ZDA: 2012 MPower Business Champion

ZDA is living and working greener

ZDA is proud to be a 2012 MPower Business ChaMpion, taking the pledge to make a positive change in our greenhouse gas emissions, and inspire other small businesses. Over the last nine months, we’ve challenged ourselves to reduce our carbon footprint by working smarter and making our design studio more energy efficient. Upgrades include greener computing practices, energy efficient lighting, and purchasing renewable energy. Future projects will include harvesting rainwater for irrigation needs and experimenting with green roofs. We are happy to report our lowest energy bill (July 2012), in the last three years!

For more information or to see a list of this year’s MPower Business ChaMpions, visit Mpowering Madison.

Natural Playgrounds for Healthy Kids & Active Minds – Part II

Kennedy Heights Natural Playground Construction is Complete

This August, ZDA assisted in leading over 86 volunteers in the final touches of the newly dedicated Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Natural Playground at Kennedy Heights on Madison’s north side. The community build day was the culmination of a month-long construction project, and over four months of planning and community input. ZDA lead the process from initial design through construction, and neighborhood children, adolescents and teenagers are already making the playground their own, by playing, building and inventing with natural materials. With the help of professional contractors and volunteers from a variety of neighborhood, community and local businesses, what was once a flat mowed lawn area is now an integrated outdoor classroom and play space comprised of rock grottos, open running areas, a climbing hill, rock and tree trunk climbers, a tricycle race track with bridge, performance stages, dedicated 4-square and tether-ball areas, and sand and mud building areas.

For information on Kennedy Heights Community Center or the Community Build Day, please visit their website.

Click here to view photos of the community build day.

PARK(ing) Day 2012 

Friday, Sept 21, 2012
Come visit ZDA’s Pocket Park

Next week, ZDA is hosting a one-day pocket park in downtown Madison as part of PARK(ing) Day 2012. Originated by Rebar in 2005, an interdisciplinary art and design studio in San Francisco, PARK(ing) Day is an annual world-wide event where a metered parking stall is transformed into a temporary public park. With so much open space in urban areas currently used for the movement and storage of vehicles, PARK(ing) Day provides an opportunity to explore alternative, people-based uses of these short-term borrowed spaces. Our PARK(ing) space aims to provide a temporary respite that promotes the benefits of usable, public open space. Please join ZDA and other participants of PARK(ing) Day at our pocket parks in downtown Madison and Milwaukee – or perhaps you’ll find some in your own city!

Visit Park(ing) Day’s website to learn more.

Plan & Plant Now for Bursts of Spring Color

Check out Bulb Magic, written by Joan Ziegler

ZDA’s article in the current issue of Madison Originals Magazine provides information and ideas on planning for spring color and delight by planting bulbs in your home or business landscape during the fall. The article supplies helpful information, tips on plant groupings within your existing gardens, as well as highlighting specialty bulbs and tried-and-true performers.

You can view the article online at Madison Originals. You can also pick up a copy in your favorite Madison restaurant, grocery store or business.