Landscape Plan for the Zakon-Anderson Single Family Home Family 104Conway, Mathews MA Road Conway, MA Emily F. Lubahn
Conway School F. of Landscape Emily LubahnDesign 332School South Deerfield Road Conway of Landscape Design Conway, MA 01341 332 South Deerfield Road Conway, MA 01341
INDEX
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
EXISTING CONDITIONS CONTEXT AND LEGAL SLOPE AND WATER VIEWS SUN AND SHADE SUMMARY ANALYSIS ALTERNATIVE PLANS FINAL PLAN PLANTING AREAS SUSTAINABILITY PLAN GRADING PLAN PRECEDENTS ILLUSTRATIONS ZAKON-ANDERSONPLANTS & HABITAT CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
15 14
13 14
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.
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.
KS
GRAVEL DRIVEWAY
WELL
STONE WALL
KITCHEN LIVING ROOMS
NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE E
ST OR AG
SILVER MAPLE
FO RS
FLOWERING CHERRY
YT
HI A
PLAY SET
VEGETABLE GARDEN
BARN COMPOST
SEPTIC LINE MOWED TURF
PASTURE (SLEDDING HILL)
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.
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
MOWED TURF
PEAR
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.
NEIGHBOR’S DRIVEWAY
PROPANE TANK
NEIGHBOR FIELD
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.
30’
MATHEWS ROAD
A
HE ML OC
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.
0’ 5’ 15’
BIRCH BLACK CHERRY
WOODS EDGE
SOIL: Moderately to welldrained, 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.
MEADOW
• 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 A Control invasive species Enhance arrival to site and maintain privacy from neighbors Site solar collection areas
SILVER MAPLE
A1
BLACK CHERRY
MOWED TURF Section A-A1 -Cross section from the north and south corners illustrating the average slope of the property.
A1 MEADOW
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
EXISTING CONDITIONS
1
14
104 MATHEWS ROAD
MILL RIVER
ROUTE 116 CONWAY GRAMMAR SCHOOL
CONTEXT
The 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.
MATHEWS ROAD
0’ 5’ 15’
50’ Road Setback HOUSE
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.
LEGAL
The 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.
25’ Boundary Setback
DESIGN DIRECTIVE
The new garage, tool and storage shed, sun-room/porch and studio must be sited inside the setbacks.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
CONTEXT & LEGAL
2
14
30’
SLOPE
0’ 5’ 15‘
The 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.
30’
MATHEWS ROAD
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.
Area Used Most Frequently
HOUSE
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 welldrained fine sandy loam. The water that drains from the site will affect both human and wildlife habitat downstream.
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.
B
B1
LEGEND Water flow < 5% slope. Suitable for all design objectives.
BIRCH
5-10% slope. Suitable for walkways, driveway and turf.
BLACK CHERRY
10-15% slope. Grading may be required for constructing spaces. 15-25% slope. Grading will be required for any construction. 15->25% slope
>25% slope
15-25% slope
<5-10% slope
Section B-B1 illustrates the average slope in the meadow
>25% slope. Suitable for steps only and must be stabilized to prevent erosion.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
SLOPE & WATER
3
14
DESIRED VIEWS
MATHEWS ROAD
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.
0’ 5’ 15‘
30’
SCREENED VIEWS
PROPANE TANK
DESIGN DIRECTIVES
To 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.
FLOWERING CHERRY
FO RS
YT
HI A
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.
HEM
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.
LO CK S
UNDESIRED VIEWS
PEAR TREE
View into western neighbor’s field.
LEGEND UNDESIRED
DESIRED BLOCKED DESIRED
View to southern forested edge and eastern neighbor’s horse pasture and paddock.
SCREENED
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
VIEWS
4
14
0’ 5’ 15’ 30’
SUMMER SOLSTICE
SPRING AND FALL EQUINOXES
9am, 3pm
SUN and SHADE
The analyses indicate what areas receive full sun for six hours or less during the solstices and equinoxes.
9am, noon, 3pm
WINTER SOLSTICE 9am, noon, 3pm
The summer solstice analysis shows that during the summer there are ample areas receiving full sun for vegetation and solar collection sites.
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.
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.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
SUN AND SHADE
5
14
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.
0’ 5’
15’ 30’
MATHEWS ROAD
50’ Boundary Setback C
Area Used Most Frequently
IMPLICATIONS
HOUSE
NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE
SILVER MAPLE
Optimum solar • The slope of the property will require grading to create collection area 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.
PEAR TREE
C1
BARN
LEGEND 25’ Boundary Setback
UNDESIRED
DESIRED BLOCKED DESIRED HEMLOCKS FORSYTHIA HEDGE
PROPANE TANK
Primary Outdoor Living areas
Property Boundary
SCREENED STONE WALL
Property Boundary
Section C-C1 was cut across the back of the house to illustrate the primary outdoor living area.
Estimated Equinox Shade Estimated Winter Shade
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
6
14
FRUIT TREES
TIERED PLANTINGS
0’ 5’ 15’ 30’
D
TOOL SHED
HIA
PATIO
FO R
SYT
EXPANDED WOODY EDGE
FIRE PIT/ SLEDDING PERCH
D1
PEAR TREE SUMAC EDGE WITH BLUEBIRD BIRD HOUSES
PRIVACY EVERGREENS
LABYRINTH BERRIES MEADOW
VEGETABLE GARDEN
POLE MOUNTED PV’s
TREE FORT AREA
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.
