PROJECT PARNTER(S)
Architect: Mithun
Civil Enginering: KPFF Civil
Landscape Architect: Atlas Landscape Architecture

LOCATION
Portland State University, Portland, Oregon

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS
3SP, 3Ci, 3SC

DESCRIPTION
Stephen Epler Hall, a new dormitory building for Portland State University, is a certified LEED Silver project that includes a rainwater harvesting system which collects rainwater from the roofs of Stephen Epler and King Albert Halls as well as the paved surfaces of the space between the two.

After collecting on the rooftop, the rainwater in channeled through visible downspouts into river rock-filled splash basins. The water then spills through decorative scuppers into runnels filled with cobblestone blocks that sit flush with the concrete courtyard and is carried into a series of water quality planters where it is filtered through a layer of sand, collected and then sent to an underground cistern. The water is then used for landscape irrigation and first floor toilet flushing.

PHOTOS AND DRAWINGS


LESSONS LEARNED
Green infrastructure features that link building and landscape performance can help root architecture in the site.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
links, other sources of info about this case study