MENLO PARK SILICON VALLEY LUME DEVELOPMENT

storm drain at a metered, much slower rate than traditional curb-and-gutter flow. This attenuation greatly reduces peak discharge pressures on Menlo Park’s drainage infrastructure
during heavy storms.

Stratavault: Engineered for Growth, Built for Performance

At the heart of these green infrastructure improvements is Citygreen’s Stratavault engineered soil vault system.

Stratavault modules are structural cells installed beneath sidewalks, plazas, roads, and other paved areas to hold large volumes of quality soil for trees while supporting the weight of urban loads. Unlike traditional urban tree planting where soil is often heavily compacted (providing as little as 20% of the root volume a tree needs), the Stratavault system keeps the soil loose and aerated, with up to 95% of the soil volume available for root growth. Its interlocking skeletal structure bears the load of surface pavements, providing tremendous vertical and lateral strength to support traffic, all while the soil beneath remains uncompacted and biologically active.In the Menlo Park project, the generous soil volume delivered by the Stratavault matrix, not only promotes healthy tree growth (leading to robust root systems and large shade canopies), but also doubles as an underground stormwater reservoir. The void space within the soil cell matrix effectively acts as a below-grade storage chamber for rainwater, allowing the soil and root network in each vault to function as a “living sponge” that soaks up runoff and promotes filtration at the source.

This dual functionality is a cornerstone of the design’s innovation – the same infrastructure that provides load-bearing support and nutrient rich soil for thriving trees is simultaneously performing as sustainable drainage infrastructure. By integrating the tree pits with the stormwater system, every square foot of streetscape is working both ecologically and structurally to improve performance.

Construction Challenges

Constructibility and proper installation were also key to Stratavault’s success in Menlo Park. An important lesson learned on this project was the need to align the soil cell assemblies with the intended root zone elevation during construction.

In one phase of the build, unforeseen site conflicts required the Stratavault base to be installed slightly deeper than ideal, meaning some tree roots initially had limited access to
the structured soil layer below. As a result, those particular trees could not immediately exploit the full volume of quality soil that was provided for them.

In a subsequent phase, the team adjusted and set the Stratavault system at the proper elevation relative to the tree

planting depth, ensuring the new trees could tap into 100% of the available soil volume from the start.

This adaptability and fine-tuning in the design/install process highlights how small technical calibrations can dramatically influence long-term outcomes.

Where Resilience Meets Community

Beyond the technical achievements in engineering and arboriculture, the Lume development improvements underscore a powerful place making impact. The addition of 6,000 feet of protected bicycle lanes and wide pedestrian walkways, buffered from traffic by rows of trees and rain garden swales, has greatly improved safety and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians.

What was once a car-dominated thoroughfare is now a people-friendly green avenue that encourages walking and biking by providing continuous shade and aesthetic appeal. Commuters heading to nearby business campuses and residents of the new housing can enjoy a pleasant, tree-lined route separated from vehicle lanes, promoting a healthier and more active community lifestyle.

The aesthetic transformation is equally notable. Rows of mature canopy trees, thriving in the Stratavault matrix, are expected to grow to full size and provide extensive shade
over sidewalks and adjacent properties. This will help mitigate urban heat and create inviting outdoor spaces for the public.

Within the Lume development, a publicly accessible, tree-lined paseo running through the site offers residents a dedicated dog park and an open space to gather, relax and exercise. It’s a wonderful example of how to take a

narrow, shaded corridor between two buildings and optimize it for livability. Even in a high-density residential setting, these green amenities ensure a daily connection to nature:
residents and visitors have places to linger, socialize, and seek respite under the trees. The inclusion of the dog park in particular has created a lively community hub where neighbors meet and interact, underscoring the social value of integrating green space into urban design.

The integration of green infrastructure has enhanced the area’s resilience and functionality during weather events. Even in heavy rains, the streetscape remains largely free of
surface water hazards. Instead of large puddles or unsafe runoff, stormwater is mostly invisible as it flows into the soil systems, quietly doing the work of irrigation and cleansing
the water. This means significantly reduced flood risk and the virtual elimination of stormwater as a nuisance on sidewalks or roadways during normal rain events.

By handling water sustainably on-site, the project exemplifies environmental stewardship that can foster community pride. In blending environmental function with civic quality, the Menlo Park project has created a more livable public realm that benefits everyone.

Ultimately, the Menlo Park Lume development demonstrates how landscape infrastructure and livability go hand in hand. The thoughtful deployment of Stratavault soil cells and green
design principles not only solved technical problems (such as providing sufficient soil volume for trees and managing stormwater runoff) but also generated a more enjoyable and
cohesive urban space.

Citygreen’s DESIGN SERVICES team was integrated from the start, and their approach effectively turned standard street trees and planters into high-performance infrastructure, delivering value on multiple levels: ecological, functional, and social. The once-overlooked roadway has been reinvented as a resilient, vibrant public realm that will
serve Menlo Park for decades to come.

Two years since planting, Menlo Park continues to grow, but this project stands as a blueprint for how cities can build resilience into their very fabric. The Lume initiative illustrates what’s possible when engineering innovation, landscape architecture, and sustainable policy converge. With the help of advanced green technologies like Stratavault, a rapidly developing city can deliver best-in-class performance in both ecological function and community benefit. Such achievements in sustainable infrastructure provide a hopeful model for other municipalities seeking climate-ready development that enhances, rather than undermines, quality of life.