sustainable landscape design family home conway, ma

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

ZAKON-ANDERSON104 MATHEWS RD

CONWAY, MA

EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010

Conway School of Landscape Design332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341

CONWAY, MASingle Family Home

Landscape Plan for theZakon-Anderson Family

104 Mathews RoadConway, MA

Emily F. LubahnConway School of Landscape Design

332 South Deerfield RoadConway, MA 01341

INDEX

EXISTING CONDITIONS CONTEXT AND LEGAL SLOPE AND WATER VIEWS SUN AND SHADE SUMMARY ANALYSISALTERNATIVE PLANS FINAL PLAN PLANTING AREAS SUSTAINABILITY PLANGRADING PLANPRECEDENTSILLUSTRATIONSPLANTS & HABITAT

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1314

Landscape Plan for theSingle Family Home

Conway, MA

Emily F. LubahnConway School of Landscape Design

332 South Deerfield RoadConway, MA 01341

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CONWAY, MA




EXISTING CONDITIONS

The house is oriented northeast and southwest. The north corner is the study, the east corner is a living room, the south corner is a hallway/mudroom, and the west corner is the kitchen.

The Zakon-Anderson family is an active member of the Conway community. The family of four, two sons, mom and dad, plus their dog enjoy many forms of outdoor recreation, wildlife observation, sports, music and the arts. The family loves the sweeping pastoral views from their land and the sledding hill in their backyard.

The family moved from New Hampshire several years ago and has decided this property will be their permanent home. They want to create a landscape that enriches their active lifestyle while enhancing native species habitat.

0’ 5’ 15’ 30’

SOIL: Moderately to well-drained, Buckland/Colrain fine sandy loam. Average mineral content suitable for the range of most plants, neutral to slightly acidic meaning most plants will grow well on the site.

HEM

LOC

KS

FORS

YTHIA

A

A1

A1

A

MOWED TURF

MEADOWSection A-A1 -Cross section from the north and south corners illustrating the average slope of the property.

SILVER MAPLE

BLACK CHERRY

PASTURE

PEAR

SILVER MAPLE

BIRCH

MATHEWS ROAD

NEIGHBORFIELD

BLACK CHERRY

WOODS EDGE

COMPOSTSEPTIC LINE

PROPANE TANK

STONE WALLKITCHEN

LIVING ROOMS

VEGETABLE GARDEN

As you drive up Mathews Road from the west, the Zakon-Anderson property reveals itself just after the crest of a hill. You enter the gravel drive under a canopy of established hardwoods, past a neighbor’s driveway cutting across the corner of the property. The drive terminates at an indefinite edge near the house and forsythia hedge.

The 1.3-acre site is oriented north to south with the width averaging 150’ and the length approximately 400’. The property slopes down from north to south towards the forest at the southern boundary. Along the western boundary, a stand of hemlocks buffers the northwest winds. A large forsythia hedge bisects the eastern portion of the yard. Along the eastern boundary, a tall stand of hardwoods accompany an historic stone wall, which continues down the eastern boundary along a pasture.

A stone raised bed frames the front of the house with vegetation including mountain laurel, daphne and lilac. Stone slab steps take you up to the red front door. Moving around to the back of the house, several views and outdoor living areas emerge. Under the shade of the 60’ silver maple there is a flowering cherry tree, a small deck attached to the house and a play-set. The back lawn slopes down towards the southern boundary and several young hardwoods and a pear tree dot the landscape. A seasonally mowed meadow occupies the southern third of the site.

NEIGHBOR’SHOUSE

BARN

(SLEDDING HILL)

PLAYSET

MOWED TURF

MEADOW

MOWED TURF

NEIGHBOR’S DRIVEWAY

GRAVELDRIVEWAY

WELL

FLOWERINGCHERRY

STO

RAG

E

DESIGN OBJECTIVES• Reduce mowing• Site garage, tool and storage

shed, and studio• Site outdoor living spaces:

labyrinth, kids’ spaces, patio, 3-season sun-room/porch

• Create habitat for wildlife, particularly bluebirds and butterflies

• Control invasive species• Enhance arrival to site

and maintain privacy from neighbors

• Site solar collection areas

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CONTEXTThe property lies in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts in the town of Conway on the eastern foothills of the Berkshires and west of the Connecticut River. What happens on this site affects regional resources. Water on the property drains into the Mill River which eventually drains east into the Connecticut.

