Now the Fun Begins

Creating a vision for the property that responds to the site and meets my social, philosophical, and economic goals is the best part of my work. The creativity we bring to this part of the process determines our success or failure. It creates the framework for all of the details to follow. It establishes the program of buildings and acitvities. It allows me to evaluate development cost and potential revenues. The physical plan is just the beginning. Over the next few posts I will be describing my vision for the site and the architecture. I will be detailing how the project will earn revenue. I will be creating a preliminary cost estimate and pro forma analysis. But for now, take a look at the plan and read the beginnings of the vision.





Retreat Center (15,800 SF)

The Retreat Center is the heart of the community. It is a place of learning, socializing, sharing food, sleeping and relaxing. It has places to learn gourmet cooking, to meet, to read, to write, to paint or draw and to sculpt. The Grand Living Room doubles as a large classroom while smaller rooms allow for group discussions or presentations. The second level consists primarily of 14 rooms that sleep 4 people each and 8 double rooms for a total of 56 people in the retreat center.

First Floor mechanical room 500
SF kitchen/storage/toilets 900 SF
dining 1500 SF
creativity rooms 3400 SF
library 400 SF
Grand Living Room 2400 SF
Second Floor toilet/bath/storage 900 SF
sleeping 4900 SF
Tower managers apartment 900 SF
Retreat Cottages (9900 SF)

The Retreat Cottages are designed as small self-contained living units with private baths, closets, kitchen and living area. The cottages will function as executive lodging for corporate retreats, instructor lodging for university use and private residences for learning vacations. There are 11 cottages averaging 900 SF each. Where possible the cottages will be tucked into the hillside and have green roofs. An exception will be a special tree house built into a large oak in the forest. In areas with high ground water cottages will be entirely above ground.

Existing Barn (4000 SF)

The existing barn will be rehabilitated and function as the major production center of the community. The barn will house the equipment for making cheese, processing grapes and making wine, equipment for honey production, a woodshop, a kiln and will provide storage for the community tractor and wagon. Adjacent to the barn is the primary parking area allowing people to park their cars as they arrive and enjoy the activity of the community on foot.

Vertical Axis Wind Generator Field

Vertical axis wind generators begin generating usable power at wind speeds as low as 5 mph. Existing studies suggest that this area may have enough sustained wind to run 300 kw turbines at average wind speeds of 7-10 mph. It is hoped that the wind generators, in conjunction with geo-thermal ground loops for primary heating and cooling, most of the energy needs can be provided on-site. An evaluation of alternatives should be completed to determine the most effecient method of self-generated power.



Caretakers Cottage (2400 SF)

The Retreat Center and Organic Garden will require a significant investment in time and energy to maintain the buildings and grounds, tend the animals, plant and weed the crop and oversee harvesting and production.The caretakers cottage is designed to provide housing for the communities permanent staff.

Vineyard (5.5 acres)

The vineyard plays a crucial role in the communities education and production objectives. The Center will become a place for people to experience the operation of a vineyard and the making of wine. This can be the cornerstone of a learning vacation. Additionally, the vineyard and winery will make wines for on-site consumption at events and for sale to guests and at regional farmer’s markets. Guests will enjoy sipping wine while seated on the patio, in the tasting room or at a gourmet harvest dinner made from the communities produce.

The Apple Orchard (2 acres)

The apple orchard also plays an important role in the life of the retreat center. Guests can pick apples and learn to make apple butter, apple pies or even apple cider. As part of the learning experience guests can take home self-canned jars of their work.

The Bee Hives (1/3 acre)

Like the vineyard and the apple orchard the bee hives bring an added dimension to the learning experience. Guests can learn about the life of bees, and how to collect and process the honey. They will be given the opportunityto purchase the communities signature honey, which will also be for sale at regional farmer’s markets.

Goat Shed (1/3 acre)

A goat shed and milking barn is located adjacent to the caretaker’s cottage. Guests will be able to watch milking for use in the artisianal cheese making on-site. Guests can try their hand at milking and can watch the production of the cheese.

Walnut Grove (2 acres)

Over 200 walnut trees have been planted to eventually provide a significant nut harvest as well as future hard woods for sale. These trees are located in the wet areas west of the pond as walnut trees like “wet feet”.

Fishing Pond (1.8 acres)

The fishing pond is provided as a relaxing past-time for guests and as an emergency water source for the more draught sensitive plants in the organic garden. The pond is fed by both ground water and the intermittent stream flowing from the west.



Wine Cellar/ Cheese Cave (10,000 SF)

Buried into the side of the hill the wine cellar and cheese cave will allow controlled temperature aging for the artisianal products made on-site. A stone entry cottage will provide access for guests while a lift adjacent to the drive will allow for efficient movement of products for transportation. A tasting room in the stone entry cottage will allow guests to purchase the private label wine and cheese.





Organic Produce Plots (15 acres)
Central to the financial success of the community is the variety of vegetables grown in the organic produce plots at the base of the wooded hillside. The produce will be offered for sale at regional farmer’s markets and used in harvest meals as well as canning classes at the retreat center. The farm will celebrate natural foods and can be used as the focal point for teaching a more healthy lifestyle.