The White Tank Branch Library project started in 2010 with the salvage of 16 trees. We also salvaged plants and cacti, including 54 saguaros. These materials were then placed in an on-site nursery and cared for during the construction of the library.

We developed a design-build program in conjunction with landscape architect Brian Qualls. The stated challenge and goal of the design-build concept was to complement the Platinum Leeds status the library construction was trying to achieve by utilizing all the on-site salvaged material or materials only from an adjacent property. At the entry colorful arid adapted perennials and medicinal plants were the only nursery purchased material. Only site specific native seed was used for re-vegetation purposes.

The irrigation system was designed to provide an efficient commercial level hard-pipe drip irrigation system operated by a solar controller. Micro-tubing was placed at the drip line of the plant material with extra runs ready to expand outward in the second year to encourage new root mass to grow away from the root ball. The commitment to the LEEDS program was that the irrigation system would be turned off in year three.

The west to east sloping nature of the site allowed for rudimentary water harvesting techniques to slow and spread the natural water flow augmenting the irrigation water to the plants. On site rock was used as a mulch cover allowing the soils to better retain moisture and slow the water flow to encourage pioneer native plants to germinate. Wells were created on the downside of the plants to trap water runoff prior to entering the extensive wash and arroyos built and approved prior to the landscape installation. Roof and condensate water was directed to the two large front planters at the entry prior to entering the washes.

A native medicinal garden with a descriptive plaque showing the plants and describing their usages was installed at the library’s entrance as a gift from us.