George W. Bush Presidential Library

Dallas, Texas

Occupying a prominent 23-acre site on the Southern Methodist University campus, the George W. Bush Presidential Center stands as one of the most restorative urban landscapes in the nation. To transform this highly-disturbed site into a thriving 15-acre park, JBC Landscape Architects designed a complete ecological restoration that mimics the natural resilience of the Blackland Prairie, Post Oak Savannah, and Cross Timbers Forest. The project is supported by the firm’s sophisticated agronomic soil designs, which utilize self-sustaining biological processes to support a diverse mosaic of native Texas environments.

Central to the site’s LEED Platinum certification is an innovative water resource management strategy that captures runoff, rainwater, condensate, and cooling tower process water to meet over 60 percent of the landscape's irrigation needs. JBC designed an elaborate system for harvested water to pass through bioswales and wetland polishing cells before being stored in a 400,000-gallon underground cistern.

The system employs leading-edge smart irrigation technology, utilizing real-time evapotranspiration rates and soil moisture sensing to automate precision water delivery. By integrating advanced subsurface drainage with high-performance irrigation design, JBC Landscape Architects created a technical foundation that maintains water quality and ensures the long-term vitality of this civic landmark.