The area was historically a farming and agroforest region. Remnants of this era are found on the property in the rock wall along the eastern boundary. This property was formerly a farm field prior to being subdivided from the 1800s Mathews Farm.

Located near Route 116, the property offers easy access to other parts of the region, including close proximity to the Conway Grammar School, which the boys will be attending for the next few years.

Mathews Road runs along the north property line. To the east are neighbors with a barn and horse pasture, the Mill River crosses through the neighbors’ property to the south and the western property line is bounded by two undeveloped lots. The surrounding properties provide views and wildlife habitat.

CONTEXT & LEGAL

LEGALThe clients are restricted from building permanent structures on a significant portion of their property due to setback regulations in Conway. The zoning bylaws require a 50-foot setback from the road and a 25-foot setback from all other property boundaries. The town requires a 20-foot wide driveway.

DESIGN DIRECTIVEThe new garage, tool and storage shed, sun-room/porch and studio must be sited inside the setbacks.

ROUTE 116CONWAY GRAMMAR SCHOOL

104 MATHEWS ROAD

25’ Boundary Setback

50’ Road Setback

0’ 5’ 15’ 30’

MILL RIVER

MATHEWS ROAD

HOUSE

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SLOPE & WATER

DESIGN DIRECTIVES The property has limited areas of <10% slope, which are suitable for siting buildings, gardens and outdoor living spaces. Grading will be required to site the garage, studio, tool shed, gardens, labyrinth and outdoor living areas. Run-off and erosion can carry debris from construction processes downstream, so care should be taken to lessen the impact of construction and erosion.

0’ 5’ 15‘ 30’

WATER The water on-site drains to the Mill River directly south of the property, eventually draining into the Connecticut River. Precipitation infiltrates easily into the well-drained fine sandy loam. The water that drains from the site will affect both human and wildlife habitat downstream.

SLOPEThe property slopes down from the northwest to the southeast. Approximately half of the 1.3 acres is a 15-25% grade. One-fifth of the site exceeds a 25% grade south of the house. The flattest portion of the lot, approximately one-tenth of the site, occurs behind the house and is <5% grade. The front of the house consists of a range of slopes, predominantly 5-10% grade.

Within a 30-60’ radius of the house is the parking area, access to the house, outdoor storage, vegetable garden, play set, and outdoor living areas. The rest of the property is used less frequently as you move away from the gentler slopes and onto steeper slopes.

< 5% slope. Suitable for all design objectives.

5-10% slope. Suitable for walkways, driveway and turf.

10-15% slope. Grading may be required for constructing spaces.

15-25% slope. Grading will be required for any construction.

>25% slope. Suitable for steps only and must be stabilized to prevent erosion.

LEGEND

B

B1

MATHEWS ROAD

HOUSE

Water flow

Section B-B1 illustrates the average slope in the meadow

15->25% slope >25% slope <5-10% slope

BIRCH

BLACK CHERRY

15-25% slope

Area Used Most

Frequently

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VIEWS

0’ 5’ 15‘ 30’

DESIGN DIRECTIVESTo open desired views, the pear and flowering cherry trees may be moved or removed. All future planting should maintain these desirable views. The arrival on-site should be enhanced. If any vegetation that screens undesirable views is removed, it should be replaced to maintain that function.

DESIRED VIEWS Desired views on the property are of the southern lawn and field; the neighbor’s field to the west; the woodlot to the south; and the neighbor’s pasture to the east. Some of these views are currently blocked by a pear and flowering cherry tree under a silver maple.

UNDESIRED VIEWS Undesired views come into the site from Mathews Road where there are minimal landscape features and the propane tank is highly visible. Arriving on-site does not have a welcoming aesthetic. SCREENED VIEWS Immediately west of the house, hemlocks protect the site from cold winter winds and screen views. To the east the forsythia hedge creates a privacy barrier from neighbors.

MATHEWS ROAD

PROPANE TANK

FORS

YTHIA

HEM

LOC

KS

PEAR TREE

FLOWERING CHERRY

View into western neighbor’s field.

