Landscape Wayfinding
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright The Conway School | Spring 2012
In 2011, the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health established a relationship with the Conway School, which focuses on sustainable landscape design projects and the connections between people and nature. This project, the fourth commissioned by the Kripalu Center, focuses primarily on wayfinding and connectivity around the property. This project builds upon the work of the three previous projects, described below. PAST CONWAY PROJECTS AT KRIPALU
INDEX Past Projects Site Context, Land Use History, & Project Goals Wayfinding and Safety Overview Existing Wayfinding Conditions
1 2 3 4
Focus Area: East Drive Design Concepts: East Drive
5 6
Focus Area: Main Building & Parking Lots Design Concepts: Main Entrance & Parking Design Concepts: Parking to Main Building Connections
7 8 9
Focus Area: South Lawn Design Concepts: Chakra Path to Lake & Labyrinth Design Concepts: Labyrinth Trail to New Road Crossing
10 11 12
Focus Area: Trail System Design Concepts: Eastern Trails Design Concepts: Lakeside Trails Sustainable Trail Principles, Materials, & Maintenance
13 14 15 16
Written in the winter of 2011, Landscape Resilience is a handbook for Kripalu staff, leadership, major stakeholders, and collaborative partners to use as they evaluate and plan a resilient and sustainable future for the Center. It provides an overview of the cultural, ecological, and philosophical patterns that have formed the Kripalu landscape through time. A set of master principles are drawn from overarching concepts, such as future environmental challenges, yogic philosophy, and landscape ecology theory to help guide design decisions and projects and expand Kripalu’s role as a holistic educator through a more ecologically balanced existence on the land. In the spring of 2011, a second Conway team applied the master principles to specific challenges in Kripalu’s landscape. This Landscape Master Plan primarily analyzed vehicular access and circulation on the property, along with pedestrian circulation, views, drainage, and vegetation. A range of alternatives for the arrival process and parking were suggested, along with vegetation schemes across the property.
In the winter of 2012, the Landscape Management Plan was developed as an assessment of the management regime across the whole property. It made recommendations for new management zones. Recommendations address issues of ecology, water quality, allocation of resources, opportunities for greater education on the landscape, and improved wayfinding elements.
Through a comprehensive landscape management plan, Kripalu can move its property towards greater ecological resiliency. This report provides recommendations to bring Kripalu’s landscape management in line with its
Final Design Alternative 1 Final Design Alternative 2
17 18
Sign Types Proposed Sign Locations & Non-Sign Alternatives Pathway & Arrival Precedents Photo Credits & References
19 20 21 22
mission of fostering the welfare of the whole. The recommendations address current management practices, as well as looking at how a system of management zones can be applied to patterns across the site, now and into the future.
Kripalu
center for yoga & health
The Conway School is the only institution of its kind in North America. Its focus is sustainable landscape planning and design. Each year, through its accredited, ten-month graduate program just eighteen to nineteen students from diverse backgrounds are immersed in a range of applied landscape studies, ranging in scale from residences to regions. Graduates go on to play significant professional roles in various aspects of landscape planning and design.
LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN THE CONWAY SCHOOL • WINTER 2012 SHANA HOSTETTER & KATRINA MANIS
This current project, Landscape Wayfinding, builds upon the recommendations of the three previous projects, with a focus on how staff and guests can move more safely and seamlessly across the property, while creating minimal impact on the landscape and improving the overall quality of visitor experience.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Index & Past Projects
1/22
The mission of the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is to teach the art and science of yoga to produce thriving and health in individuals and society. Kripalu’s complex land use history has created a rich outdoor experience for guests, but measures are needed to improve guests’ ability to navigate safely and comfortably around the property. This project aims to help Kripalu staff and administrators to better align the Center’s values and stewardship ethic with landscape wayfinding.
Berkshire Natural Resource Council
Tanglewood Richmond Mountain Road Site of former Shadowbrook Mansion
Tanglewood
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AN INHERITED LANDSCAPE
PROJECT GOALS
Originally a large private estate and then a Jesuit seminary, the Kripalu Center’s 125-acre property has a rich land use history, which affects visitor experience today. As the largest residential yoga and wellness center in the United States, Kripalu receives over 30,000 visitors per year. However, its infrastructure and landscape features were never designed to accommodate such a large influx of people, nor provide many of the functions that Kripalu guests expect.
Provide design solutions for wayfinding, safety, and connectivity to improve Kripalu guests’ experiences of the landscape.
Many users find connecting with the natural world to be part of their spiritual practices, whether through walking, jogging, hiking, swimming, or simply finding a quiet place for silent meditation. Kripalu’s landscape affords many places for such connection with the natural world, but a lack of wayfinding elements, such as clearly delineated pathways, signs, and landscape cues, make it difficult for guests to safely and confidently traverse the property.
• Provide recommendations for addressing wayfinding challenges.
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Gould’s Meadow
Berkshire Country Day School
• Analyze existing pathways around the property to identify areas where wayfinding might be improved. • Address connections between destinations across the property. • Present a set of principles for sustainable and effective pathway design.
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Stockbridge Bowl
The 125-acre property is located on the northeastern side of Yokun Ridge, overlooking the beautiful Stockbridge Bowl (Lake Mahkeenac). It is bordered by private property, including the Berkshire Country Day School and Tanglewood. Trails connect Kripalu guests to off-property trail systems.
Visitors must contend with steep slopes, insufficient pathways to and from the building and to natural and historical features, dangerous road crossings, and a lack of directional cues around the property. Guests can become confused, lost, or put in harm’s way. The Kripalu Center would like to honor its inherited landscape while improving wayfinding across the property; from arrival in a car to exploration on foot.
The main building at the Kripalu Center was built by a group of Jesuits in the 1950s. The lack of connections between the building and points of interest outdoors can negatively influence the quality of guest experience.
The original Shadowbrook Estate was built in the late 19th century. The landscape was manipulated extensively, including the clearing of trees, blasting of bedrock, and regrading of the land, and features such as the mansion and the East Drive were built. This land use history impacts guest experience today.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
The retaining wall of the old mansion foundation is a well-loved destination for Kripalu staff and guests. It is a relic from the original Shadowbrook Estate. Trails lead guests to this historical feature, but directional and interpretive information is lacking.
Site Context, Land Use History, & Project Goals
2/22
As a private estate and then a seminary housing a few hundred people, the landscape and infrastructure were never designed to accommodate Kripalu’s over 1,000 visitors per week. In addition, a lack of wayfinding measures make it very difficult for first-time guests to make sense of the layout of the property and to find their way around. OVERVIEW OF WAYFINDING & SAFETY CHALLENGES AT THE KRIPALU CENTER
WHAT IS WAYFINDING?
Wayfinding is the ability of people to find their way through an environment and to get from one location to another.
• Guest confusion due to the lack of signs and directional cues at intersections.
Successful design of wayfinding systems allows people to:
• Lack of connections between trails, pathways, buildings, and destinations.
1. determine their location within a setting; 2. determine their destination; 3. develop a plan to take them from their location to their destination; and 4. execute the plan and negotiate any required changes (IDeA).
• Steep slopes that are difficult for pedestrians to traverse.
• Inaccurate map of trails that confuses guests trying to navigate the property. • Unsafe trail and road crossings for pedestrians. • Unsafe conditions for pedestrians in parking lots and driveways.
The map distributed by the Kripalu Center is not up-to-date and many guests get lost. The map also directs guests toward potentially unsafe road crossings along the East and South Drives and Route 183 (Source: Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health).
