The George Washington University’s Square 80 selected for Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) Pilot Program

05.25.2010

The Sustainable Sites Initiative™ (SITES™) has selected The George Washington University’s Square 80 public plaza, designed by STUDIO39, for the SITES pilot program. SITES is the first national rating system for sustainable landscape design, construction and maintenance.

The Square 80 courtyard replaces an existing parking lot and service alleys with an urban plaza, expansive lawn, ornamental tree grove, extensive pedestrian network and an outdoor classroom for GW’s new Sustainable Landscape program. Sustainable project elements include: native plant material, biofiltration planters, pervious paving, cisterns and rain barrel to capture overflow water and roof top rainwater for irrigation, rain garden and bio swale filtration.