View to southern forested edge and eastern neighbor’s horse pasture and paddock.

UNDESIRED

DESIRED

BLOCKED DESIRED

SCREENED

LEGEND

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0’ 5’ 15’ 30’

SUN AND SHADE

SUN and SHADEThe analyses indicate what areas receive full sun for six hours or less during the solstices and equinoxes.

The summer solstice analysis shows that during the summer there are ample areas receiving full sun for vegetation and solar collection sites.

There are less sunny areas during the equinoxes with more shade around the house, under the silver maple and in the field than during the summer.

The winter solstice analysis shows that the northern and southern thirds of the property are heavily shaded. This leaves the middle of the property useful for year-round solar collection. Also, the northern third is shaded all day, resulting in potential icy conditions during the winter months.

DESIGN DIRECTIVES Shade conditions will affect the choice of vegetation selected to reduce the lawn, the siting of sunny outdoor living spaces and the potential for icy conditions in the winter. The optimal site for year-round collection of solar energy is located in the middle third of the property.

SUMMER SOLSTICE SPRING AND FALL EQUINOXES

WINTER SOLSTICE

9am, 3pm

9am, noon, 3pm

9am, noon, 3pm

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SUMMARY ANALYSIS

0’ 5’ 15’ 30’

50’ BOUNDARY SETBACK

SILVER MAPLE

25’ Boundary Setback

C

C1

OPTIMUM SOLAR COLLECTION AREA

MATHEWS ROAD

BARN

ESTIMATED EQUINOX SHADE

ESTIMATED WINTER SHADE

Property Boundary

SUMMARY • The site is sloped from north to

south with areas of steep 15-25+% slopes south of the house.

• The primary outdoor living areas are within a 30-60 feet radius around the house where the slopes are between <5-10%.

• Town zoning bylaws require that all new construction is set back 50 feet from the front property line and 25 feet from the side and back property boundaries.

• Some desirable views to the south are blocked by trees and some undesired views come from Mathews Road.

• Large swaths of the northern and southern portions of the property are shaded during the winter, including the house. There is less shade cover during the equinoxes and into the summer.

IMPLICATIONS• The slope of the property

will require grading to create flat outdoor living spaces and site new buildings.

• The areas around the house with slopes <10% will be appropriate for siting the garage, labyrinth, patios, and gardens.

• Permanent structures must be located outside of setbacks.

• Desirable views should be maximized and cleared if obscured by trees.

• Screened undesired views should remain screened and unattractive views should be improved.

• The shade in the winter may create icy conditions, particularly on the northern portion of the property.

• The optimal year-round solar collection area is south of the pear tree.

PEARTREE

Property Boundary

Primary Outdoor Living areas

Section C-C1 was cut across the back of the house to illustrate the primary outdoor living area.

FORSYTHIAHEDGE

STONE WALL

UNDESIRED

DESIRED

BLOCKED DESIRED

SCREENED

LEGEND

PROPANETANK

HEMLOCKS

HOUSE

Area Used Most

Frequently

NEIGHBOR’SHOUSE

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ALTERNATIVE PLANS

PHASE ONE Alternative This alternative is an initial phase of the final plan, which presents solutions for design objectives that can be implemented over time. • The turf is reduced to an area in the northeastern front of the house and mowed

pathways behind the house. The remainder of open land is kept as meadow and mowed annually.

• A lean-to tool and storage shed is built on the western side of the house with inexpensive wood material that can be taken down and reused if needed.

• The labyrinth is located south of the forsythia hedge. The labyrinth location will require grading to make a level area, and the removed earth will be moved to create a level area south of the weeping cherry for a fire pit/sledding perch.

• Pockets are cut out of the forsythia bed to create more play space. The woody edge in the south field becomes a transition area from old field to new forest for the kids to create their own play area. Tree forts can be built using bush willow shoots which will be planted in the southeastern corner.

• The deck is removed and replaced with a patio that expands across the back face of the house.

• Bird habitat is maintained and created by expanding the meadow and planting spicebush and sumac along the property boundaries. Bluebird houses are located east of the sumac edge.

• The butterfly garden is expanded and relocated east of the pear tree. • Invasives are controlled using a removal and replacement method. • The vegetable garden is reoriented to align with the slope contours. Raspberry

and blueberry clusters are planted east of the garden. Fruit trees are planted in the northwestern corner of the front yard.

