An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer recently brought attention to the successful integration of Wissahickon Creek into Germantown Academy’s (GA) Fort Washington campus master plan, the blueprint of which was developed by WRT.
The idea behind setting aside six of GA’s 126 acres as restored wetlands and meadows – now known as the Preserve – was formulated in the early stages of the school’s master planning development. Since relocating from Germantown to Fort Washington in 1965, GA had struggled for years with the fact that its existing four athletic fields were located in the flood plain delineated by a section of the Wissahickon Creek running through part of its campus, and for much of the academic year remained inaccessible to the student population.
After deciding the athletic fields would be moved to higher ground, Eric Tamulonis, landscape architect for WRT, assisted the school in coming up with a plan to effectively deal with the existing flood plain – turning a perceived disadvantage of the school’s context into a hands-on environmental learning opportunity for both GA students and the larger Philadelphia community. Tamulonis’ approach highlighted wetlands, forests, meadows, filtration basins, outdoor teaching “classrooms,” trails, wildflower beds and a butterfly garden. The net result of this approach effectively reduced runoff into Wissahickon Creek and ultimately improved the surrounding wildlife habitat.
In support of this plan to integrate the creek into the larger GA campus, Maarten Pesch, lead architect for WRT, embraced the theme of water in his approach to the design of the new middle and upper school building – built to meet the US Green Building Council’s energy and environmental design standards. In addition to a green roof system which can be utilized as a teaching resource for impromptu classes on water management and sustainable practices, the new academic building is infused throughout with dramatic views of the Preserve, drawing attention to the school’s inherent natural context.
Faculty at the academy is already planning a comprehensive environmental program for GA students with the Preserve at the heart of the curriculum. The school also intends to open up the Preserve to the wider academic community, with plans of inviting students from a variety of Philadelphia schools for field trips to the creek.
External Links:
Germantown Academy's master campus plan http://www.germantownacademy.net
Germantown Academy breaks ground on nature preserve http://timesherald.com/article/20111017
Internal Links:
Germantown Academy Master Plan