Legend
Few signs on the property direct new visitors. At this 4-way intersection to the east of the Main Building, it is unclear whether visitors should turn left or right to find parking, or to proceed to the Main Entrance. This confusion and uncertainty can negatively impact guest experience and result in potentially dangerous situations for both drivers and pedestrians.
0 - 2%
Kripalu’s built features and trails lack adequate wayfinding cues, causing Kripalu’s visitors to become lost.
2 - 4% 4 - 6% 6 - 8% 8 - 10% 10 - 15% 15 - 25%
Maps, signs, clear directions, and staff support guests inside the building, but such resources are lacking outside the building, creating guest confusion and stress.
One of very few signs on the property, this sign directs drivers to the lower parking area if they are coming up the South Drive (left), but there is a lack information for drivers coming from the other direction (right).
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Nearly one-third of the property has slopes exceeding 10 %. This poses many challenges for guest and staff movement from the parking lots to the building, and across most of the property. There are practically no universally accessible trails on the property, and many paths are too steep to be used safely and comfortably (Source: MassGIS).
Wayfinding & Safety Overview
3/22
First-time guests at Kripalu often have difficulties navigating their way around the property: from arrival to building, from building to parking, from parking back to building, from building to points of interest around the property, and from one point of interest to the next. GUEST ARRIVAL, WAYFINDING, AND MOVEMENT
Upper Parking Lots
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Lower Parking Lots
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Main
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East Drive
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1 The half-mile East Drive is used by most
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2 The South Drive is a secondary entrance
Route 183
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guests as the entrance to the property. The speed limit is posted at 15 mph. Many guests also enjoy walking and jogging on this scenic road, as it is the flattest pathway on the property.
North Gate Entrance
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Stockbridge Bowl
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
0 400
800
1600
FEET
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4 After parking temporarily near the Main
Entrance, drivers proceed to either the lower or upper parking lots. In both lots guests contend with steep slopes and a lack of adequate parking spaces, pathways, and crosswalks. East of the upper lots is the unmarked North Gate Entrance used by some staff.
to the property and offers a full view of the building. Its intersection with Route 5 The Front Entrance offers views of the Stockbridge Bowl and outdoor seating on 183, a state road, is a dangerous curve with the terrace, but lacks adequate indicators for compromised sightlines for and visibility of where guests might go from there into the pedestrians crossing to the lake. The speed landscape. This entrance is not currently of cars (posted at 40 mph) often exceeds 50 universally accessible. mph. The 2 to 3% grade of the road where it meets Route 183, followed by the steep slope up the curve, creates a dangerous 6 The South Lawn is 20 acres, 5 of which have been converted to native meadow, and 2 of situation for winter drivers who can lose which are actively being returned to forest. control of their vehicles. Slopes on the South Lawn range from 6 to 15%. The most direct routes from the front 3 The Main Entrance to the Shadowbrook entrance to key destinations, such as the building is located at the back of the labyrinth and the lake, are down steep slopes. building, where there is a small turnNo formal paths guide visitors easily down around for cars. Temporary parking spaces the South Lawn. are available for unloading luggage and for registration, though space is limited. Indicators of where to go from the Main 7 Roughly two miles of trails around the property direct visitors to historical ruins, Entrance are lacking. This is currently the meditation areas, and other destinations for only universally accessible entrance for walking and running. These trails lack proper guests into the main building. signs and connections to each other, and some cross busy roads or intersect with onproperty driveways or parking areas.
Existing Wayfinding Conditions
4/22
The East Drive is a beautiful, winding half-mile road. Part of the original Shadowbrook Estate, today the East Drive is still the main entryway into Kripalu. Many guests enjoy walking, running, and socializing on the East Drive, as it is one of the few flat pathways on the property and has views of some of the historical features. This twoway road can pose safety risks for guests walking in the road or those crossing over the drive from one trail to the next. The eastern part of the property is bisected by the East Drive, which divides the existing trail system.
20 feet wide
A The East Drive is currently listed as a walking trail on Kripalu’s map of Grounds and Walking Trails. While a beautiful, scenic walk, there are potential safety risks due to vehicles and people using the same space. Rich Main
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OBSERVATIONS
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• The East Drive is a two-way 2,686-foot-long paved road and is the main entryway into Kripalu. The trail system in the eastern part of the property is bisected by the East Drive, prompting guests to travel over the East Drive to connect to points of interest.
East Gate Entrance
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• The speed limit on the road is 15 mph, but cars often exceed this limit. Sightlines may be reduced due to curves in the road and no signs or safety measures currently alert drivers to pedestrians.
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• Guests enjoy using the East Drive for its flat, smooth surface, its proximity to the Main Building, and the many historical and scenic features that can be viewed from the drive. The existing map of walking trails highlights the East Drive as a desirable walking route for guests.
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Legend East Drive Existing Trails
IMPLICATIONS • The multi-functionality of the East Drive as a two-way road, a pedestrian walkway, and a thoroughfare between trails creates a potentially dangerous situation for guests.
DESIGN DIRECTIVES FOR WAYFINDING • Safely separate vehicles and pedestrians on the East Drive, or convert the East Drive into a pedestrian parkway with minimal vehicular access (see Sheet 6). 0 400 Stockbridge Bowl
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
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1600
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• Redesign trails to form loops that do not cross the East Drive (see Sheet 14). • Create safe, formal crosswalks and employ safety measures such as signs and differentiated road surfaces to alert drivers to pedestrian trail crossings (see Sheets 19 & 20).
Focus Area: East Drive
5/22
These design concepts explore ways to improve safety on the East Drive by separating cars and people, thereby fulfilling the desire of many guests to continue to be able to walk on a flat, comfortable surface and access many historical features on the property. East Drive Remains the Same, Sidewalk Added
East Drive Narrowed, Vegetated Median and Pedestrian Pathway Added
No Change to the East Drive, Universally Accessible Trail Created
East Drive Closed to Vehicles, Pedestrian Parkway Created
Flowers and trees
Driveway remains
Driveway narrowed to 16 feet wide
20 feet wide
Accessible trail south of the East Drive
3-foot wide vegetated median
4-foot wide
Driveway remains 20 feet wide, no vehicles
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5-foot wide central pathway
4-foot wide sidewalk
sidewalk
NOT TO SCALE
Pros:
Pros:
Pros:
• Reduced pedestrian and vehicle conflicts.
• Traffic speeds are reduced, which lowers the risk of pedestrian • Reduced risk of pedestrian and automobile conflicts. and automobile conflicts. • Easiest to implement with minimal changes to East Drive. • Some existing trails can be used to make the universally • Pedestrians have a physical buffer from cars which makes it accessible trail. • Smooth, flat surface provides a safe, universally accessible safer for them to walk. path. • Guests of all abilities are invited into the landscape.
Cons: • Pedestrians may still walk on the East Drive. • Adding impervious material to the entire length of the drive may be costly and could negatively impact the landscape. • Requires additional winter maintenance. • May require the removal of some trees.
• Smooth, flat surface provides a safe, universally accessible path.
Cons: • Narrowed lanes may increase risk of automobile accidents.
Pros: • No risk of guest/automobile conflicts. • Smooth, flat surface provides a safe, universally accessible path. • No additional winter maintenance would be necessary.
• A permeable, accessible surface may be less expensive than • Entry to the property, now at the South Drive, may be installing new pavement or concrete, and will infiltrate more easier for guests to find and provides a greater sense of stormwater than impervious surfaces. arrival with the main building in full view.
Cons:
• Vegetated buffer may be expensive to install and maintain.
• Pedestrians may still use the East Drive out of habit.
• Adding impervious material to the entire length of the drive may be costly and could negatively impact the landscape.
• Substantial grading may be required to build a trail along contours.
