World Garden Commons at Rabanus Park

World Garden Commons at Rabanus Park

Fargo, North Dakota

Collaborating with engaged citizens, the City of Fargo, and an ecological artist, our team facilitated and crafted a multi-functional commons area within an 18-acre stormwater basin.

The project also laid the groundwork for the community to continue exploring connections, learning about its diverse cultures while creating a self-sustaining, hydrologically functioning stormwater basin true to the prairie ecology.  Our team synthesized and translated a body of design ideas and works of shared authorship by artists and the community into construction documents that maintained the conceptual integrity of artist Jackie Brookner’s initial vision.  We facilitated community design events, translated the clay models and drawings of local artists into digital models and drawings for transdisciplinary approval, and provided cost estimating, bidding and construction administration services.

Community outreach activities included engaging kids from kindergarten through high school to identify natural play areas and providing on-site education. Native American community members were also engaged to identify ethno-botanicals used in the planting design and New American populations - which include refugees and immigrants from 20 different nations.