Landscapes That Adapt

Normandale Community College asked the design team to help reduce campus water use by 15% to meet a statewide conservation goal. Instead of relying on a fixed benchmark that ignores changing weather, the team developed a weather-responsive approach that adjusts irrigation based on rainfall and plant water needs. The study identified opportunities to improve irrigation systems, update landscape areas, and train staff in more efficient water management. These recommendations informed a campus-wide landscape improvement plan. Together, the work turns a simple conservation requirement into a long-term strategy for smarter water use and provides a model other campuses can follow.