Cons:
• Increased traffic on the South Drive may create more conflicts with pedestrians.
• Requires additional winter maintenance.
• Traffic jams and bottlenecking may occur at peak times with just one entrance to the property.
• May require the removal of some trees.
• Plantings may be expensive to install and maintain.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Design Concepts: East Drive
6/22
The arrival process is currently a wayfinding challenge for many guests trying to navigate to and from the main building and parking lots. In addition, the main building lacks clear sightlines to points of interest and lacks sufficient information and pathways to assist guests in navigating to their desired destinations across the property. For first-time guests, arrival can be a very confusing and disorienting process. Arrive on the East or South Drive
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Upper Parking Lots
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Proceed to the Main Entrance
Unload bags and register at the Main Desk
Park Temporarily Outside the Main Entrance
Main Entrance
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Walk back to building
Move vehicle to overnight parking
Temporary Parking Spaces
Navigate to outdoor destinations
From East Drive
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CURRENT ARRIVAL SEQUENCE AT KRIPALU
To Main Entrance
Main Entrance Sign
To Upper Parking Lots
To Main Entrance
A Lower Parking Lots
F E
Main Building
Most guests arrive from the East Drive. A 4-way intersection before the Main Entrance lacks indicators for whether to park first or head to the Main Entrance, located behind the building and invisible from both the East and South Drives.
Legend
Sidewalk to Front Entrance
Main Entrance Staff Entrance
The lower lots have sidewalks leading up to the South Drive, but they can become dangerous and inaccessible in the winter.
Front Entrance
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South Lawn
Upper Parking Lots Lower Parking Lots
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OBSERVATIONS • Signs and directional cues to direct drivers to the Main Entrance are lacking.
• First-time guests do not know whether to first proceed to the Main Entrance or head to overnight parking.
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East Drive
Sidewalk
IMPLICATIONS
The confluence of cars, people, and service vehicles creates a confusing and chaotic situation at the Main Entrance. Insufficient temporary parking for registration frequently causes bottlenecking.
No crosswalk to sidewalk
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• Visitors are often disoriented when approaching the building and may be unable to find the Main Entrance.
The connection from the lower parking lots to the front entrance is impaired by the guardrail and the indirect path to the adjacent sidewalk. No signs or crosswalks alert drivers to pedestrians.
To Upper Lots
Visitors navigate to the upper or lower parking lots. The upper lot has challenging slopes and lacks sidewalks and stairs to safely guide guests and staff through the lots and down two-way drives to the Main Entrance.
To Main Entrance
F
Northwest of the lower lot, the sidewalk ends at the South Drive. Guests must walk up the two-way road to get to the Main Entrance.
No sidewalk on either side
DESIGN DIRECTIVES FOR WAYFINDING
• Major traffic jams at the Main Entrance cause frustration and delays.
• Consider moving the Main Entrance to a more visible location that is easy to find and creates a sense of arrival. Provide clear directional cues to guide guests through the arrival sequence (see Sheet 20).
• The Main Entrance is at the rear of the building and is invisible from both entrance drives. Temporary parking spaces are limited.
• Disoriented drivers and pedestrians may lead to accidents. Pedestrians walking in parking lots and on roads are particularly at risk.
• Simplify the parking process by separating staff and guest parking and providing directional cues to safely guide drivers to them (see Sheet 8).
• Directional cues to parking from the Main Entrance are lacking.
• Many pedestrians have difficulties navigating the steep slopes in the parking lots, often with luggage in tow.
• Create pathways, including stairs and sidewalks, to assist guests with steep slopes in the parking lots and to guide them safely to the building (see Sheet 9). Include safety measures, such as crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signs, to alert drivers to pedestrians (see Sheet 19).
• There is no distinction between guest and staff parking and it is unclear which lots visitors should park in.
• The parking lots and the main building are separated by 25% slopes. • The lower lot has sidewalks, while the upper lot has none, and both lots lack safe and logical connectivity to the entrances of the building. Guests walk along twoway driveways and roads to access the building.
• Without directional cues or sightlines, guests may be prevented or deterred from going out to points of interest on the landscape. If they do attempt to access points of interest, there are potential safety risks from walking through parking lots and across roads.
• The Main Entrance lacks directional cues to guide guests to points of interest around the property. Few points of interest are visible from the Main Entrance.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
• Provide trail and pathway information at the Front and Main Entrances (see Sheets 19 & 20). • Consider providing universal accessibility at the Front Entrance and improving connections from the Front Entrance down to the South Lawn and trails (see Sheet 9).
Focus Area: Main Building & Parking Lots
7/22
These conceptual alternatives explore different solutions for connectivity, slopes, and safety issues around the Main Entrance location and use of the parking lots. These ideas for infrastructural changes could be incorporated by the Kripalu Center into the final design alternatives (see Sheets 17 & 18). Main Entrance Location The Kripalu administration is considering moving the Main Entrance to the building. The current Staff Entrance and the current Front Entrance are leading candidates for the new location. Both options have their merits and challenges.
Parking Lot Designation Designating separate parking for staff and guests can help improve wayfinding for all visitors. In addition, improved connections between the parking lots and the building must be made (see Sheet 9).
OPTION A Current Main Entrance becomes Staff-Only Entrance. Front Entrance becomes the new Main Entrance.
Upper Parking Lots
Main Lower Parking Lots
• Logical entrance for staff if upper parking lots become staff-only lots
Legend
New Main Sidewalk to Entrance Front Entrance
Main Entrance Staff Entrance Upper Parking Lots
Cons
South Lawn 0
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Main
Exclusive Guest Parking
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Sidewalk to Front Entrance
New Main Entrance
Cons
Main Entrance Staff Entrance Upper Parking Lots Lower Parking Lots
• May negatively impact quiet guest experience on the front terrace
N
• Staff could use the North Gate Entrance and reduce pressure on the East and South Drives
Build
Legend
• Front Entrance cannot be seen from the East Drive
Lower Parking Lots
• All staff know to go to one parking area • Less confusion for guests
• Front Entrance is more prominent from the South Drive ing
Pros
Exclusive Staff Parking
New Staff Entrance
• Reduces confusion and traffic at the current main entrance circle Build
The upper lots become exclusively for staff parking. 50 new parking spaces accommodate all staff.
Orchard
Pros
Staff Entrances
OPTION A North Gate Entrance
50 New Staff Parking Spaces
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• Need to create a new lot • Would lose some trees in the orchard • Four-way intersection east of the main building may need to be altered to encourage guests to go to the lower lots
• An accessible ramp would need to be built at the Front Entrance
OPTION B Current Main Entrance becomes Staff-Only Entrance. Current Staff Entrance becomes the New Main Entrance.
Upper Parking Lots
Pros
New Staff Entrance
• Reduces confusion and traffic at the circle near the current main entrance
Main Bu
Lower Parking Lots
ilding Legend
Cons
Main Entrance
Sidewalk to Front Entrance
Front Entrance Upper Parking Lots Lower Parking Lots
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Main
Guest Parking
All parking spaces north of building become exclusively staff parking. All parking spaces south of building become exclusively guest parking.
