are 17.5’ deep.

Geonics TN5, 1980

● A reciprocating pump will work for 1 hour out of every 3 hours so that the 8 cycles of wastewater will flow through the wetlands each day.

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Recycling

“RECIP” TIDAL FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

DETAILED SCHEMATIC WASTEWATER RECYCLING

The daily wastewater flow is 21,450 gallons per day.

This is because there are 255 apartments in the Lofts at Commerce, of which 65 are one-bedroom units, 157 are two-bedroom units, and 3 are three-bedroom units. For the 388 people who will produce 50 gallons of wastewater per day (based on the U.S. EPA per capita flow), the Lofts at Commerce will produce 19,400 gallons of wastewater a day. The River Hill Lofts consist of 25 one-bedroom apartments, and 14 retail shops. This project assumes each retail store produces the typical wastewater of a one-bedroom apartment, and the coffee shop at River Hill South produces roughly 3 times the amount of a one-bedroom apartment. In this case River Hill North produces 800 gallons of wastewater each day, while River Hill South produces 1,250 gallons of wastewater per day.

Preliminary sizing of wastewater treatment wetlands based on the necessary Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of the wastewater for the state of Virginia. Since two hours are necessary to allow the wastewater to flow through the wetland, the system can achieve twelve cycles per day.

Flow of daily wastewater from each of the buildings will be 21,450 gallons per day, or 894 gallons per hour.

The BOD load is a product of the wastewater flow (21,450 Gal/ day) and the typical composition of municipal wastewater after primary treatment (150 mg/L (Weinheimer)).

Therefore -- 21,450 Gal/d (81,198 L/d) * 150 mg/L = 12,179.7 grams per day.

Minimum surface area = (12,179.7 g/d) / (50g/m2/d) = 244 m2 (2623 ft2)

244 m2 is the area for one wetland, while the ReCip tidal flow wetland is designed in pairs. This requires an second, equally sized cell. For the Virginia requirement of 10 mg/L of BOD, this means the wetland needs to be 488 m2 (5246 ft2) at a minimum.

The wetland cell depth is assumed to be 0.5 m (Weinheimer), resulting in a minimum volume per cell of 122 m3 (1312.5 ft3). This totals to a volume of 244 m3 (2623 ft3).

Resting periods for the ReCip tidal wetlands are necessary so that excess biofilm does not accumulate in the substrate. This means the system much have two pairs of wetlands at a depth of 0.5 m. Therefore the volume of each cell is 61 m3 (656.25 ft3).

A porosity of 40% is assumed for the aggregate, meaning the pore volume for the individual cells is 24.4 m2 (262.5ft2) = 24,400 L (6,446 Gal). In this case, the flow of the 81,198 L (21,450 Gal) of wastewater filters through the wetlands just under 4 times. ReCip tidal wetlands are selected in order to circulate the flow of wastewater 8 times a day (Weinheimer). A total flow of 194,875 L (51,481 Gal) is necessary, resulting in an additional 113,677 L (30,031 Gal) of recycle flow per day. Ultimately, this ensures 81,198 L (21,450 Gal) of non-potable water for reuse as irrigation, toilet flushing, heating cooling, etc.

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Recycling

“RECIP” TIDAL FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Recycling

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Recycling

RESOURCES

Ecodistrict Systems Buildings can be Better Together. glumac.com/ecodistrict-systems-buildings-can-be-better-together.

EWG’s Tap Water Database. Ewg.org/tapwater.

Hargreaves Associates. “Richmond Riverfront Plan.” 26 November 2012.

Hassalo on 8th Wastewater Treatment & Reuse System. Biohabitats.com/projects/hassalo-on-8th-wastewater-treatment-reuse-system-2.

Hassalo on Eighth, Pt I: Masterplan & Site Design. NextPortland.com/2015/03/02/hassalo-on-eighth-pt-i.

Home, P. G., and K. G. Muthigo. “Assessment Of The Efficiency Of Different Mixes Of Macrophytes In Removing Heavy Metals From Wastewater Using Constructed Wetland.” Scientific Conference Proceedings. 2013.

Omega Center for Sustainable Living. AIAtopten.org/node/109.

Omega Center for Sustainable Living Eco-Machine. ToddEcological.com/data/uploads/casestudies/jtedcasestudy_omega.pdf

Omega Center for Sustainable Living Opens in Upstate New York. inhabitat.com/omega-center-for-sustainable-living-opens-in-upstate-new-york.

On the Progress and Promise of Water Reuse. ArchitectMagazine.com/practice/on-the-progress-and-promise-of-water-reuse_o.

“Richmond Green Infrastructure Assessment.” Green Infrastructure Center and E2 Inc. for the City of Richmond, Virginia. December 2010.

Stelfox, Michael J. “Responding with Landscape as an Ecological Art for Evidence-Based Design.” 5 May 2017.

Todd, Nancy Jack., and John Todd. From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design. North Atlantic Books, 1994

U.S. EPA. “Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands For WasteWater Treatment.” July 1993.

U.S. EPA. “Guiding Principles For Constructed Treatment Wetlands: Providing For Water Quality And Wildlife Habitat.” October 2000.

U.S. EPA. “Free Water Surface Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: A Technology Assessment.” June 1999.

Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. “Tidal Wetlands Guidelines.” August 2008.

Waage, Sissel. Uhl, Mike. Dow Builds the Business Case for Green Infrastructure. greenbiz.com/article/dow-builds-business-case-green-infrastructure.

Weinheimer, Ina. “Wastewater Treatment using Tidal Flow Wetlands.” October 2015.

MANCHESTER GARDENS

Nature is the flow of change within which humans exist. Evolution is its history. Ecology is our understanding of its present phase.

- Diana Balmori