The Conway School framework for community projects
Prior to the project start, prospective clients work with the Conway School’s Project Manager, who will develop a project scope and contract for each client. Clients have numerous opportunities to define their project needs prior to its start.
Regardless of whether it is a large-scale site design project or a community and ecological planning project, each community project is led by 2-3 graduate students and includes several things:
- Analysis of existing conditions, challenges, and opportunities across the project area
- Engagement of the public and/or key stakeholders
- Development of recommendations and graphics (e.g., maps, site plans, etc)
- A final report, printed and digital, with this information
“Community” versus “small-scale” projects
Community projects occur during Conway’s winter and spring terms, where stakeholder engagement informs project direction and outcome. All winter projects are community and ecological planning; all spring projects are large-scale site design.
Small-scale design projects, which occur in the fall, are completed for individuals or individual organizations, and do not include stakeholder engagement.
Community projects: Timelines and client roles
Prior to the start of community projects, clients are asked to identify a Core Team of 3-5 representatives. Two or three students are assigned to each project about a week prior to the project start; the Core Team will work directly with them during the 12-week project, offering important direction, community context, and feedback on the final draft.
Responsibilities of the client’s Core Team
- Prior to project start, assemble group of 3-5 individuals and review project contract
- Meet weekly or every other week with students (typically virtual)
- Provide logistical support for stakeholder engagement sessions (i.e., coordinate meeting dates, times, locations, technical setup, and attendee recruitment)
- Attend students’ mid-term Works in Progress presentation (hybrid option available)
- Provide feedback on the students’ final draft during a three-day window near the end of the term
- Following project completion, provide feedback on the project via an online survey
Typical timeline for winter projects (January - March)
- Mid-January – first client + student meeting
- By mid-February – first community or stakeholder engagement activity (scoping)
- Late February – Works-in-Progress presentation
- By early March – second community or stakeholder engagement activity (feedback on recommendations)
- Mid-to-late March – Final drafts sent to clients (refer to contract for specific date)
- Three days later – clients provide final feedback on projects
- Late March – last day of winter term
- Mid-April – students typically have final documents printed
- Late April – clients to receive final documents (refer to contract for specific date)
Typical timeline for spring projects (April - June)
- Mid-April – first client + student meeting
- By late April – First site analysis completed
- By mid-May – first community or stakeholder engagement activity (scoping)
- By late May – most site inventories, analysis, and conceptual drafts completed
- Late May – Works-in-Progress presentation
- By early June – second community or stakeholder engagement activity (feedback on recommendations)
- Mid June – Final drafts sent to clients (refer to contract for specific date)
- Three days later – clients provide final feedback on projects
- Late June – last day of winter term
- Mid-July – clients to receive final documents (refer to contract for specific date)
Small-scale design: Clients close to home
With the Conway School’s small-scale design projects, each individual student works with a client that is one individual, family, or stakeholder group.
- Residential projects include rural, suburban, and urban properties ranging in scale from 1/4 acre to 10 acres.
- Small-scale non-residential projects include pocket parks, community gardens, schoolyards, green cemeteries, and other landscapes open to visitors.
Preference is given to sites that present challenges suitable to the school’s mission and are within a 30-mile radius of the Conway School’s campus in Northampton.
Project cost, timing, and client responsibilities
Small-scale design projects are scheduled during the fall of each year, beginning with a client interview in September and ending in December. Applications are accepted year-round; applications received after July 31 are moved to the next year’s potential project list. Apply to become a client.
Small-scale site design projects are completed by the end of the calendar year, and a printed copy delivered in mid-January.
Small-scale design projects are offered on a sliding scale; for the fall of 2026: $750, $1,200, and $1,500. All funds received above the base fee of $750 are used to fund projects in underserved communities. We may also offer a few reduced rate small-scale design projects where there is a special need and their project would be especially instructive in meeting our program goals.
Client responsibilities include:
- Meeting several times with the student designer to outline their needs and wishes
- Reviewing progress and recommendations
- Attending a juried presentation in mid-November