Bassett Associates is a landscape architecture firm based out of Calgary, Alberta. Providing a full suite of professional services for over 25 years, they pride themselves on remaining at the forefront of innovation.
The firm’s projects span several areas of expertise including: Visioning, new community open space planning and design, commercial and institutional developments, parks and recreation facilities, stormwater facilities and constructed wetland, urban streetscapes, and entrance features.
Basset Associates secured a contract with Section23 planning a 1,000 square-foot greenhouse with a rainwater harvesting system. In spring 2024, they reached out to 5th World, as they were familiar with the work of Rob Avis—Chief Engineering Officer, 5th World—in the permaculture space.
Working as a subcontractor, 5th World designed the rainwater harvesting system:
“[Working with 5th World] was excellent,” said Valerie. “We were on a pretty tight deadline, and Rob and the team were very accommodating. They really worked hard over a very short period of time to get us the design and workable documents. So, we really appreciated that. [The team was] very responsive and professional.”
The project is located in Rangeview, “Calgary’s first garden-to-table community.” The innovative community seeks to cultivate a new way of life, where residents may plant and harvest community gardens, participate in educational programmes, grow personal home gardens, attend community events and markets, and enjoy the area’s parks and open spaces.
[The project] is in a community, and we’re trying to create learning opportunities,” said Valerie. “Along with the greenhouse and all the other agricultural features we’re trying to implement in this city suburb setting, we wanted to do a demonstration of what a rainwater harvesting system could do and how it works.”
She continued:
“So it’s really a learning opportunity as well as a functioning system—getting people interested in rainwater harvesting in their own yards, on their own properties.”
Construction on the greenhouse concluded just before the winter weather set in, and the rainwater harvesting system will be implemented in early spring this year. Bassett Associates plan to continue integrating regenerative approaches into their projects.
“I think we’re trying to learn more and more [about regenerative solutions],” said Valerie. “Certainly, Rob Avis and 5th World have helped educate us on how we can look at what we’re doing and make it more regenerative—through the drip irrigation systems that we install or design, plants, food forests, rainwater gardens, etc.”
She continued:
“Education is such a big part of it—understanding [regeneration] and pushing for it. I think projects like this are important because they lead by example. People can start to see how things can be better.”
