Designing Stormwater Treatment That Complements the Landscape
Stormwater management is an essential part of site design, but it doesn't have to come at the expense of aesthetics or usable space. For civil engineers and landscape architects, the challenge is meeting water quality requirements while preserving the character and functionality of a development.
Engineered bioretention and biofiltration systems address this challenge by combining effective stormwater treatment with compact footprints and flexible landscape designs. Using specialized media and vegetation to treat runoff, these systems can be integrated into the surrounding landscape rather than appearing as separate infrastructure.
Solutions such as Filterra Bioretention and Modular Wetlands Linear can be incorporated into commercial developments, streetscapes, pedestrian areas, and other highly visible spaces. Trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and decorative hardscape materials allow designers to complement the surrounding architecture while maintaining stormwater treatment performance.
Maximizing Usable Site Area
Space is often one of the most significant constraints in stormwater design, particularly on commercial, urban, and redevelopment projects.
Traditional bioretention systems may require substantial surface area to provide the necessary treatment capacity. Engineered systems with higher media flow rates can significantly reduce the footprint required for treatment, preserving valuable space for parking, pedestrian circulation, landscaping, and other site uses.
For example, Filterra Bioretention can be incorporated into parking lot islands, streetscapes, and landscaped areas without dominating the site.
A smaller treatment footprint gives designers greater flexibility to accommodate stormwater requirements while making efficient use of available land.
Design Flexibility for Different Landscape Settings
One of the advantages of engineered bioretention and biofiltration systems is their ability to complement a variety of site conditions and landscape styles.
Commercial Developments and Parking Areas
Filterra Bioretention can be incorporated into parking lot islands and landscaped commercial areas, allowing stormwater treatment to coexist with parking, circulation, and pedestrian access. Trees, shrubs, and other plantings help integrate the system into the surrounding landscape.
Streetscapes and Pedestrian Areas
Filterra and Modular Wetlands Linear can be incorporated into sidewalks, landscaped corridors, and pedestrian spaces. Specialty tree grates, decorative stone, and coordinated hardscape materials allow visible system components to complement nearby buildings and landscape features.
Raised Planters and Architectural Landscapes
Modular Wetlands Linear can be integrated into raised planters and other landscaped site features. Architectural finishes and flexible planting options allow the system to complement commercial developments, campuses, and other highly visible locations.
Naturalized and Arid Landscapes
Modular Wetlands Linear can also be incorporated into naturalized and arid landscapes using regionally appropriate vegetation. This flexibility helps designers maintain a consistent landscape appearance across different climates and site conditions.
Additional Options for Landscape Integration
Different system configurations provide additional opportunities to balance stormwater performance and site aesthetics.
The Filterra Bioscape Vault combines engineered stormwater treatment with a more traditional landscaped appearance. Its larger planting area accommodates a mix of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation, helping the system blend into the surrounding development.
Designed to Blend In. Built to Perform.
Stormwater treatment infrastructure doesn't have to dictate how a site looks or limit how valuable space is used.
With thoughtful planning, engineered bioretention and biofiltration systems can meet stormwater treatment requirements while contributing to attractive, functional landscapes.
Whether incorporated into a commercial parking area, urban streetscape, raised planter, or naturalized landscape, Filterra Bioretention and Modular Wetlands Linear demonstrate how stormwater treatment can become part of the site—not simply an addition to it.
See What's Possible
Explore Contech's Bioretention & Biofiltration Solutions eBook for real-world examples of how stormwater treatment can be integrated into a variety of landscape settings.