Residential Design

INDEX OF SHEETS INTRODUCTION Project Goals & Intentions...1 Context & History..................2 Ecological Context.................3 Existing Conditions................4 ANALYSES Sun/Shade...............................5 Slopes.......................................6 Drainage...................................7 Access & Circulation..............8 Vegetation & Soils.................9 Summary Analysis..............10 DESIGN Schematic Alternatives....11 Preliminary Design Alts.....12 Final Design: Phase 1.........13 Final Design: Phase 2.........14 Conceptual Sections.........15 INSTALLATION Water Management............16 Planting Plan.........................17 Materials & Precedents.....18

6 4 S t a t e S t r e e t, A m h e r s t: A sustainable landscape design prepared for Alyssa Melnick A project of the Conway School of Landscape Design Fall 2009 Abrah Jordan Dresdale

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a) Incorporate Existing Perennial Garden with Surroundings

2) Increase Sunlight & Feeling of Spaciousness

b) Create Play Area

3) Create Network of Looping Trails that c) Keep Coco, the Dog, Visit Peaceful Safe from Street Destinations 6 4 S t a t e S t r e e t, A m h e r s t d) Site Compost Pile 4) Increase Low Maintenance Food E) Seek Opportunities Production for Sustainability

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1) Manage Water

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

Secondary Goals

~Alyssa Melnick~

Primary Goals

Conway School of Landscape Design

meeting project goals with creativity, aesthetic beauty, and ecological responsibility.

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

Overall Intention: To create a cohesive landscape that responds to the conditions of the site while

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

Project Goals & Intentions

The turn of the century farmhouse j, barn k, and stone well l are picturesque structures that have persisted since the transformation of this site in the 1940s from agricultural to residential use.

Alyssa would like to honor the agricultural history of the land through the continuity of food production and other practices of self-sustenance.

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Abrah Jordan Dresdale

The surveyed area is 1.75 acres and is the focus of the design for this 3 acre site.

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332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

Originally a family farm owned and operated by the Silvonics in the early 20th century, 64 State Street retains relics of its historical past. The existence of the Mill River Conservation area is the result of the Allens’--previous property owners’--decision to gift parcels of the original farm to the Town of Amherst to be put into conservation.

Additionally, the strip of land on the eastern side of State Street, which is currently dotted with 1970s ranch houses, was also part of the Silvonic family farm.

~Alyssa Melnick~

Within the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts, Alyssa Melnick’s property is located in North Amherst, just northwest of the University of Massachusetts campus. 64 State Street straddles the edge between developed, suburban land to the east and south, and conservation land (green) to the west and north. The property abuts the Mill River Conservation Area, which houses the Mill River and several hiking trails through its beautiful riparian forest. Alyssa and her 11 year-old sons, Quintin and Miles, live within 5 minutes walking distance to the Mill River Recreation Area, which boasts a pool, tennis, and basketball courts, and within a 20 minute walk to waterfalls and swimming at Puffer’s Pond.

Conway School of Landscape Design

Context & History

2009

Mill River Conservation Area

3. Mill River Conservation Area An natural gem, the surrounding Mill River Conservation Area consists of a riparian forest, wetlands, perennial streams, the Mill River, and a network of trails (with Mill River 2 and Julius Lester Trails in close proximity), which links up with Amherst’s 35 miles of contiguous hiking trails.

To Mill River Recreation Area

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4. Priority Habitat for Rare Species

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The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) has determined the Mill River Conservation Area, which abuts the property, to be Priority Habitat for Rare Species. Any proposed changes, such as vegetation removal for trail building, along the boundary with the conservation area may need to be reviewed by the NHESP for Massachusetts Endangered Species Act compliance.

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The town of Amherst has determined part of the property and much of the adjacent conservation area to be in Flood Prone Conservancy Zoning due to the area’s natural hydrology. This zoning restricts the types of uses in order to protect “life and property against the hazards of floods, erosion, and pollution,” and only requires permitting if buildings are intended for the area under this zoning.

