Site and Landscape

Although we are located in a suburban area, our project team wanted to create a site that would resemble the prairie grassland that dominated the area before it was developed. More than 70 percent of the project’s three-acre site is planted with species native to southeast Michigan. The site features more than 50 native species, including many types of grasses and wildflowers; in 2010, we added a butterfly garden.

The site also features a constructed wetland with two ponds and a cistern that can store up to 18,000 gallons of rainwater. This cistern ensures that the ponds have enough water throughout the year and provides irrigation for the vegetated roof areas during dry periods of the summer.

The property was designed to reduce the volume of stormwater that runs off the site.

The native plants and constructed wetland work with the vegetated roof areas and bioswales, or shallow channels planted with vegetation, to hold rainwater on site.

In addition, our parking lot and walkways are covered with pervious pavers resting on layers of crushed rock. This allows rainwater to filter into the ground instead of being channeled to the city’s sewage treatment facility.

These strategies protect the ecological health of the site and reduce the use of energy required to transport and treat stormwater runoff.

Instead of relying on herbicides and pesticides to maintain the landscape, we hand-weed to control invasive species. As our landscaping becomes more established, less weeding is required.

Natural prairies depend on brushfires to kill invasive plants, return nutrients to the soil and encourage native plant growth. To encourage the health of the prairie plants here, we work with trained professionals to perform an annual controlled burn of our native landscaping – including our green roof areas.

The native landscaping has attracted a variety of wildlife. Regular visitors include geese, ducks, egrets and many species of songbirds. We’ve also spotted herons, hawks, a fox and a muskrat.

The parking lot and the building’s roof surfaces are light in color, allowing them to remain cool during sunny summer days. This reduces the project’s contribution to the urban heat-island effect. The cool roof also limits the heat load of the building, reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer.

In 2010, the Sustainable Sites Initiative  (SITES) selected the Kresge headquarters for an international pilot program to evaluate the SITES’ new rating system for sustainable landscapes. In selecting the Kresge project, SITES noted our extensive use of sustainable practices, including on-site rainwater management and soil protection and restoration. As a program participant, Kresge joins more than 150 other projects in 34 states and in Canada, Iceland and Spain.

Water Use

Our headquarters was designed to limit use of treated water, also known as drinking water or potable water. Conserving water also reduces the energy needed to treat and transport potable water and wastewater.

The project landscaping uses mostly drought-resistant, native vegetation. Once established, these plants can survive on rainfall alone, requiring no extra irrigation.

Part of the building’s roof is also planted with native vegetation. Because these plants are growing in shallower soil than those growing in the ground, they do require irrigation. The project is able to supply all of this irrigation from rainwater falling on the site and stored in a cistern.

Inside the building, low-flow faucets, waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets help conserve water.

Read more about Our Green Headquarters.