• Arrival on-site is enhanced with tiered planting at the front of the house. The stone bed is removed and the stones are reused for a path from the driveway to the house.

• The woody canopy along the stone wall is expanded and evergreens are planted strategically to maintain privacy.

• A photovoltaic panel is located south of the pear tree in the optimal solar collection zone.

• Privacy is maintained by planting evergreen and shade-tolerant shrubs along the eastern rock wall.

0’ 5’ 15’ 30’

PEARTREE

FORS

YTH

IA

0’ 5’ 15’ 30’

SETBACK

PATIO

LABYRINTH PEARTREE 3-SEASON

PORCHADDITION

WEEPING CHERRY

TREE FORT AREA

SMOOTH SUMAC AND

BLUEBIRD BIRDHOUSES

BLACK CHERRY

VEGETABLE BEDS

STUDIOADDITION

GARAGE ADDITION

WEST GARAGE Alternative This alternative requires the purchase of a triangular parcel of the neighbor’s property to build a one-car garage, mudroom and tool room addition within the town zoning setback bylaws. • The turf is reduced to the northeastern front of the house and pathways at the

back of the house. The existing meadow is expanded north up to the pear tree.• A two-story one-car garage is attached west of the house and connects to the

house through a mudroom and tool shed for additional storage. • The garage can only be one car due to the 50-foot front setback. • A three-season porch and studio are an addition on the east side of the house,

connecting to the existing structure through the living room. • A patio expands across the back of the living room and addition. • The labyrinth is located south of the weeping cherry with earth removed for

construction used to level this area. • A tree fort area is created under the black cherry tree in the field where it will

not hinder winter sledding traffic. • A pergola with photovoltaics mounted above is located in a clearing south of the

pear tree in the optimal solar collection zone. • Bluebird habitat is expanded throughout the field with houses located along the

western boundary where sumac is planted and a bench under the pergola to view wildlife. Spicebush is planted along the opposite side of the field.

• The vegetable garden is located south of the hemlocks along the property boundary.

• Fruit trees and berry bushes are located south of the forsythia hedge. • Invasives are controlled by a removal and replacement method in the meadow. • Arrival on-site is enhanced by planting ornamental beds at the front of the house

and the northwest corner to disguise the propane tank. Ornamental beds guide paths in the front and back yard and enhance the views from the kitchen, three-season porch and patio.

• Privacy is maintained by planting evergreen and shade-tolerant shrubs along the eastern rock wall.

E1

D1

E

Tool Shed Forsythia Labyrinth BerriesSection D-D1 illustrates design solutions for the PHASE ONE Alternative

Privacy Border

New Sun-room Studio Addition Fruit Trees

New One-Car Two-Story Garage

Section E-E1 illustrates design solutions for the WEST GARAGE Alternative

SUMAC EDGE WITH

BLUEBIRDBIRD HOUSES

LABYRINTH

PATIO

TOOL SHED

TREE FORT AREA

D

EXPANDEDWOODY

EDGE

VEGETABLE GARDEN

TIERED PLANTINGS

FRUITTREES

BERRIES

POLE MOUNTED

PV’s

MEADOW

FIRE PIT/SLEDDING

PERCH

FRUITTREES

BERRIES

PVPERGOLA

MEADOW

PRIVACY EVERGREENS

PRIVACY EVERGREENS

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FINAL PLAN

0’ 5’ 15‘ 30’

Kitchen

2

3

4

1

5

6

7

8

Section F-F1 was cut along the back of the house to illustrate the addition, labyrinth location and vegetation.

New AdditionLabyrinth Berry bushes

Mowing is reduced on the south part of the property by expanding existing meadow north.

A new two-car garage, studio, and tool shed are attached to the existing house through a new mudroom and 3-season porch addition. The two-story volume on the south part of the garage is the studio above and the tool shed below.

The labyrinth is located in a newly graded area south of the garage addition. Tucked into the hillside, the labyrinth is located near the house for optimal use, bordered by lavender and screened from the east by trees and evergreens.