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

2. Flood Zoning

~Alyssa Melnick~

A perennial stream crosses the property at the bottom of the western slope.

The first two hundred feet in either direction from its banks are established as a protected riverfront area under the Wetlands Protection Act. If any modifications to the land are intended within this sensitive wetland, including vegetation removal for trail building, a Notice of Intent must first be filed with the town of Amherst.

Conway School of Landscape Design

1. Riverfront Area

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

At least four ecological designations signal the richness and sensitivity of the land in and around 64 State Street, Amherst:

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

Ecological Context

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Wetland Regulations & Flood Zoning

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Existing Conditions

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• The turn-of-the-century farmhouse has its primary entrance on the south side, opening to the primary yard, which is dominated by eight mature trees. j 0’

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• The driveway passes the sweat lodge area l to the west, and then cuts through and divides the heart of the property in half, finally terminating in front of the red wooden barn m, separated by parking n from the other two buildings.

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• A relatively cleared trail o winds down the western slope to the conservation area; a second trail p leads down the northern slope and is well placed, but currently underused because it is very steep and overgrown with Japanese barberry.

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• The converted shed k serves as a pottery studio for Alyssa’s sons, Quintin and Miles, and is near the house, which together frame the central heart of the property

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332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

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~Alyssa Melnick~

• Overall Pattern: an upland clearing in the woods with many individual trees dotted throughout. The relatively flat, open area is encircled by a mixed hardwood conifer forest edge. Just beyond the treeline, the terrain steeply slopes down to south, west, and north, meeting the Mill River just across the property boundary.

Conway School of Landscape Design

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64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

OBSERVATIONS

OBSERVATIONS

• Patchy sun in center of property

• Dense shade dominates most of the clearing in woods

• Long shadows cover 95% of property

• Continuous bands of sun to west and northwest

• House and studio bathed in shade

• Midday and afternoon sun still available in western yard

• House, art studio, and barn roof receive full sun

• Sunny band in western yard only

• Patches of morning and midday sun in eastern yard

• Full shade and protection along treeline and in woods

• Patches of sun in eastern yard

• Part sun on south side of barn

DESIGN DIRECTIONS • Retain beneficial trees to southwest of house filtering hot afternoon sun • Site meditation garden and play are along cool, protected woodland edge • Intensive food production best situated in western yard

• South-facing roof of barn (and house somewhat) in full sun

DESIGN DIRECTIONS • Retain beneficial trees to southwest of house that diffuse hot afternoon sun and provide shade • Remove trees to southeast and south of house and studio to allow more light into windows and create sunny area for kitchen garden

DESIGN DIRECTIONS • Roof solar panels will be most successful installed on south-facing roof of barn, unless trees are removed in south yard, and then south-facing roof of house will be viable

2009

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

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OBSERVATIONS

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

OBSERVATIONS

Winter Solstice 9am-3pm

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

Summer Solstice 9am-3pm Fall/Spring Equinox 9am-3pm

~Alyssa Melnick~

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Conway School of Landscape Design

Images below show the composite shadows of 9 am, 12 noon, and 3 pm on the specified dates

Sun /Shade Analysis

IMPLICATIONS

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• Predominant use of the property occurs upslope, on flatter part of property, leaving sloped edges underutilized • Puddles cause wet feet and unusable portions of yard

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• Implement water management strategies such as catchment, re-grading, berms, and swales

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• Increase overall use of property by placing elements that are suited for slopes such as switchback trails or a zip-line for play • Minimize vegetation removal to reduce impact of new trails on erosive slopes

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mown lawn

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paved driveway

• Increase plant communities with fibrous, deep-rooting structure on slope to decrease erosive conditions

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• Slopes >15% on west and north edge are subject to erosion

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

• Area of 0-3% slopes in front of house cause puddles

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

• Overall Pattern: raised island, steeply sloping to south, west, and north, with a donut-hole depression in the center