Pros • All staff know to go to one area, guests to another
Staff Parking
• Less confusion for visitors Build
• Staff could use the North Gate Entrance and reduce pressure on the East and South Drives
ing Legend
• Requires building a new registration area
Staff Entrance
South Lawn
Staff Entrances
• More visible from the East Drive than the current entrance
New Main Entrance
OPTION B
North Gate Entrance
• Not an intuitive entrance from the South Drive • Traffic jams may occur at this narrow entryway
Sidewalk to Front Entrance South Lawn
Main Entrance Staff Entrances Upper Parking Lots Lower Parking Lots
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• Accessible parking spots available for both guests and staff in respective lots • A new lot would not need to be created for staff
Cons • Directional cues may be needed to encourage guests to go the lower lots • Front entrance would need an accessible ramp and more accessible parking spaces
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Design Concepts: Main Entrance & Parking
8/22
Elements such as sidewalks, ramps, stairs, crosswalks, and appropriate signs can assist visitors in navigating safely, efficiently, and comfortably between the parking lots and the building, and from the building to other outdoor destinations. 50 new parking spaces for staff Trail connection to Monk’s Pond
Upper Parking Lots
New stairs to Upper Parking Lots New sidewalk to rear entrance
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Rerouted sidewalk to front entrance
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D Main
New stairs to Lower Parking Lots
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South Lawn
A staircase enables two-way pedestrian movement between the tiers of the lower parking lots, reducing potential conflicts between cars and people and reducing winter maintenance of the existing sidewalks. A ramp enables guests to roll their luggage up and down.
Improved connections to pathways and trails
Build
Improved connection from front entrance terrace to South Lawn
Lower Parking Lots
Existing steep slopes in the lower parking lot restrict pedestrian movement between the lot and the building.
New sidewalk to rear entrance
New centralized trailheads
A Improved connections to pathways and trails
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Feet
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C An unsafe and unclear crossing hinders movement between the lower parking lots and the main building.
Safety measures like crosswalks and regulatory signs alert drivers to a pedestrian crossing. An accessible path guides pedestrians up to the main building.
A hill of greater than 25% slope restricts direct pedestrian access to the upper lots from the Main Entrance. Staff and guests must currently walk through busy driveways and lots.
A stair from the Main Entrance to the upper parking lots provides a safer and more direct connection between them.
Main Entrance
Front Entrance
A There is currently no connection between the Front Entrance and points of interest on the property. Directional cues are entirely lacking.
A universally accessible ramp guides guests down from the Front Entrance to a centralized trailhead. There, guests can learn about attractions on the property and how to get to them, and are led from the trailhead to those destinations.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
E No safe pathway guides guests or staff from the lower parking lots to the Main Entrance or points nearby, forcing them to walk in the road.
A sidewalk safely and logically connects guests and staff from the lower parking lots to the Main Entrance, and all areas in between.
Design Concepts: Parking to Main Building Connections
9/22
The South Lawn is a 20-acre lawn south of the Main Building. Five acres south of the South Drive have recently been converted to meadow, two acres along the eastern edge are being converted back to forest, and the rest are currently mowed weekly. Many enjoy sitting out on the lawn, but the steep grade and lack of pathways make it a barrier for many guests who would like to visit points of interest around the property. The South Lawn ends at the dangerous intersection of Route 183 and the South Drive, which is currently the only access point to the Stockbridge Bowl.
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To Main Building
A Main
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A comfortable grade for walking is 5%. The South Lawn has slopes from 6 to 15%, without any pathways to comfortably and logically guide visitors to points of interest.
Build
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To Lake
B The Labyrinth is considered by staff and guests to be a favorite place on the property. However, it is not visible from the Front Entrance due to the steep slope of the lawn. Navigating to the labyrinth can be a confusing and uncomfortable walk, especially for those with mobility challenges.
South Lawn
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Trees reduce sightlines
C
Labyrinth
Pedestrian crossing
Intersection at the South Drive and Route 183 Orchard
South Lawn
South Drive
Route 183
Stockbridge Bowl
A
Lake Trail
0
Stockbridge Bowl
OBSERVATIONS • The South Lawn has slopes from 6 to 15%. • There are currently no pathways, directional cues, or formal gathering areas on the South Lawn. • The South Lawn is separated from the Main Building by a small parking lot and a spur of the South Drive.
• There are no crosswalks, signs, or safety measures to alert drivers to pedestrian crossings on the South Drive or at the intersection of the South Drive and Route 183. • Cars travel at high speeds around the curve on Route 183 at the South Drive, which is the only pedestrian crossing to the lake. Sightlines are reduced due to trees and the sharp curve of the road.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Cars traveling west on Route 183 are prompted to limit their speed to 40 mph around a sharp curve, but speeds of cars often exceed the limit. Sightlines are hindered by trees.
A
The steepness of the South Lawn and a complete lack of pathways can deter guests from accessing points south of the main building, such as the Stockbridge Bowl.
A
D
C
Main Building
400 Feet
N
IMPLICATIONS
• Guests have difficulty traversing the steep slopes. Those with mobility challenges may be completely restricted from enjoying outdoor attractions.
Points of interest are not visible from the Front Entrance. A parking lot and driveway separate the Front Entrance from the South Lawn, fracturing the connection between the two areas. Directional information or pathways to points of interest on the property are completely lacking.
DESIGN DIRECTIVES FOR WAYFINDING • Provide informational and directional signs at the Front Entrance to educate guests about points of interest on the South Lawn (see Sheet 19). • Create a more seamless connection between the Main Building and the South Lawn (see Sheet 9).
• The buffer between the Main Building and • Create pathways with a comfortable grade to guide guests down the the South Lawn breaks up the space and can South Lawn (see Sheets 11 & 12). deter guests from using the lawn. • Provide directional cues on the South Lawn to guide visitors to points of • Without directional cues and prescribed interest (see Sheet 20). pathways, guests may be deterred from venturing down to the labyrinth or the lake. • Provide regulatory signs and crosswalks at all crossings on the South Drive and on Route 183 (see Sheets 19 & 20). • Crossing Route 183 at the South Drive can • Consider making the existing crossing at Route 183 and the South be dangerous for guests. Drive safer by improving sightlines and alerting drivers to the pedestrian crossing, or by redirecting the crossing to a safer location on Route 183 (see Sheets 11 &12).
Focus Area: South Lawn
10/22
In this design concept, a sinuous pathway leads guests down the eastern edge of the South Lawn, with a connecting trail to the labyrinth. Three terraces provide comfortable outdoor sitting and gathering areas on the lawn.
1
Chakra Path
2
Existing Road Crossing
East Drive Main
Build
ing
Existing Terrace
Centralized Trailheads
Accessible Ramp
Yoga Lawn
4 Chakra resting node with stairs in between
1 South Lawn
3
So
Labyrinth
hD
riv
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2 Existing Lake Trail
0
400
Labyrinth Spur
4
Mown Terraces on the South Lawn
Figure 1. The Chakra Path provides a logical connection between the building, the labyrinth, and the lake, while offering a comfortable path down the South Lawn and providing areas for rest and meditation.
A connecting path off the chakra path guides guests to the labyrinth.
Three terraces are constructed on the South Lawn just south of the building to provide more level outdoor sitting and gathering areas to supplement those on the front entrance terrace above (see Figure 2).
R
ou
te
18
3
Route 183 Crossing
Some trees at this dangerous curve have been cut back to improve sightlines, and an official crosswalk alerts drivers to pedestrians.
3 Trees cut back
ut
From a universally accessible ramp from the Front Entrance, guests are led to a centralized trailhead down to the South Lawn. A sinuous trail at a 5% grade guides guests from the yoga lawn down along the eastern edge of the south lawn (see Figure 1). At the eastern switchbacks of these mown paths are resting nodes representative of the seven chakras, which provide a spiritual and reflective experience for guests as they make their way easily down to the road crossing at Route 183. Stairs and paths between the nodes provide a steeper but more direct route to the crossing.
N Feet
Pros
Cons
• Mown paths are not easily traversed with • Comfortable, accessible way down the South Lawn. standard wheelchairs. • Safer road crossing at Route 183.