3 Season Porch

MudRoom

Living Area

The bay window is replaced with french doors and opens onto a stone patio that replaces the deck. Vegetation frames views, guides paths, and defines an outdoor room. The flowering cherry is moved to the front and replaced with steps leading to the garden. This opens the view to the south. The play-set is removed and a swing is hung from a limb of the silver maple. The flat area is expanded using fill from the new building construction (see grading on sheet 11/14 for details).

1

2

3

6

8

7

11

9

7

5

410

The fire-pit perch uses excavated earth from new construction. It is located close to the western property boundary to avoid the septic pipe. This area is framed by trees to the west and is open to south and east views.

The forest expands from the existing southern boundary. The southwest corner extends the forest edge and the southeast corner is planted with bush willow. These areas are designated as kid zones where tree forts can be built harvesting poles from the willows.

Several areas are wildlife habitat zones. The western boundary line is planted with sumac and spicebush for bird habitat. The eastern boundary and the top of the meadow is an additional spicebush area and butterfly garden. Bird houses are located on the west boundaries of the meadow.

Vegetable gardens are relocated to align paths and beds with the slope and optimal sun. Berry bushes create privacy and align with the slope. Existing young trees in this area are moved during construction to create full sun conditions for the gardens.

9

Ornamental beds line the pathways and driveway, enhancing the arrival on-site. Fruit trees are planted in the northwest corner of the front yard, screening the propane tank. Stone from the existing front beds are used for pathways.

10

Along the eastern boundary, evergreens and winter gardens are planted to enhance the arrival on-site and create privacy barriers from the eastern neighbors.

11A pergola with mounted photovoltaics is oriented south and on contour for optimal year-round solar collection. A bench is located under the pergola for viewing wildlife.

PASTURE

BARNC1

C

MATHEWS ROAD

Existing House

Studio

Tool Shed

TWO-BAY GARAGE

STUDIO ABOVE, TOOL SHED BELOW

VEGETABLE GARDEN

FRUITTREES

BERRIES

MEADOW

PROPERTY

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PLANTING AREAS

2

3

1

VEGETATIVE ZONE GUIDELINESThe meadow zone expands to cover the southern half of the property. This area functions as wildlife habitat, maintains pastoral views and promotes species diversity. • The meadow should be mowed in mid-March and mid-July. Mid-March

allows wildlife to forage during winter months and mid-July allows for spring nesting and plant establishment. and foder for the winter The field should be mowed from the inside out to flush wildlife out.

• Plant staghorn sumac in the southwest corner for general song bird attraction.

• Plant smooth sumac along west boundary line north of the birch tree specifically for bluebirds

• Common spicebush should be planted along the woody edge and eastern boundary line for bluebirds and aster varieties, black-eyed Susan and beautyberry along the field border.

• For the butterfly garden/pollinator habitat, plant wild bergamot, bee balm, sweet cicely, butterfly milkweed, button bush and bottlebrush buckeye to attract a multitude of species.

• In the southeastern corner plant a grove of bush willow, winter berry and button bush to provide a harvest of shoots for play structure construction and wildlife habitat.

• Invasive species are manually removed in this zone by pulling out bush honeysuckle and multiflora rose and replacing them with above vegetation.

• Create mowed paths to access these areas.

The ornamental zone is located close to the house for views, creating outdoor living spaces, enhancing arrival on-site and easy maintenance.

1The outdoor room southwest of the existing house is created with ornamental sun and shade-tolerant vegetation that guides the eye and lines the pathways. • Standard hydrangea, peony and old fashioned roses frame the

property line and meadow edge• Blue flag rises are planted under the tree in partial sun• Flowering shade-tolerant plants under the silver maple

include wild bleeding heart, shooting star, Solomon’s seal and foamflower.

• Plant creeping thyme between stone slabs on patio and stair landings.

2 The outdoor living area south of the new addition is a peaceful haven. • Lavender beds surround the labyrinth to the north and

south with salvia interplanted as a beneficial companion• Heaths and heathers are interplanted with pussy willow,

red osier dogwood and Virginia creeper to stabilize the graded banks; the small ornamental tree is moved during construction into the east bank for additional stabilization.

0’ 5’ 15’ 30’

3This area welcomes the residents and visitors on-site while promoting pollinator and bird habitat. Planted beds create cascading terraces to entrances and pathways.• Plant shade tolerant azaleas around the house for

spring bloom and bush clover in sun zones on the high terrace.