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

OBSERVATIONS

~Alyssa Melnick~

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Conway School of Landscape Design

Slopes Analysis

Puddles

IMPLICATIONS • Long-lasting puddles form in areas of frequent use after rainstorms and cause wet feet and muddy yard

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Problematic Puddling*

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• Use off-site water flow and roof runoff as a resource to support goal of food production in sunny area with possible low infiltration • Create ways to capture and divert water that foster 1) sustainability, and 2) integration of goals

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• Water travels quickly down steep western slope and may not infiltrate soil at this sunny, potential site for food production

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

• Problematic puddling from sheet runoff, rooftops, and State Street collects at central low point (see section below*)

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

• Downspout channels roof runoff directly into south yard, where slope is 0-3%

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

OBSERVATIONS

~Alyssa Melnick~

Downspouts from northern roof go underground and deposit water downslope

Conway School of Landscape Design

Drainage Analysis

• Parking cuts through center of property

IMPLICATIONS • Alyssa and/or sons may not take full advantage of conservation area due to limited points of accessibility; 0

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DESIGN DIRECTIONS • Establish looping trail network that: 1) accesses full breadth of property 2) creates several nodes of connection with existing trails in conservation area

• Remove underused leg of driveway • Consider altering driveway in a manner that supports the goals of spaciousness and water management

• Ideal routes (reported by Alyssa) are currently inaccessible due to undergrowth, slope, and bramble • Underused part of driveway is impervious and limits activities and spatial flow at heart of property • Parking disrupts circulation flow

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• Cars infrequently use north leg of driveway

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

• Routes walked daily pass through south yard where puddles form

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

• Outskirts of property inaccessible for walking due to 1) thorny barberry, and undergrowth in woods, 2) steep slope, and 3) dense blackberry bramble to the southwest

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

• Only one path leads to Mill River Conservation Area

~Alyssa Melnick~

OBSERVATIONS

Conway School of Landscape Design

Access & Circulation Analysis

• Blackberry bramble on western slope

IMPLICATIONS • Large lawn consumes time and fuel and leads to air pollution • Trees to south of house block light • Foundation plantings may be damaging foundation and inhibiting air flow around house • Blackberry bramble impedes circulation on slope 0

Soil Analysis The soil type, Amostown sandy loam, is a moderately well drained soil with rapid permeability in the subsoil.

The seasonal high water table is at 1.5 to 3.0 feet.

These characteristics make the soil well suited to cultivate crops; rain and ground water can reach and irrigate roots without the risk of perched water causing saturation. In gently sloping areas, planting on contour and using covercrops is recommended to reduce erosion.

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Soil Test Results

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(ATTACHED) Western Yard Area Around House The current vegetable garden is in a suitable Soil testing reported extremely high lead levels location here based on the hours of sun and (1309 ppm) around house and studio. Green soil test results. The soil is low in lead and vegetables should not be planted here and play rich in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and area should be at least 20 feet away from magnesium. The organic matter is low and can lead zone (see Summary Analysis, sheet 10). be amended with the application of finished Nutrient levels are low to medium and organic compost and nitrogen-fixing cover crops-matter is low. Apply finished compost and which will also reduce erosion of the slope, organic mulch to increase levels for flower beds especially if beds are planted on contour or and fruit trees. A pH of 5.9 is slightly low, but terraced. in the desired range for herbs and flowers.

DESIGN DIRECTIONS • Reduce mown lawn with meadow, forbs, ground cover, and plantings • Remove key trees that limit feeling of spaciousness and block light • Remove and re-plant foundation plantings around house and barn • Increase edible plants • Create pathways through blackberry bramble for circulation and harvest

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• Foundation plantings around east, south, and north side of house

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

• Few edible plants

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

• Scattered trees in center of property

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

• Overall Pattern: island of mown grass surrounded by mixed hardwood conifer forest

~Alyssa Melnick~

OBSERVATIONS

Conway School of Landscape Design

Vegetation Analysis

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Dense canopy of mature trees on the south side of the house and encircling yard causes shade, limited view, and chilly microclimates.

