St. George’s School Library Rain Garden

LID Type: Rain Garden

Use: Institutional

Installer: Shawmut Design & Construction (Grading) and Lori Silvia (Planting)

Designer/Developer: PDR (Architect); VHB (Civil Engineer); and Lori Silvia, St. George’s School Gardener (Planting Design)

Install Date: July 2011

Address: Kane Avenue and Campus Drive

Town: Middletown

Zip Code: 02842

County: Newport

Contact:

Lori Silvia

St. George’s School Gardener

The rain garden associated with the Hill Library addition and renovation project at St. George’s School is a collaboration between Perry Dean Rogers (PDR), Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB), Shawmut Construction, and Lori Silvia (St. George’s School Gardener). When PDR (architect) and VHB (civil engineer) began implementing sustainability initiatives for the new building, a rain garden became a key player in the project’s stormwater management strategy. The 1,600 square foot garden, located downhill from the library’s west side, receives stormwater runoff from the building’s roof where it can be infiltrated back into the ground.

Working in tandem with PDR, VHB, and Shawmut Construction (excavation and grading), Lori Silvia carefully selected and planted all of the vegetation for the garden, with the intent of having color in all four seasons and providing habitat for small animals, insects, and birds present on St. George’s campus. The garden utilized a special soil mix of 40% compost, 40% sand, and 20% topsoil, much of which was salvaged from the excavation of the site. The rain garden has also become an important component in the project’s quest for LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Address: Kane Avenue, Middletown, RI 02842