• Plant old fashioned roses, clove currant, and daphne on the middle terrace.

• Ground cover includes bearberry, wild blue phlox and perennial bulbs planted along paths and driveway.

The eastern woodland edge is expanded for habitat and multi-season blooms and to create a privacy barrier.

Two young trees are moved to the woodland edge to provide full sun for this edible zone of vegetables, herbs and fruit. Rotations of nitrogen-fixing plants, such as legumes, enrich the soil.• At the base of the steps the first bed is a kitchen garden. Plant herbs such as basil, dill, flat leaf parsley, spearmint, sage

and chives. • At the edge of the drip line of the silver maple is a legume teepee, engaging kids in the process of growing food. West

of the teepee is a strawberry patch. • Buffering the vegetable beds to the west are bush clover, New Jersey tea and licorice for nitrogen fixing.• Buffering the nitrogen-fixers, meadow and pollinator garden is white echinacea,• Vegetables are planted in beds based on maintenance needs and frequency of harvest; herbs, tomatoes, asparagus,

salad greens and kale among others are planted in beds closest to the steps; root and vine vegetables, cabbages, pea shrubs and brussels sprouts are in lower beds.

• Between the vegetable beds and the eastern property boundary are highbush blueberries and raspberries.

The fruit tree zone in the northwest corner gets 6 hours of sun during the growing season. Recommended trees are peach or Asian pears with creeping phlox and comfrey (nitrogen fixer) as ground covers.

The hillside garden is a dry shady area. Plants that can flourish under these conditions are wild ginger, sweet fern, geranium, bloodroot and partridgeberry.

SUCCESSIONAL PLANTING: Planning for the future requires vegetation to be planted successionally. Slow growing vegetation should be planted first, such as the rosebay rhododendrons, azaleas, peach trees, Asian pears and asparagus.

Another priority is stabilizing the grading to prevent erosion. Virginia creeper, red osier dogwood and pussy willow should go in the ground immediately after grading.

*The vegetation chosen for the zones are suitable to the fine sandy loam found on this site. Those that are less suitable are assisted with companion plants, nitrogen fixers and specialized beds. Recommended non-native species are not aggressive and do not pose a threat to the local ecosystem.

MATHEWS ROAD

4

EDIBLES

FRUIT TREES

ORNAMENTALS

WOODLAND EDGE

4

MEADOW

• The mountain laurel is relocated from the front of the house and moved along with the young silver maple and the flowering cherry from the back of the house to the woodland edge.

• Plant red osier dogwood for 4-season interest and blue cohosh as ground cover. Clusters of strategically placed rosebay rhododendron and clove current are planted under the canopy for a privacy buffer.

• Plant flowering bushes such as hydrangea, Indian pink, beautyberry and sweet pepperbush.

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SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

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3

1

5

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7

8 10

1

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3

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8

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10

9

7

54

11

11

• Expanding the meadow using native vegetation creates more wildlife habitat.

• Minimal maintenance, mowing once or twice per year decreases energy use, augments natural processes and promotes species diversification.

• The cut and fill method of grading takes soil that is cut from the earth, for the labyrinth and tool shed, and moves this soil elsewhere to make level areas, for the fire pit area and under the silver maple. This will decrease the energy used to import or export soil off site.

• No more than six inches should be filled over the roots of the silver maple.

• To prevent erosion and stabilize the new banks created from the grading process, native species are used, such as red osier dogwood and pussy willow.

• Existing trees are moved east of the addition to help stabilize this bank.

• Instead of mowed turf, low growing native ground cover species are used in walkways and under trees.

• Passive solar energy is increased by knocking out the southern wall that blocks light, opening the living room to sunlight.

• Passive solar energy is also increased by orienting the addition south towards the sun and desirable views

• The woodland edge is expanded on the southern boundary, creating more species diversity on-site.

• The play area allows for natural learning experiences and the harvest of organic materials to create natural play structures.

• Bird habitat is enhanced by planting several clusters of various native species to attract assorted bird species.

• Existing bluebird houses are moved to accommodate the new vegetation patches and lowered to under five feet because competitive bird species, such as house sparrows, prefer not to nest so close to the ground.