• Erosive, steep slopes to the south, west, and north limit access to Mill River Conservation Area and use of the entire property.

• At night headlights pierce into the living room through the bay window.

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OPPORTUNITIES • Large area with 6 hours of sun (9 am-3 pm—time with most solar gain) from spring equinox to autumn equinox.

• Roof runoff from gutter downspout on south side of house is easily collected; runoff can be used as a resource for plants.

• One cleared trail and one unmaintained but well-sited trail connect to larger trail network in Mill River Conservation Area.

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Mature trees are resources to meet two goals:

1) create peaceful destinations (under the refuge of tall trees) 2) site potential play area (such as a tree house and/or zip line).

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gutter downspout.

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

Puddles form in areas of frequent use and daily walkways, partly an effect of roof runoff coming from

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

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332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

• Extremely high levels of lead surrounding the house & studio: green vegetables uptake lead and should not be grown in this zone.

~Alyssa Melnick~

CONSTRAINTS

Conway School of Landscape Design

Summary Analysis

Trees

The third alternative increases spaciousness and light to the extreme. All nine trees are removed from the east and south yards, giving the house open access to the street, yard, and morning to early afternoon sun. The loss of trees in these areas is compensated in other places of the property by planting new, mid-story trees. Lastly, alternative 3, with the elimination of the north leg of the driveway, creates even more spaciousness at the center of the property.

Schematic alternatives are used here as a tool to address one of Alyssa’s primary goals—to increase sunlight and spaciousness—by comparing and contrasting possible outcomes of tree removal. White is completely open space, while cross-hatching and grey tones are low objects in the landscape, and forms in black are taller mass (see Legend).

Beds

Meadow

Mown Grass

Hardscape

Buildings

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64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

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Legend

The second alternative proposes a middle ground where some key trees are removed around the house, while the tree line remains untouched. Also, elements (mass) are more evenly distributed around the property rather than grouped into areas, creating a balanced mosaic of elements and space around the property.

Alternative 3: Opening

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

Alternative 1 embraces the mass and shade of all of the nine trees around the house, and explores how to celebrate the conditions they naturally provide. Their overarching canopy and shade, along with their structural and vegetative features, become the architectural elements of an outdoor room. To balance leaving all of the trees in the center of the property, other trees along the western forest edge are removed, forming an embracing arc that allows more light and open space elsewhere.

Alternative 2: Balance

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

Alternative 1: Embrace

~Alyssa Melnick~

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Conway School of Landscape Design

Schematic Alternatives

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Alternative 1: Embrace

Alternative 2: Balance

Alternative 3: Opening

Alternative 1 embraces all of the existing trees around the house, their shade, and overarching structure. By using the trees’ architectural elements as framework for a new, outdoor room, people are also embraced in this alternative. By pulling the driveway out of the heart of the property and replacing it with a ring of evergreen shrubs, flowering perennials, and a rustic fence to keep Coco safe, a serene container emerges. In contrast to this outdoor green room, the western yard opens wide and allows unobstructed sunlight to reach a small arbor, raised patio with a vine-covered pergola, terraced vegetable garden, and lower level terrace with cob seating and fire pit.

Trails descend from the terrace steps, leading into the woods.

In Alternative 2, half of the trees around the house are removed, achieving a balance of morning light and afternoon shade for the house, studio, and new patio in a perennial garden. The increased light allows food production areas to be dispersed around the property: fruit and nut trees in front of the house; berries along the driveway; a vegetable garden west of the barn.

Brick walkways and openings between plants define paths of circulation. A screened-in porch encloses an outdoor area for family gathering and keeps Coco safe. Trees to the south of the barn are replaced by a wildflower meadow, bringing sunshine to a secret deck buffered by evergreen shrubs and allowing sun rays to reach rooftop solar panels on the barn.