Tool Shed
Forsythia
Labyrinth Berries Section D-D illustrates design solutions for the PHASE ONE Alternative 1
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, threeseason porch and patio. • Privacy is maintained by planting evergreen and shade-tolerant shrubs along the eastern rock wall.
New Sun-room New One-Car Studio Addition Two-Story Garage
Fruit Trees
0’ 5’ 15’ 30’
E
SETBACK GARAGE ADDITION
PATIO
STUDIO ADDITION VEGETABLE BEDS
E1
WEEPING CHERRY PEAR TREE
LABYRINTH
SMOOTH SUMAC AND BLUEBIRD BIRDHOUSES
PRIVACY EVERGREENS
3-SEASON PORCH ADDITION FRUIT TREES
MEADOW
BERRIES
BLACK CHERRY
PV PERGOLA TREE FORT AREA
Privacy Border
Section E-E1 illustrates design solutions for the WEST GARAGE Alternative Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
ALTERNATIVE 7 14 PLANS
Mowing is reduced on the south part of the property by expanding
FRUIT TREES
1 existing meadow north.
0’ 5’
15‘ 30’
MATHEWS ROAD
2
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.
3
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.
C
9
Kitchen
4
5
6
7
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). 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.
4
3 Season MudRoom Porch
Two-bay garage
2
Studio above, Tool shed below
3
8 5
C1
11
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.
10
Living Area
Barn
BERRIES
7 1
VEGETABLE GARDEN
7 MEADOW
Pasture
8
9
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. 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.
6
Along the eastern boundary, evergreens and winter gardens are planted to enhance the arrival 10 on-site and create privacy barriers from the eastern neighbors.
Studio
Tool Shed
A pergola with mounted photovoltaics is oriented 11 south and on contour for optimal year-round solar collection. A bench is located under the pergola for viewing wildlife.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
Existing House New Addition Labyrinth
Berry bushes
PROPERTY
Section F-F1 was cut along the back of the house to illustrate the addition, labyrinth location and vegetation.
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
FINAL PLAN
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14
VEGETATIVE ZONE GUIDELINES
The 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.
1
2
3
4
0’ 5’
15’ 30’
MATHEWS ROAD
FRUIT TREES
3 ORNAMENTALS
WOODLAND EDGE
1
The ornamental zone is located close to the house for views, creating outdoor living spaces, enhancing arrival on-site and easy maintenance. The 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. 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.
2
4
EDIBLES
MEADOW
This 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 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. The eastern woodland edge is expanded for habitat and multi-season blooms and to create a privacy barrier. • 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. 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.
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.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
PLANTING AREAS
9
14
0’ 5’
MATHEWS ROAD
1 • Expanding the meadow using native vegetation creates more
15‘ 30’
wildlife habitat. • Minimal maintenance, mowing once or twice per year decreases energy use, augments natural processes and promotes species diversification.
2
3
4
5
6
• 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.
9 10
• 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.
4
3
• Instead of mowed turf, low growing native ground cover species are used in walkways and under trees.
9
• 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
11 8 1
• 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.
2
5
7
7
7 • 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.
8
• Pollinator habitats attract diverse native species beneficial to vegetation both onsite and in the surrounding area.
6
10 • Expanding the woodland edge mutually benefits humans and wildlife. • Ornamental vegetation creates habitat for pollinators and pleasurable views for humans. • Expanding vegetation reduces turf.
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.
11
• Implementing photovoltaics to collect solar energy for power reduces reliance on nonrenewable energy.
SUMMARY In 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.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
10 14
0’ 5’
15‘ 30’
MATHEWS ROAD 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.
Section illustrates fire pit perch. Caution should be taken when digging the pit to avoid the septic pipe.
FILLED SOIL SUMAC EDGE
GRADED SLOPE
SEPTIC PIPE
SILVER MAPLE
TWO-CAR GARAGE
A series of four steps and landing areas descend from the patio area.
STUDIO ABOVE TOOL AND STORAGE SHED
MUD ROOM & ENTRY SUN ROOM
*Steps should be built with rot resistant wood such as black locust. LABYRINTH
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
GRADING PLAN
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MEADOW
Storm King, NY
Hillside Gardening
PATIO
STEPS
Hillside Gardening Garden Gate Magazine
PLAY SPACES
Patios & Walkways Idea Book Stick Art-Patrick Daugherty
Patios & Walkways Idea Book
SOLAR COLLECTION www.remarkablerestorations.com Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
PRECEDENTS 12 14
Lavender Bed
Garage, studio, tool shed addition. Cars in the garage are supported by earth.
Soil Sand Gravel
SOIL
Tree fort made from willow or forsythia poles.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
Sketched view onto site from Mathews Road
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
ILLUSTRATIONS
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CLOVE CURRANT
CAROLINA ALLSPICE
www.fruitpedia.org
www.centralpark2000.com
SMOOTH SUMAC
BEAUTYBERRY
www.nps.gov
INDIAN PINK
www.hort.uconn.edu
BUSH CLOVER
www.bkperennials.com
www.nichegardens.com
RED OSIER DOGWOOD
FOAM FLOWER
www.urbanext.illinois.edu
BLUEBIRD HABITAT
www.naturalmidwestgarden.com
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.
Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and is not based on a legal survey.
EMILY F. LUBAHN FALL 2010
Conway School of Landscape Design 332 South Deerfield Road, Conway, MA 01341
ZAKON-ANDERSON CONWAY, 104 MATHEWSMA RD Single Family Home CONWAY, MA
PLANTS & HABITAT
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