We focused on the challenge of building a religious site on land with steep slopes, dense woods, and heavy stormwater runoff. Our goal was to design a safe, buildable, and environmentally responsible site for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple in Tallahassee. Without careful engineering, the site’s steep topography and flooding risks would have prevented construction.
We created a comprehensive design that included grading, drainage, parking, and utility layouts. Because the site is near a main road, we followed Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regulations to secure proper permits. Managing stormwater was a top priority due to frequent heavy rainfall in the area. Our final design used a stormwater pond, underground pipes, and natural flow paths to control runoff. This system prevented soil erosion and protected nearby properties by treating and attenuating water before discharge.
Preserving existing trees while meeting city building codes presented another major challenge. We clustered buildings and parking areas to reduce tree removal and provide natural landscaping buffers. This approach maintained the temple grounds’ peaceful character while benefiting the environment. We ensured all paths and parking areas met ADA standards, providing safe access for all visitors.
Our final solution balanced engineering requirements, environmental stewardship, and community values. The design met all City of Tallahassee requirements as well as state and federal regulations. This project demonstrated how thoughtful site planning can transform difficult terrain into functional and respectful public space.