All of the trees around the house and the north leg of the driveway are removed in Alternative 3, opening the central heart of the property with sunlight and a feeling of spaciousness. Two catalpa trees in the southwest of the yard provide afternoon shade for the circular deck off of the house. The sunken fire pit in the middle and potted herbs on the periphery make the deck a natural gathering place. Mown paths through a large swath of meadow sweeping around the new clearing lead to several destinations: a play area with a treehouse and zip-line down the north slope, a meditation garden under the Norway spruce, a food forest and a vegetable garden, and a walking meditation loop in a mass of ornamental trees encircling the sweat lodge.

KEY

j patio within existing perennial garden k fruit & nut trees in berm/swale on contour l blueberries & raspberries m vegetable garden n screened-in porch o wildflower meadow p secret deck q solar panels

j mown opening

k catalpa trees l deck with sunken fire pit & potted herbs m meadow with mown paths n play area with treehouse & zip-line o meditation garden under spruce p food forest & vegetable garden q walking meditation loop with ornamental trees

j foreshortened driveway k outdoor green room l arbor m vine-covered pergola on patio n terrace vegetable garden o lower level terrace w. cob seating & sunken fire pit

Embrace

Balance

In all three alternatives, water is managed by re-grading the central area and installing rainwater catchment at the gutter downspout.

Opening

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64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

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332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

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~Alyssa Melnick~

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Conway School of Landscape Design

Preliminary Design Alternatives

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gravel path

Increase Sunlight and Spaciousness

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Manage Water (see sheet 16 for details)

Bringing fill into the eastern yard creates a level terrace retained by a 2’-high stone wall to reduce upslope runoff from entering the central yard. A rainwater barrel captures roof runoff from the gutter downspout, which l stone is then used for watering kitchen and perennial gardens. garden path Overflow drains into a berm/swale on the edge of the terrace. Micrograding funnels water on the terrace to the mouth of a rocky swale, channeled downslope at a 2% grade towards the vegetable garden. Connected to the rocky swale, an overflow swale to the south both manages excess water in heavy rains and intercepts any driveway runoff that would otherwise head towards the barn foundation. The driveway is graded for positive drainage away from the yard. A small footprint remains of the original depression in the central yard, forming a rain garden by the locust tree to catch any lingering water.

berry bushes

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brick walk

berm & swale

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Unhealthy and declining trees are removed: two roadside maples, two scraggly apples, one crabapple, and one declining cherry. Increased sunlight, a feeling of spaciousness, and food production opportunities in the central yard are positive effects of strategic tree removal.

patio perennial garden

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rocky swale

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evergreen shrubs

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woven archway retaining rock wall

mouth of rocky swale

Incorporate Perennial Garden with Surroundings

The existing perennial garden q is re-shaped to follow the contour of the retaining wall. Edged by the brick path to the west and stone garden path to the east, the perennial garden provides beauty to passersby. A patio is nestled between the red maple and paper birch in the center of the garden.

terrace

overflow swale driveway

Keep Coco Safe from Street n

In addition to the beauty and the feeling of embrace that the outdoor living room offers, it also serves as a protective edge and visual barrier for Coco (along with the implementation of an electric fence). The driveway is removed from the central area, providing a safe, vehiclefree zone for Coco. In place of the impervious driveway, evergreen shrubs, free-standing and retaining stone walls, and a narrow threshold with a woven arch overhead form the sinuous edge of this container.

Increase Low-Maintenance Food Production

(see Planting Guide, sheet 17) With several trees removed, the amount of sunlight increases around the house and new food production opportunities arise. A forest garden o of fruit and nut trees, berry bushes (which also help to block intruding headlights), and edible perennials and groundcovers line the top of the retaining wall, and are irrigated by the adjacent swale. The kitchen garden p, consisting of potted culinary and medicinal herbs, is in proximity to the front door and spreads over four 1/2’-tall earthen steps that jet out from the retaining wall.

