Building Better with Bio-Friendly Geofoam
In November 2023, crews working on the Obama Presidential Center began placing large, white cubes of geofoam along the eastern side of the project site. Made from expanded polystyrene (EPS), this substance is 100 times lighter than soil, making it an ideal “site fill” material that can be used to add natural contours to the landscape without the need for the additional structural support that is required when using heavier earth materials.
“Geofoam is basically a bio-friendly styrofoam. It is used as a filler to reduce the amount of import fill on-site — say sand import or a granular stone import — which usually adds a lot of tonnage on retaining walls and structures,” said Deante Mahome, site work superintendent for Lakeside Alliance. “It goes below the subgrade to form up the large masses of the hills onsite, so we place geofoam at the bottom to create elevation.” Currently, geofoam is being installed around the parking garage, Forum, Library and Museum Building structures — helping bring to life features of the campus’ landscaping like the Great Lawn.
Geofoam is made in 4x8 foot cubes but can be easily shaped to fit a project’s specific needs. “We have special hot wire cutters that allow us to cut geofoam to any shape,” said Shelley Ryan, general superintendent at BrightView. Along with 19 local, minority-owned businesses they’re partnering with on the project, BrightView is responsible for planting, soil and soil accessories, stone embankments, fences and gates, playground equipment and miscellaneous metals.
Geofoam also has a number of environmental benefits. “Geofoam insulates around and on top of buildings, mitigating the need to heat or cool them,” Shelley continued. “It doesn’t release toxic chemicals into the environment or atmosphere. Plus, it’s recyclable. Any leftover geofoam scraps not used on-site can be melted and reformed into future blocks.”
Visitors to the Obama Presidential Center may not know there is geofoam underneath them as they are playing on the playground or going down the sledding hill, but for Deante, Shelley, and #TeamOPC, the work behind the site landscaping is especially meaningful because of the impact it will have on the community.
“I have been in the Englewood community for half of my life...It means a lot to be involved in the Center because it will impact not just Chicago, but people around the country who come to see it. I can carry this project with me throughout my life, go back to the campus to appreciate the unique landscaping and my impact,” said Deante.
For Shelley, landscaping construction is about bringing color back to the site. “With landscaping, sites transform from all gray to a space filled with colors and wildlife, and eventually families and kids. We’re making a place where people from the community can congregate and recreate, which is incredibly rewarding...We’re on a mission to bring people in and build diverse and inclusive spaces, both through our work on the Center and in construction more broadly.”
Geofoam installation is set to conclude in 2024. However, the full landscaping scope is just beginning, with Lakeside Alliance and #TeamOPC set to achieve many more exciting construction milestones in the months to come.
Meet the Author:
This blog was created by Hillary, a Chicago Public Schools student from the community surrounding the Obama Presidential Center.
As an intern with our communications team, C-Strategies Inc., Hillary drafted social media posts, designed graphics, interviewed team members onsite and developed additional content for Lakeside Alliance’s channels during the summer 2024.
Lakeside Alliance is grateful for Hillary’s perspective and contributions to the project!