• Increased gathering and meditation areas with flatter surfaces. • Low-maintenance mown paths.
• Stairs may be costly to install and maintain. • Guests seeking a more direct route to the labyrinth will still face steep slopes.
• Connections to existing trail systems are made.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
• Guests navigating from the labyrinth to the Route 183 crossing to the lake will have to retrace their steps or walk on the South Drive. • Loss of trees at the curve. • Curve may still need additional safety features such as regulatory signs or a light.
Figure 2. Terraces on the South Lawn provide flatter areas to sit, do yoga, and gather outside. These supplement the few outdoor seating options on the Front Entrance terrace, some of which are displaced by the new ramp.
Design Concepts: Chakra Path to Lake & Labyrinth
11/22
In this design concept, wayfinding is improved through a central pathway down the entire length of the South Lawn. Sinuous pathways pass through this central stem and guide guests to sitting and gathering areas, and to other trail networks on the property. A new, safer road crossing connects guests to the lake trail and beyond.
1
Labyrinth Trail
2
New Road Crossing
3
Spur to Existing Lake Trail
4
Pondering Pines Trail
5
Mown Sitting Area
East Drive Main
Build
ing
Centralized Trailheads Accessible Ramp
Yoga Lawn
5
Nodes for resting, meditation, small gardens, or gathering
1
So
ut
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Labyrinth
riv
e
New connection to trail system
From the labyrinth, pathways connect guests to existing trails and down to a new safer road crossing farther south on Route 183. This new crossing offers greater sightlines for cars and people and incorporates safety measures for pedestrians. A new footbridge assists guests with the steep slope near the road (see Figure 1). Guests enjoy sitting and recreating outdoors near the building. A large mown sitting area is retained, while the rest of the South Lawn is converted to native meadow.
From the new road crossing on Route 183, guests are led on a new mown path through a meadow to the existing lake trail down to the Stockbridge Bowl.
From the labyrinth, a new path connects guests to a spruce grove, where a new trail has been created on a 10% grade.
R
ou
te
18
3
4
From the centralized trailhead just south of the building, guests are led to the yoga lawn. A central mown pathway with intermittent stairs guides guests all the way down past the labyrinth to Route 183. Secondary pathways of a 5% or less grade snake across the South Lawn and guide guests to a mown sitting area, large resting nodes, and connections to other trail networks (see Trails Alternatives, Sheets 14 & 15).
Existing Lake Trail
3 Proposed bridge to new road crossing
2
N 0
Feet
Pros
• Safer road crossing at Route 183. • Clear, comfortable, accessible way down the South Lawn. • Low-maintenance mown paths. • Connectivity to all points of interest and trails.
A mown sitting area just south of the Front Entrance provides a sunny place for guests to gather, eat, and relax near the building.
400
Cons
• Mown paths are not easily used with standard wheelchairs. • A bridge may need to be built to get pedestrians across a steep grade near the proposed road crossing. • Stairs may be costly to install and maintain.
Figure 1. A footbridge at the new road crossing at Route 183 assists guests with the steep slope at the base of the hill and creates a highly visible crossing that alerts drivers to pedestrian movement.
• Road crossing may still need additional safety features such as regulatory signs or a light.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Design Concepts: Labyrinth Trail to New Road Crossing
12/22
Roughly two miles of trails currently guide Kripalu guests around the property. These trails were originally built to keep guests off the roads and direct them to certain points of interest on and off the property. However, there are major wayfinding challenges associated with the trails, including a lack of directional cues, poor trail connectivity, unsafe road crossings, and an inaccurate trail map.
Trailhead Trailhead
View from trailhead to building Richm
ond M
ounta
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ad
X
X
X Main
X
B
Build
ing
Utility Road
A X
A
X
X X X
Main Trailhead
X
X
X
X
X
X
East Gate Entrance
D
East Drive
X
Meditation Garden Path
A path up to the meditation garden is interrupted by a driveway. It is unclear which of these three pathways continue to the garden.
ut
hD
Rou
This trailhead is one of only three trail signs on the property. It lacks information about the length, level of difficulty, type of trail, and destinations.
83
Many trails require guests to cross busy roads.
X
riv
e
C
Gould’s Meadow
X X
Legend
D
C
Existing Trails Unofficial or Unmaintained Trails
Water Resource Buffer
X X
• Many trails currently require guests to ascend and descend steep slopes. There are no trails that are universally accessible (aside from the East Drive, which is not a formal trail).
Points of Discontinuity Existing Trail Markers
Lakehouse Driveway
IMPLICATIONS • Guests have difficulty finding the trailheads and trail connections on the property.
0 400
X
800
1600
FEET
N
Stockbridge Bowl
B
No signs direct guests down to the lake, but once there, this directional sign leads them to their destination.
X te 1
So
Driveway to East Drive
OBSERVATIONS • Kripalu’s roughly two-mile trail system connects guests to points of interest on and off the property.
• Trails lack signs and directional cues. There are only three trail markers on the property.
• The main trailhead is not visible from the Main Entrance or the Front Entrance of the building. No signs or paths guide guests to the main trailhead.
• Though in mostly good condition, some trails show signs of erosion or drainage problems (see Sheet 16).
• Many trails are disconnected; some require guests to cross busy roads, driveways, or parking lots. There are no signs or safety measures to alert drivers to pedestrian crossings.
• Some pathways are not official trails or are former trails that are not currently maintained. These discrepancies are not properly reflected on the current trails map (see Sheet 3).
• Over half of the trails fall within water resource buffers.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
• Guests may become lost or turned around on the trails, both on and off the property. Guests may not understand the significance of many of the landscape elements they are being led to see. • Guests may face unsafe situations while crossing roadways to connect to other trails. • Guests with mobility impairments or compromised health may have difficulty using the existing trails. None of the current trails are accessible for those in wheelchairs.
DESIGN DIRECTIVES FOR WAYFINDING • Create direct connections from building entrances to trailheads (see Sheet 9). • Redirect existing trails, and design all new trails to form loops (see Sheets 14 & 15). • Provide informational and directional signs or cues at all trailheads and directional signs at all trail intersections. Consider interpretive signs at places of historical or ecological importance (see Sheets 19 & 20). • Implement safety measures at all trail crossings, including regulatory signs and crosswalks (see Sheets 19 & 20). • Create new trails on contour to provide a more comfortable experience for guests. Use trail materials that are appropriate for the trail use (see Trail Principles, Sheet 16). • Create universally accessible trails to enable all guests to experience the natural world at Kripalu (see Sheets 14 & 15). • Redesign the trails map to include more pertinent information about the trails, such as landmarks and safety information.
• Employ sustainable trail principles (see Trail Principles, Sheet 16). • Drainage problems and erosion can be environmentally • Contact the local conservation commission to assess ecological and economically unsustainable. conditions in the water resource buffers and determine where trail • Building or altering trails in water resource areas may building is permissible. be restricted.
Focus Area: Trail System
13/22
The Eastern Trails guide guests to the many historical elements on the property and provide opportunities for recreation, meditation, and socializing. Design concepts for the Eastern Trails focus on keeping guests off the East Drive, accessibility, the formation of loop trails, and diverse trail functions to accommodate guests’ needs at Kripalu. Common Trail Elements
Eastern Trails Design Concept 1
Centralized Trailheads Clear starting points direct guests to their desired pathways and destinations.
Eastern Trails Design Concept 2
Earth’s Altar Main
Build
ing
Meditation Garden Loop
Mansion Lawn
The fractured trail is lengthened and redesigned to form a loop. Trail spurs are reduced to one (a connection to the Grotto Garden).