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k sturdy pea gravel paths connote utilitarian-use (to and from barn, garden, compost, etc.) l stone garden paths meander around the perimeter of the central heart area, paralleling the rocky swale, perennial garden, and retaining wall m slabs of Goshen stone serve as a bridge for crossing over rocky swale

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

A hierarchy of paths for varying uses loop around the central heart of the property and connect to functional and/or peaceful destinations: j brick paths define direct routes walked daily

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

mown paths

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

Create Looping Trails that Visit Peaceful Destinations

and goals that Alyssa holds dear. In this first phase of design implementation, the house, pottery studio, and barn are joined by clearly articulated paths and a shared central commons.

The outdoor, sunken living room--framed by vegetation, overarching trees, a retaining wall, and undulating rocky swale--provides a space in which family can gather, Coco is safe, food is abundant, and functionality is paired with aesthetic sensibility. The serpentine retaining wall echoes the form of the contour below, meadow allowing the history and natural beauty of the land to sing through the design changes.

~Alyssa Melnick~

DESIGN SUMMARY: “The Central Heart” embodies the union of the principles, practices,

Conway School of Landscape Design

Final Design Phase 1: The Central Heart

end of rocky swale sunken fire pit

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Create Looping Trails

memorial apple tree

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Phase 1 of Design Implementation

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grassy terrace

Visit Peaceful Destinations

Mown paths arrive at and loop through many peaceful destinations: m meditation garden with benches and shrine—a protected refuge created by a stone wall backing and Norway spruce branches overhead n a grassy terrace with stone retaining walls that form a sunken fire pit social area o a sun deck with a passionflower-covered pergola, breakfast table, and chairs p a walking meditation loop around the fenced-in sweat lodge area, ringed by ornamental trees

Lawn is reduced and replaced with a wildflower meadow (west and north of house) that defines the western edge of the central area.

The gravel and stone paths in the outdoor living room transition into mown paths blazing through tall grasses. The paths circle buildings, loop around the perimeter of the central heart area, meander alongside terrace walls, encircle the entire property, and connect with trails in the Mill River Conservation Area.

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old well

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Seek Opportunities for Sustainability q A cost-benefit analysis is recommended for photovoltaic

walking meditation loop

potential. If this form of renewable energy meets Alyssa’s needs and is appropriate for the site conditions, the best location for roof solar panels is on the south side of the barn roof. r Harnessing geothermal energy may be a possibility at the old well. Consult a specialist to research feasibility and cost. s The water collected into the rocky swale irrigates vegetable beds downslope where it is caught and infiltrated by bermed terrace steps (see Water Management, sheet 16).

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mown paths

sun deck w. pergola

trail to Conservation Area

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meadow

wildflower meadow

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

wildflower meadow

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

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meditation garden

~Alyssa Melnick~

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trail to Conservation Area

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

blackberry patch

play area

System” creates looping trails and connects elements that are designed to meet project goals. Very much like the human circulation system with the heart at its core, arteries radiate out from the center and pass through many parts that make up the body of the property. A network of mown paths travel through a sunny, open meadow and arrive at key destinations: a play area in the woods, a peaceful meditation garden, a sunny deck with a vine-covered pergola, a productive vegetable garden, a sunken fire pit, and a series of walled terraces. Three trails head into the woods and off property where they unite with the larger trail network in the Mill River Conservation Area, through which the Recreation Area, swimming at Puffer’s Pond, and the 35 mile expanse of wooded hiking trails can be accessed by foot directly from 64 State Street.

Conway School of Landscape Design

The play area j for Quintin, Miles, and friends runs along the northern trail where a zip-line whooshes downhill from atop a tree house just north of the forest edge, safely away from the lead zone.

The vegetable garden k cups the edge of the terrace whose form echoes the contour line below. The beds, planted on bermed terrace steps to reduce erosion and capture water from the swale uphill, receive at least 6 hours of sun daily during trail to the growing season.

