Adapting the prairie phenomenon to the city, we created Urban Prairie, consisting of five earthwork insertions that are embedded into a restored hard-paved surface. The contour lines set the undulating pattern for the circulation of pathways. Situated on the existing roof structure of a parking garage below, weight distribution was a major consideration. The load of the undulating landforms was reduced through a lightweight soil medium, and mound heights were built up with panels of styrofoam. Point loads under trees were deliberately positioned over existing columns of the structure below.