Richm
Foundation Walls
Earth’s Altar
ond M
Meditation Garden Grotto Garden
ounta
in Ro
ad
East Gate Entrance
Main
Build
East Drive
Richm
ond M
Meditation Garden Grotto Garden
ing
Foundation Walls
A short trail guides guests to the Earth’s Altar and the Grotto Garden, while keeping them off the East Drive.
Shadowbrook Historical Loop This universally accessible pathway addresses guest safety on the East Drive while showcasing many historical features on the property (see Design Concepts: East Drive, Sheet 6).
Woodland Recreation Loop Mulch paths across a rolling landscape provide places for guests to exercise while enjoying the woodland landscape. Trails are redesigned to form loops and direct guests off the East Drive.
Gould’s Meadow
Pros • The pedestrian pathway along the East Drive provides a pleasant, universally accessible trail that is a safer alternative to walking in the road.
• Shadowbrook Trail may be restricted in the water resource buffer.
• Historical elements are showcased.
• Constructing more trails would require more maintenance.
• Loops and clear trailheads provide a more positive experience for guests.
• Trail building may be restricted in the water resource buffer.
East Gate Entrance
Legend Gould’s Meadow
Water Resource Buffer
Cons
ad
Camperdown Elm
Legend
Earth’s Altar & Grotto Garden Trail
in Ro
East Drive
Mansion Lawn
Camperdown Elm
ounta
Water Resource Buffer
Pros
Cons
• Two shorter accessible loops showcase more of the historical elements and provide more options for exploration.
• Some may still use the East Drive as a walking path since the trail does not run along its whole length.
• Guests are directed off the East Drive, making it safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
• May be costly to install new trails.
• Using existing trails can reduce the environmental impact of trail building.
• Trail building may be restricted in the water resource buffer. • Constructing more trails would require more maintenance.
Off-Property Connections Connections to off-property trail networks are made safer and more prominent (see Sign Types, Sheet 19). (See Sheet 9 for more details of proposed trail connections between upper parking lots and off-site destinations, such as Monk’s Pond.)
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Design Concepts: Eastern Trails
14/22
The Lakeside Trails guide guests down to the Stockbridge Bowl, where they can meditate, relax on the beach, swim, and enjoy the scenic views. Both design concepts address the dangerous crossing at Route 183, while the second concept focuses on building additional trails so guests can experience the wetland ecology, and so be safely connected back to the main property across from the driveway to the lakehouse. Lakeside Trails Design Concept 1 Legend
Centralized Trailheads
• Guests are familiar with the existing crossing to the lake at Route 183 and it is made safer by removing select trees, which increases sightlines.
South Lawn
Water Resource Buffer
Clear starting points direct guests to their desired pathways and destinations.
Pros
3
e
t ou
18
• Using the existing lake trails can reduce the environmental impact of additional trail building in the water resource area.
R
Lake Trail
Cons • The lake trail is still a one-way, and guests may use the lakehouse driveway, which would prompt them to cross over Route 183, where there is no safe or logical connection back to the property. • Guests are not able to access certain parts of the property, such as the wetlands or woodlands. • Loss of trees at the Route 183 crossing; there may be need for additional safety measures.
From safer crossings on Route 183, the existing lake trail guides guests down to the Stockbridge Bowl.
Existing Lake Trail
Wetland Trails
• The existing lake trail is in the water resource area and may need new features such as boardwalks to protect the ecosystem.
Lakehouse Driveway
The existing lake trail connects to a new wetland trail in the water resource buffer that has an observation deck. The wetland trail continues through woodlands on the southwesternmost piece of Kripalu’s property, and uses the existing crosswalk in front of the Berkshire Country Day School for a safe road crossing.
Stockbridge Bowl
Pondering Pines Trail
Lakeside Trails Design Concept 2
Across Route 183 near the Day school, a new sidewalk connects guests safely alongside the road to a new Pondering Pines trail, which snakes north up a 10% slope through a grove of spruces.
Legend
Pros
South Lawn 3
Water Resource Buffer
e ut
18
Ro
Meadow
Cons
• The new crossing farther south on Route 183 is safer for guests due to better sightlines.
• May be costly to install new trails, especially wetland boardwalks.
• A new, diverse trail system enables guests to interact with and appreciate the wetland ecosystem.
• Trail building may be restricted in the water resource buffer.
• A second road crossing encourages guests to cross the road at an official, safer location, where they are connected back to the property.
• Constructing more trails would require more maintenance. • At a 10% grade, the Pondering Pines trail may be too steep for some guests to use.
Existing Lake Trail
Lakehouse Driveway
Observation Deck Woodland
Stockbridge Bowl
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Design Concepts: Lakeside Trails
15/22
In maintaining existing trails and creating new ones, Kripalu should strongly consider principles of sustainable trail design. A sustainable trail is one that is designed and built to have minimal impact on the land, uses local materials wherever possible, and has reduced maintenance needs. Meet the needs of trail users... • Make trails that people want to use; guide guests safely and comfortably to places of interest across the property. • Pathway materials and width should be designed to accommodate the intended trail use and volume of foot traffic to reduce erosion.
Respect wildlife habitats...
Keep water off the trails... • Keep water off the trails to reduce erosion. • Trails should be out-sloped from the hillside by 5% which would allow the water that comes on to the trail to flow off downhill away from the trail (see Figure 1). • Trail elements like grade reversals and switchbacks can be a sustainable way to reduce erosion and the need for frequent trail maintenance (see Figures 2 & 5).
• Trails should respect critical habitats or other environmentally sensitive areas.
Build on contour...
Maintain the trails...
• Trails should follow the natural contours of the land. Trails on contour will create the least amount of impact, will readily shed water with grade reversals, and will provide a more comfortable grade for walking (see Figure 3). • An average trail grade of 10 % or less is sustainable on most soil types. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends a 5% maximum grade for universal accessibility (see Figure 4).
• Clean trail by removing brush and other debris so that trail remains usable. • Maintain clearances so that views are preserved and the trail remains pleasant to users. • Maintain trail edges so the pathway remains obvious to users. • Repair or replace trail markers and signs to minimize confusion on the trail.
• Consult a local wildlife specialist to ensure that paths have the least impact on wildlife on the property.
5% out-slope
To build a trail through the wetland, boardwalks may need to be constructed. The local conservation commission should be contacted to assess what is permissible in a wetland or within a water resource buffer.
Figure 1. A 5% out-slope (top) can direct water off a trail. Without an out-slope (bottom), water stays on the trail, causing erosion and reducing the trail’s lifespan.
Figure 2. Grade reversals use gravity to drain water off a trail.
Labyrinth
Erosion caused by a clogged culvert
Kripalu has already begun to convert areas of lawn into native meadow. Mown paths, such as the one leading up to the labyrinth, are aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, low cost, and ecologically sound. Wide mown paths can encourage better wayfinding from the main building to points south on the property.
Most of Kripalu’s trails are mulched and well maintained. However, the steepness of the slopes along with improper drainage can cause problems. Here, a clogged culvert has caused erosion on one of Kripalu’s trails along Route 183.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Figure 5. Switchbacks on trails can create a more comfortable experience for the user.
Figure 3. Designing trails on contour makes them less likely to erode and provides a flatter, more comfortable grade. Trails should be out-sloped from the hill by 5 % to allow water to run off.
Figure 4. Trails that are at a 5% grade or less are universally accessible and make for a more comfortable walking experience.
Trap rock gravel (TRG) is a good surface for universal accessibility. Though costly, it is a long-lasting option for a sustainable trail surface, is semi-permeable, and should require less maintenance than other materials.