Conservation Area The compost bin l is located C outside the rabbit-proof fence, opposite the mown path. k Additionally, a cleared trail vegetable garden passes through the blackberry stone retaining wall bramble to permit access compost around for berry harvesting l terrace edge and passage to the southern slope.

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DESIGN SUMMARY: In the second phase of design implementation, “The Circulation

Site Play Area

Increase Low-Maintenance Food Production

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Phase 2: The Circulation System

State Street

Section C-C’: Western Yard (NTS) path to woods stairs step terrace vegetable garden

retaining wall

mown path sunken mown deck w. aromatic in meadow fire pit terrce vine-covered pergola 2’ retaining wall

barn snow plow swale driveway

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turf terrace with raspberry bush

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

brick peren. patio in perennial garden walk gardn

Conway School of Landscape Design

2’ retaining wall swale

turf w. rain garden turf redbud

stone path

meadow memorial apple tree

gravel path

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

Section B-B’: Central Heart (NTS)

~Alyssa Melnick~

Conceptual Sections

Fall

2009

Water Management Details Drainage Diagram:

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

http://api.ning.com/files/F0AktKCXSYDwWddPO00fkzSc4kA7tWVUPnzvUs eOzJ7dNza1QmSgAdm0SJjoL9a-Iste0rBAwHgYS2-e-wPL-KHxOWlKy*yy/ RollOuttheBarrel.jpg 12.14.09

k ROCKY SWALE (B) j BERM & SWALE

sheet Mollison, Bill. Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual. Tagari Publications: Tyagum, Australia: 1988. p. 337.

0

Mollison, Bill. Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual. Tagari Publications: Tyagum, Austraiia: 1988. p. 167.

5’

10’

15’

30’

31

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Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

(A)

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

http://mulrich121.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/rain-garden-sketch1.jpg 12.14.09

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

~Alyssa Melnick~

m RAIN BARREL

Conway School of Landscape Design

l RAIN GARDEN

The new drainage pattern is the result of added fill and micrograding in key areas. A two-foot-high retaining wall creates a level eastern yard. A berm and swale j on contour run along the upper side of the wall to catch runoff from State Street. Micrograding funnels water into mouth (A) of 3 foot rocky swale k , which then diverts it downslope to irrigate vegetable garden. The uneven ground of the new “sunken outdoor room” is filled, leveled, and micrograded to bring water into the swale. A small footprint of the original depression remains, forming a rain garden l by the locust tree to catch any lingering water. The new driveway is graded so that water flows away from central yard. A one foot swale runs alongside driveway (B), serving as an overflow channel for the rocky swale and catching excess driveway runoff to protect the barn foundation. A rain barrel m collects roof runoff from gutter downspout and is used to water perennial and kitchen gardens.

SBY

(D)

(A)

(E)

AOL

GHG in rocky swale PSF on pergola

(A)

RSP BLU PCH

BLK

APL

INK

PRS

HZL

SDA NTL & GMI

T: inkberries & daphnes

ASB WNT PP

KITCHEN GARDEN (in pots) Melissa officinalis ** Pycnantheumum spp.* Hypercum perforitum** Allium vineale*** Allium spp.*

Ocimum basilicum*** Rosmarinus officinalis ***

lemonbalm mountain mint St. John’s wort field garlic onions basil rosemary

WILDFLOWER MEADOW Schizachyrium scoparium Sorghastrum nutans Chasmanthium latifolium* Rudbeckia hirta Baptisia australis** Lobelia cardinalis**

T: mountain laurels & yews mixed MAG, ELD, & DOG

PLANTING PLAN SUMMARY:

0

5’

10’

15’

little bluestem Indian grass northern sea oats black-eyed Susan blue false Iidigo cardinal flower

30’

Native perennials with a few exceptions form the plant palette of this low-maintenance landscape. Plants are appropriate for the site’s soil, sun/shade distribution, hardiness zone, and microclimates. The plant palette is arranged by thematic groups: forest garden, perennial beds, rain garden, kitchen garden, wildflower meadow, and other. Within relevant groups, edible and medicinal qualities are starred and seasonal interest and harvest time are noted. The new vegetation is designed so that crop yield and color will rotate through out the growing season, with plants in the first phase of the final design installed initially, followed by phase two.

