Community Landscape Projects - Design for flood prone areas

​CFU Flood Wall
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Completed: 2012

Following the flood of 2008 CFU was determined to protect their facility with a flood wall.  The wall ranged in size from 3‘ to as much as 16’.  Faced with multiple options and various patterns to choose from, CFU sought our assistance in exploring options with local community leaders in attendance.  Align Architecture & Planning presented multiple solutions and the committee opted to go with a version we see today.  It borrowed detail from downtown flood wall design and provides light pole accent to what is considered the CFU entrance. The remaining wall was designed to reduce visual exposure of the wall and instead added a berm with plantings to beautify the highly visible project.  An additional walkway was added to gain access to the nearby creek and large limestone rocks were placed to provide seating and retaining features.  The CFU monument sign was designed to mimic this look. ​

Waverly "Pocket Park"
Waverly, Iowa
Completed: ​2009

The flood of 2008 resulted in the devastation of concrete and planting. Pavings were replaced and new more flood resistant, low maintenance plantings were installed.