The Farm School needed help determining the potential for a small permanent farming community around its facilities in western Massachusetts. The school’s property was divided into two separate lots by an undeveloped parcel between them. The school, which teaches principles of ecological stewardship and connectivity to nature to both youngsters and adults, asked Conway’s Willie Gregg, Sierra McCartney, and Becca Robbins to advance a plan for the undeveloped property, which has fertile soils, open vistas, and vestigial apple orchards.
The Conway team was asked to site homes on the parcel in a way that protects the site’s natural resources, respects the surrounding natural environment, and minimizes the need for new infrastructure. The final design also takes into account the community’s desire to balance public and private space. The client said of the Conway team, “They were consistently astute and professional, as well as being warm.”