Sacred Places
Green Rooftop and Labyrinth
The nation's first urban green roof and labyrinth, above downtown Washington.
WHERE
Washington, DC
PARTNER INSTITUTION
American Psychological Association
Visit
Where it is
10 G Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
What happens here
Employees and visitors come up for quiet reflection. The labyrinth is open to the public on weekdays from 7am to 7pm. Take the middle elevator to the penthouse or ask the security guard, and bring photo ID to be admitted to the building.
HOW IT CAME TO BE
The sewer overflows seventy-five times a year.
Drag to see the transformation.
01
The Need
Washington's antiquated sewer system carries downtown water and sewage to a treatment plant and then into the Potomac under normal rainfall. During the heaviest storms, about 75 times a year, it overloads, and untreated water and raw sewage run into area rivers and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. In the year cited, roughly 1.5 billion gallons went into the Anacostia.
02
The Vision
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation approached the APA about the runoff problem. The APA, with 115,000 members, took it on with a dual aim: give employees and visitors a place for quiet reflection, and help prevent pollution in local waterways. The World Resources Institute, a tenant in the building, partnered on creating and implementing it.
03
The Transformation
What went onto the roof is considered the nation's first urban green roof and labyrinth project: a green roof garden absorbing stormwater that would otherwise reach the Anacostia, with a labyrinth open to the public seven floors up.
WHO TENDS IT
Tara Davis
Firesoul, Green Rooftop and Labyrinth
Read more →
HEAR FROM THE VISITORS
From the Little Yellow Journal
If everyone took some time out of their day to be with their thoughts and focus only on the next turn I think we would be more content with the present + unconcerned with the winding road ahead, all paths lead to you + your inner self!