• Attracting multiple bird species is a passive way to encourage competition with house sparrows and starlings, which are harmful to bluebirds.

• Pollinator habitats attract diverse native species beneficial to vegetation both on-site and in the surrounding area.

9 • Vegetable and fruit production reduces turf and reduces reliance on oil for food transportation.

• Nitrogen fixing plants in this area mutually benefits native and edible vegetation and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

9

• Expanding the woodland edge mutually benefits humans and wildlife.

• Ornamental vegetation creates habitat for pollinators and pleasurable views for humans.

• Expanding vegetation reduces turf.

• Implementing photovoltaics to collect solar energy for power reduces reliance on non-renewable energy.

SUMMARYIn the context of the region, the sustainability plan enhances native species habitat, increase species diversity, minimizes the human footprint on the land, and enhances the general ecology of the immediate surroundings.

MATHEWS ROAD 0’ 5’ 15‘ 30’

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GRADING PLAN

0’ 5’ 15‘ 30’

MATHEWS ROAD

SUMACEDGE

SEPTICPIPE

GRADED SLOPEFILLED SOIL

Section illustrates fire pit perch. Caution should be taken when digging the pit to avoid the septic pipe.

*Steps should be built with rot resistant wood such as black locust.

GRADING PLAN• The construction of the addition and labyrinth require a grading

plan. • The existing contours have been moved using the cut and fill

method, moving the soil to a new point of stability. The angle of slope stability is no more than 33% grade.

• The bank east of the addition will be graded to a 33% slope and planted with erosion control vegetation and the tree moved during construction.

• The west bank between the labyrinth and addition will graded to a 20% slope and planted with erosion control vegetation and ornamentals.

• The fill from constructing the addition area will be used to expand the flat area behind the house and create a fire pit perch.

• Stairs are built to access the tool shed, labyrinth and vegetable gardens.

A series of four steps and landing areas descend from the patio area.

SILVER MAPLE

LABYRINTH

SUN ROOM

TWO-CARGARAGE

STUDIOABOVE

TOOL AND

STORAGE SHED

MUD ROOM&

ENTRY

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PRECEDENTS

Garden Gate Magazine

Hillside Gardening

Hillside Gardening

Storm King, NY

Stick Art-Patrick Daugherty

MEADOW

PLAY SPACES

Patios & Walkways Idea Book

Patios & Walkways Idea Book

www.remarkablerestorations.com

SOLAR COLLECTION

STEPS

PATIO

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ILLUSTRATIONS

Garage, studio, tool shed addition. Cars in the garage are supported by earth.

Tree fort made from willow or forsythia poles.

Lavender Bed

Gravel

SandSoil

SOIL

Sketched view onto site from Mathews Road

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PLANTS & HABITAT

Promoting habitat for bluebirds presents a few obstacles, the main one being competition with other birds.• Competitive species such as house sparrows and starlings will destroy bluebird nests.

When putting up bluebird houses they should have a 1.5” opening and be within 5’ of the ground as sparrows and starlings prefer not to nest this close to the ground.

• A set of three houses are recommended to stand within 12-15’ of each other. • Creating competition for the starlings and house sparrows benefits the bluebirds.

Another set of 3 houses could be put up to attract species such as Carolina and house wrens. These boxes should not be within 100’ of the bluebird boxes. These boxes could either go in the northeastern corner of the site or be put up on neighboring property.

• The North American Bluebird Society, Mass Audobon Society and Cornell’s allaboutbirds.org are excellent resources. The Mass Audobon Society asks that people observing nesting in one area over a period of three years report it on the Breeding Birds Atlas found on their wesbsite: http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding.

PEAR HARVEST• Pears should be picked

when they are firm as they ripen from the inside out.

BEAUTYBERRY

www.nps.gov

www.fruitpedia.org

CLOVE CURRANT CAROLINA ALLSPICE

SMOOTH SUMAC

www.hort.uconn.edu

www.centralpark2000.com

www.bkperennials.comwww.nichegardens.com

www.urbanext.illinois.edu www.naturalmidwestgarden.com

BUSH CLOVERINDIAN PINK

RED OSIER DOGWOODFOAM FLOWER

BLUEBIRD HABITAT

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