Project Portfolio
Harvesting Rain in Higher Ed
A sustainable campus master plan integrating native plants, permaculture and active and passive rainwater collection.
Prescott, Arizona



Skywater’s Strategy
Taking a master-plan approach, Barnabas designed phased development for the sustainable campus core of this small but renowned environmental education college in the high desert. Phase one’s passive rainwater harvesting system considers both existing hardscape and planned improvements. A network of planted basins collects and delivers precipitation to native plants — and to edible landscape beds integrated as part of the plan’s permaculture goals. Beds were graded to receive runoff, making passive rainwater collection the landscape’s primary, long-term irrigation supply. Phase two adds active rainwater harvesting, such as that integrated into The Village, the school’s student housing complex.
Specifications
Project: Prescott College Campus Commons
Average annual precipitation: 13 in.
Hardscape capture: ±7,500 sq. ft.
Academic building capture: 5,000 sq. ft. (not yet used)
Storage: landscape soil, steel tanks (planned)
TEAM
Designer: Barnabas Kane for Skywater and T. Barnabas Kane & Assoc.
Architect: Weddle Gilmore Black Rock Studio
Installer: Prescott College