Sustainable Trail Principles, Materials, & Maintenance
16/22
A direct connection to the lake is made through a sinuous pathway down the South Lawn and a road crossing made safer with select trees removed. Terraces are created south of the building to provide flat areas for outdoor sitting and gathering. A pedestrian pathway on the East Drive creates a safe, flat surface for guests to walk separated from vehicles. Centralized trailheads direct guests to destinations on loop trails that serve many diverse functions.
See Sheets 8 & 9 for parking lot-to-building design concepts
Earth’s Altar
1 Main
1
Build
5
ing
2 ond M
1
ounta
in Ro
ad
East Gate Entrance
Pedestrian Pathway East Drive
Yoga Lawn
Abandoned Nursery
Fire Pit
Chakra Nodes
Official crossing
2
Foundation Walls
3
Camperdown Elm
83
Official crossing
te 1
Rou
So
uth
Labyrinth
Dr
ive
From the Main and Front Entrances of the building, guests are led to centralized trailheads, where they learn about the trail system and are connected to most pathways across the property. Connections between the trailheads direct guests from one focus area to the next.
From the new trailheads, guests are led to the eastern trails— north across the East Drive to the Meditation Garden Loop or east along an accessible pedestrian pathway on the East Drive, which connects back to the accessible Shadowbrook Historical Loop.
Berkshire Country Day School
The Shadowbrook Loop showcases the old foundation walls, the Camperdown Elm, the fire pit, and the abandoned nursery. It loops around to meet the Woodland Recreation Trails, which connect guests on more challenging routes, with safer crossings to Gould’s Meadow. The Woodland trail formally connects to the Chakra Path on the South Lawn.
4 Lake house Driveway
Wetland
N
Wetland 0
200
3 Chakra Path Beginning at the yoga lawn, a sinuous, accessible path forges a connection from the top of the South Lawn to the lake crossing at Route 183. A direct path with intermittent stairs between resting nodes provides a faster route to the lake, while the nodes provide areas for resting, meditation, and gathering. The only formal connection to the labyrinth is from this trail, which is not a direct path from the building.
4 Lakeside Trails Removing select trees at the Route 183 road crossing improves the sightline for drivers and pedestrians (see Sheet 11), and the existing one-way lake trail guides guests down to the Stockbridge Bowl.
5 Terraces A path from the yoga lawn guides guests to new mown terraces, which provide additional flat outdoor sitting and gathering areas, and may be used for outdoor classes, yoga, and events. .
Feet
0
Beach
1 Centralized Trailheads & Connections
2 Eastern Trails
Gould’s Meadow
Official crossing with trees cut back
Wetland
Richm
Meditation Garden Grotto Garden
400 Feet
Stockbridge Bowl
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Final Design Alternative 1
17/22
This second final design alternative focuses on whole property connections. Guests are led from the building to old and new destinations across the landscape. Historical elements are highlighted, while new elements such as a wetland trail educate guests about wetland ecology and natural systems. A central pathway curves down the center of the South Lawn, with accessible paths winding through it. Two new road crossings address safety issues and cross-property connectivity.
See Sheets 8 & 9 for parking lot-to-building design concepts
1 Main
Build
2
Earth’s Altar
Meditation Garden Grotto Garden
1
ing
1
Richm
ond M
East Drive
Yoga Lawn
6
in Ro
ad
East Gate Entrance
Abandoned Nursery
Fire Pit Official crossing
Foundation Walls
Nodes
3
2
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e1
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Labyrinth
Camperdown Elm
t Rou
So
Wetland
ounta
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From the new trailheads, guests are led to the eastern trails— north across the East Drive to the Meditation Garden Loop or east to the accessible Shadowbrook Loop Trail—which direct guests away from the East Drive for most of its length.
New mown trail
Bridge & New Road Crossing
Meadow
Berkshire Country Day School Existing crosswalk and new sidewalk
4
Lakehouse Driveway Proposed Observation Deck
Wetland
Woodland
N
Wetland 0
Beach
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
200 Feet
0
Stockbridge Bowl
From the Main and Front Entrances of the building, guests are led to centralized trailheads, where they learn about the trail system and are connected to most pathways across the property. Connections between the trailheads direct guests from one focus area to the next.
2 Eastern Trails
Gould’s Meadow
ive
5
Official crossing
1 Centralized Trailheads & Connections
400 Feet
3 Labyrinth Trail Starting at the yoga lawn, a sweeping, accessible path with a central stem moves guests across the South Lawn to the labyrinth. Switchbacks include large nodes for meditation, gathering, or gardening. From the labyrinth, the path continues down to a new road crossing, which offers greater sightlines and is announced by a pedestrian bridge at the base of the hill (see Sheet 12).
4 Lakeside Trails Across from Route 183, a new mown trail cuts through a meadow and down to the existing lake trail. New trails off the lake trail guide guests through the wetlands to an observation deck, which offers ecological learning opportunities for guests. From the wetland trail, a new spur through the woodland guides guests to an existing crosswalk in front of the Berkshire Country Day School.
This double loop trail showcases the old foundation walls, the Camperdown Elm, the fire pit, and the abandoned nursery. 5 Pondering Pines Trail It connects to the Woodland A new path on a 10% grade guides Recreation Trails, which have guests up from a new sidewalk along been given an additional spur and Route 183 to an existing spruce grove loop, and which provide a more to the labyrinth. The trail offers a challenging route for walkers and challenging and contemplative walk. runners. Safer crossings to Gould’s Meadow have been made.
Mown Sitting Area The Woodland Recreation Trail 6 A mown sitting area has been retained intersects with the South Lawn on the northern part of the South and a path guides guests either to Lawn. Its slope may prohibit yoga the labyrinth or to the new road classes there, but guests can enjoy it for crossing. sitting, gathering, and recreating.
Final Design Alternative 2
18/22
Regulatory
Informational
Directional
Interpretive Signs
Regulatory signs reflect local codes. These include safety and warning signs, speed limit signs, and parking signs. Kripalu should advocate for more regulatory signs on town and state roads, while implementing a system of universally recognized signs on the property.
Informational signs include maps and symbols, and might be used to disseminate information to Kripalu guests about trail routes, grades, conditions, and points of interest.
Directional signs can guide drivers and pedestrians to destinations on and off the property.
Interpretive signs can provide self-guided educational opportunities for guests and help Kripalu better integrate ecological education into its guest experience.
Regulatory signs like these can be used on town and state roads at Kripalu to alert drivers to pedestrian crossings. To get a roadway sign or crosswalk on off-property roads, Kripalu must submit an application for a permit through the Town of Stockbridge, which will need to be reviewed and approved by the state. Private property signs are not regulated by the Town.
An informational sign, such as this trail sign, can better assist Kripalu guests in orienting themselves on the property, deciding which trails are most suited to their needs and abilities, and providing insight into the trail experience.
Simple, unobtrusive directional signs at key trail and pathway intersections can reduce guest confusion.
Interpretive signs enable guests to better appreciate the ecological and historical aspects of a site. Here a sign teaches visitors about meadow ecology.
Pedestrian crossing signs
Trail intersections lack directional cues.
Simple directional signs can assist guests in navigating to their desired destination.
No information is provided at the front entrance and guests may not know where to go. Trail crossings over busy roads on and off the property can be dangerous.
A trail leads to the mansion lawn, but there is no information about the historical significance of the site.
Pedestrian crossing signs and crosswalks can alert drivers to trail crossings and increase safety for guests.
A system of universally recognized signs on the Kripalu Center’s property can assist guests in moving safely and efficiently around the property.