Asimina triloba* Amelanchier laevis* Malus domestica Diosporos virginiana* Prunus domestica* Prunus persica* Eleagenus umbellata*** Hippophae rhamnoides*** Corylus americana* Rubus idaeus*** Vaccinium corymbosum* Fragaria vesca*** Eleagnus multiflora*** Laportea canadensis***

paw paw Sept/Oct Alleghney serviceberry June semi-dwarf apple Fall persimmon Fall American plum August peach August Autumn olive September seaberry Summer American hazelnut Fall raspberry Summer highbush blueberry July strawberries Summer goumi Summer wood nettle Summer/Fall

2009

PERENNIAL BEDS (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (B) (C) (D)

Echinacea purpurea** Geranium sp.

Viola labradorica* Nasturtium officinale*** Hydrangea quercifolia Tiarella cordifolia ** Stewartia malacodendron Sanguinaria canadensis* Podophyllum peltatum***

purple coneflower geranium ‘rozanne’ American dog violet nasturtium oakleaf hydrangea heartleaf foamflower silky stewartia bloodroot mayapple

April-Sept March-July April-June April-Oct Summer-Jan Spring Spring Spring Aug fruits

Athyrium felix-femina Adiantum pedatum Polemonium reptans** Maianthemum trifolium** Stylophorum diphyllum** Conoclinium coelestinum Asarum canadense***

lady fern northern maidenhair fern Jacob’s ladder Soloman’s seal celandine poppy mist flower wild ginger

Spring-Fall Spring-Fall Spring Late Spring Spr-Summer Fall Spring

Magnolia virginiana Sambucus canadensis*** Cornus florida

Passiflora incarnata*** Ilex glabra Hakonechloa macra Rubus fruticosis

sweet bay magnolia elderberry flowering dogwood passionflower inkberry golden Hakone grass blackberries

RAIN GARDEN (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) (E) OTHER

MAG ELD DOG PSF INK GHG BLK

KEY

Apr-July Summer Spring Summer Wnt/Evg Summer Summer

*Edible ** Medicinal ***Edible & Medicinal T= Transplant from foundations

sheet

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Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

STR

PP ASB SDA PRS APL PCH AOL SBY HZL RSP BLU STR GMI NTL

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

T: lilacs & azaleas

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

(C)

(B)

Seasonal Interest/ Harvest Time for Edibles

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

Code Botanical Name Common Name

FOREST GARDEN

~Alyssa Melnick~

(see planting list below)

Conway School of Landscape Design

wildflower meadow mix

Fall

Planting Plan

2009

~Alyssa Melnick~

64 State Street Amherst, MA 01002

Fall

Materials & Design Precedents

Blomgren, Paige. Making Paths & Walkways: Lark Books: Asheville, NC, 1999.

pea gravel path with brick edges

sunken fire pit

Blomgren, Paige. Making Paths & Walkways: Lark Books: Asheville, NC,

woven cedar archway

sheet http://www.originalgoshenstone.com/html/gwfalmouth.html

Goshen stone garden terrace

http://www.verbenadesign.com/images/Completed_Rain_Garden.JPG

rain garden edged with rock

Blomgren, Paige. Making Paths & Walkways: Lark Books: Asheville, NC, 1999.

mulch path through woods

35

of 18

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.

http://www.originalgoshenstone.com/html/lee_bell_31.html

Abrah Jordan Dresdale

332 S. Deerfield Rd. Conway, MA 01341 413.369.4044 www.csld.edu

Goshen stone retaining wall

Conway School of Landscape Design

http://www.originalgoshenstone.com/html/bill_parker_5.html