University of Texas - Dell Medical District
​The 16.2-acre Dell Medical District in central Austin transforms a dense urban campus setting into a restorative landscape that supports ecological function, social connection, and the health and well-being of students, educators, and patients.  As the first SITES v2 Gold-certified project in Texas, the district established a new model for sustainable site development at The University of Texas at Austin.
Waller Creek, which runs through the center of Dell Medical School, was a primary driver of the site’s ecological design. Prior to construction, invasive species comprised approximately 70 percent of the creek-corridor canopy.  An 18-month restoration effort removed invasive vegetation, stabilized streambanks, and reestablished diverse native plant communities, restoring the riparian corridor as a functioning ecological asset.
Streetscapes, plazas, and planted open spaces create inviting places for gathering while connecting the campus to the surrounding urban environment. Stormwater features—including rain gardens, permeable pavers, rainwater harvesting, and a green roof—are integrated as visible site amenities that reveal local climate and hydrology.
Through integrated planning and design, the Dell Medical District:

• Reduced irrigation demand by 75 percent; once established, most landscape areas require no supplemental irrigation.
• Restored 100 percent of native plant communities within the riparian corridor.
• Successfully transplanted and reused native vegetation, including multiple heritage live oaks.
• Restored and reused more than 3,318 cubic yards of soil.
• Used recycled-content materials representing 28 percent of total materials cost.
• Managed the 80th-percentile rainfall event—approximately 46,939 cubic feet of runoff—using integrated green infrastructure.

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​Location:  Austin, Texas
Size:  16.2  Acres
Client:  University of Texas at Austin
Scope:  Soil design and restoration, ecological research and design,  Sustainability and SITES consultant
​Completion: 2018
Project team:  ​SITES Gold, Platinum Green Grounds Certification
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