An informational kiosk provides information about points of interest and trails across the property.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
A trail connector to Monk’s Pond leads off the property. No trail information is provided for guests.
Directional signs, or other markers (see Sheet 20) can improve connections and wayfinding on and off Kripalu’s property.
Sign Types
An interpretive sign can educate guests about Kripalu’s rich land use history, including the Shadowbrook Estate.
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While signs are not the only method of communicating wayfinding information, many signs may be needed if Kripalu does not make fundamental changes to its system of pathways and trails. “Sign clutter” can undermine aesthetics, and poorly designed signs can misinform or confuse guests. Potential Sign Locations with Final Design Alternative 2
Non-Sign Alternatives
Many signs may still be needed with improved connections and the addition of trails across the property. Consider non-sign alternatives where appropriate.
“Sign clutter”—the overuse of signs—may be undesirable at Kripalu. In some situations, intuitive pathways and a variety of landscape elements can assist guests in navigating to destinations without the use of signs.
See Sheets 8 & 9 for parking lot-tobuilding design concepts
Rocks, fallen logs, and other natural materials can serve as effective sign alternatives. These can blend more naturally into the landscape and reduce sign clutter.
Pathways with clear borders, such as this keyhole path invite guests into an area without the use of signs.
“The Gates” exhibit designed and installed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude in New York’s Central Park illustrates beautiful alternatives for pathway delineation in the winter.
Textured pathways can communicate information to guests about the theme of the trail and its suggested use. This narrow, ornate trail is likely not intended for recreation or large groups, but perhaps for individual, quiet reflection.
Roads, pathways, and crosswalks with textured surfaces may communicate information to users without a sign. Textured surfaces can warn drivers to slow down, while they can similarly warn pedestrians that they may be approaching a road.
All trail markers need not be signs, but can instead be works of art, such as sculptures.
Boston’s Freedom Trail is a simple brick line that guides visitors all throughout Boston’s historical districts without any signs.
Large boulders can be seen from far away and can become a destination, while conveying information.
Constructing cairns is a popular activity at Kripalu. Large cairns could be used to mark trails on the property.
Legend Regulatory Signs Directional Signs Informational Signs Interpretive Signs
N 0
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
400 Feet
Proposed Sign Locations & Non-Sign Alternatives
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Many organizations and institutions exhibit successful wayfinding design techniques that Kripalu might employ. The two precedents below are from local organizations which illustrate effective usage of directional cues, pathways, and landscape features. GARDEN IN THE WOODS
Framingham, Massachusetts
Garden in the Woods is a botanical garden of native plants, operated by the New England Wildflower Society, whose mission is to conserve and promote the region’s native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. Thousands of visitors a year come to Garden in the Woods to experience the largest landscaped collection of wildflowers in the Northeast and enjoy their trail system through guided or self-guided walks.
Features such as benches provide places to sit while creating landmarks for guests to better find their way.
TANGLEWOOD
Trails can be built naturally into a hillside to create a more comfortable path. Stone retention walls can prevent erosion and make aesthetically pleasing and functional landscape features.
Directional cues at every trail intersection help visitors find their way.
Natural materials like stone can delineate gathering spaces and create meaningful places in the landscape.
Staff and volunteers assist guests with navigating to parking spaces to reduce confusion and increase efficiency. Kripalu might employ such measures on Friday afternoons, when arrival traffic is heaviest.
Parking lot signs are large and easy to read. The lots are named and color-coded. Signs welcome guests and provide specific instructions for the parking and arrival process.
Lenox, Massachusetts
Kripalu’s neighbor, Tanglewood, is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and also receives thousands of visitors per year. Its new system of signs showcases successful wayfinding design, especially at the arrival stage.
The hanging Main Gate sign at Tanglewood is clearly visible from the road, making it apparent which entrance to use. Temporary signs are used for special events to indicate to guests that they have arrived at the correct place.
Once guests have pulled into the main driveway, staff and traffic officers guide guests to appropriate parking areas.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Pathway & Arrival Precedents
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All photographs taken by Jamie Pottern unless otherwise noted. All maps and graphics created by Jamie Pottern and Carlos Wright unless otherwise noted.
Photo Credits Sheet 2: Tague, William. The Berkshire Cottages: A Vanishing Era. Carole Owens. Aerial View of Shadow Brook. Page 180. Sheet 5: Jennifer Dermady. Sheet 7: Photo D. Kevin (Moose) Foran. Sheet 10: • Photo B: Jennifer Dermady. • Section Drawing: Hostetter, Shana and Manis, Katrina. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Landscape Management Plan. The Conway School, 2012. Page 8. Sheet 16: Boardwalk: • Wikimedia Commons. Boardwalk. Accessed 19 June, 2012. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/File:Boardwalks_-_geograph.org.uk__561980.jpg>
References Gravel Path: • Wikimedia Commons. North Dorset Trailway. Accessed 19 June, 2012. <http://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_Dorset_Trailway_ south_of_Sturminster_Newton_-_geograph.org. uk_-_942479.jpg>
Sculpture Trail Marker: • Wikimedia Commons. Touchstone Trail Marker. Accessed 25 June, 2012. <http://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ATouchstone_Trail_ Marker_-_geograph.org.uk_-_944030.jpg>
Sheet 17: Informational Sign: Accessed 21 June, 2012. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AWicklow_ Way_Clonegal_Trailhead.jpg>
Freedom Trail: • Wikimedia Commons. Boston Freedom Trail. Accessed 25 June, 2012. <http://upload.wikimedia. org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/BostonFreedomTrail. JPG>
Sheet 20: Pebble Path: • Wikimedia Commons. Pebble Lane. Accessed 25 June, 2012. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/ wiki/File%3APebble_lane.JPG>
Boulder: • Wikimedia Commons. Accessed 25 June, 2012. <http://upload.wikimedia.org/ wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Trail_of_ Death_%28Independence%2C_Indiana%29.png>
Textured Pavement: • Wikimedia Commons. Paving at Crossing. Accessed 25 June, 2012. <http://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3APaving_at_crossing. jpg>
The Gates: • Wikimedia Commons. Accessed 25 June, 2012. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File%3AGates_in_the_snow.jpg>
Carll, Melissa, Rissolo, Laura, and Welch, Julie. Landscape Resilience at Kripalu: A Handbook of Principles for Sustainable Planning, Design, and Stewardship. The Conway School, 2011. Hepfner, Erin and Tompkins, Kate. A Landscape Master Plan for Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. The Conway School, 2011. Hostetter, Shana and Manis, Katrina. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Landscape Management Plan. The Conway School, 2012. Hunter, Susan. Wayfinding Design Process. Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental Access (IDeA). Accessed 20 June, 2012. <http://udeworld.com/dissemination/ publications/60-wayfinding-design-process-generaldesign-issues.html> Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation. Trail Guidelines and Best Practices. March 2012. Accessed 16 June, 2012. <http://www.mass.gov/dcr/ stewardship/greenway/docs/DCR_guidelines> Raphael, David. Wayfinding Principles & Practice. Landscape Architecture Technical Information Series 2006. ASLA, 2006.
Other Credits
Town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Zoning Bylaws. (2012). Accessed 27 June, 2012. <http://www.townofstockbridge. com/bylaws.htm>
• Base Map materials created by Dillon Sussman. • Historical photo documentation by Tabitha Kaigle.
Jamie Pottern & Carlos Wright
Landscape Wayfinding Plan
The Conway School Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design 332 S. Deerfield Road | PO Box 179 | Conway, MA 01341 www.csld.edu Spring 2012
57 Interlaken Road | Stockbridge, MA 01262
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
Photo Credits & References
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