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- 2. CONTENTS Mission Statement ______________________________ The Sustainable Circle_____________________ INTRODUCTION _________________________________ Academic Excellence Conference ___________ Process of Planning______________________ PRECEDENTS____________________________________ Blume Community _______________________ EcoVillage at Ithaca_______________________ Sawyer Hill EcoVillage_____________________ DEVELEPMENT OF SPACE ________________________ Relative Location_________________________ Site Analysis____________________________ Site Analysis Continued___________________ Existing Conditions______________________ Water, Drainage & Soil___________________ THE SITE _______________________________________ Space needs Analysis_____________________ Land Program Analysis____________________ Circulation Analysis_______________________ Phasing_______________________________ Team members Jacob Pastor Kevin Callahan Students of Keene State College majoring in Architecture continuing in their work with sustainable practices and design for buildings. This Capstone project is an on-going project currently in the second semester. Mentors Dr. Brian Green Bart Sapeta Brian Green is a professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Keene State College who is the founder that came up with the big idea for this project. A current student of his at the time, Ryan Cathcart, invited us to have the opportunity to work on the idea and develop into this master plan. Bart Sapeta is the head of the architecture department at Keene State and has worked closely with us in studio based learning courses for the past four years encouraging and guiding them to becoming prominent and applied students of architecture. DISTRICTS ________________________________________23 The Site _____________________________________ 24 Welcome Center_______________________________25 The Marketplace_______________________________26 Biodiversity Center_____________________________27 Student Housing_______________________________28 Environmental Business & Design Center___________29 Environmental Sciences & Agricultural______________30 Health Science & Alternative Medicines____________ 31 Timber Works & Maker Space____________________32 Agriculture ___________________________________33 Green Space &Conservation Land__________________34 Renewable Energy______________________________35 CONCLUSION________________________________________36 Overview ______________________________________37 Appendix____________________________________________38 Bibiography______________________________________39 A note about reading this document This document will be available to read at www.keenestatecollege.com/catalog / programs/detail/262/bs/architecture We use the term ‘sustainable’ throughout this document. Our definition of it is: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations or harming the planet 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
- 3. 3 Mission Statement Inspiration. Numerous departments at Keene State College, along with many individual faculty members and students, work towards promoting the general goal of sustainable, local development. this work is done through our curriculum design, through various particular courses and programs, through internships, and other colleges-wide efforts including invited speakers, workshops, and symposia. our last campus wide symposia focused explicitly on the notion of “What Sustains Us”? This proposal for living, learning, and working center for sustainable business and scholarship presents an opportunity for a genuinely interdisciplinary, integrative experience that has great potential to have a positive long-term impact on our college, our students, our community, and our natural environment. The proposed name of (The Thompson Center) is inspired by the work of Samuel Thompson, known as “the father of American herbalism”. Thompson was born in 1796 in Alstead, New Hampshire, where he learned to use native herbal plants to treat many illnesses. Thompson discovered several native medicinal herbs that had previously been unknown to science. His techniques which became known as the Thompson Method, spread around the United States and had a wide impact on medical treatments during the Nineteenth Century. Our Vision. The Thompson Center if brought to fruition in a form resembling that proposed here, will provide A living, learning center for development of work opportunities in the local region Research and training opportunities for students at Keene State Genuine possibilities for long-term sustainable economic development in the Monadnock region Partnership opportunities for Keene Sate College with local government, local business, and other colleges and universities, and local non-profit organizations We will ensure that the Center encourages and enables us to live and work in ways that do not damage the natural resources upon which our society and economy depends. We will use innovative, modern, environmentally-friendly design, incorporating eco homes and modern methods of construction. We will create a town center that is pedestrian friendly and is well connected to residential, employment and leisure areas. A model for work and economic development for students to take with them post graduation
- 4. 4 THE SUSTAINABLE CIRCLE Guidelines Sustainability Circles are small groups of people who care about the topic or have special knowledge or resources. Members meet regularly to discuss the local challenges associated with one of the sectors below. Possible solutions are explored and practical local actions are proposed that would be appropriate for their community. To survive in a world without cheap fossil fuels and with increasingly challenging weather patterns, we will need to have sustainable local sources of 17 things: 1: Environment/habitat Safe, pesticide-free living space and ecosystems throughout our watershed area. Action: pesticide-free parks, banning GMOs or certain pesticides. 2: Food Healthy organic food from farms, backyards or community gardens. Action: “Lawns to Food” 3: Water sparing use, water collection and non-toxic recycling of scarce water. Action: watershed and creek cleanup and protection 4: Air high air quality standards Action: more support for bicycle travel, commuter trains. 5: Shelter Green housing and furnishings from local sources. Action: mandate green building practices in our area 6: Clothing, textiles local, non-toxic fabric, clothing and textiles sewn under “fair trade” conditions. Action: encourage local artisans, weavers, clothing manufacture 7: Commerce and trade locally owned and operated– mostly local but importing a small number of goods we can’t produce here Action: require corporations in our area to meet the “triple bottom line” standards – Profits, People, Planet – in order to do business locally. 8: Travel and transport Energy-efficient alternative transport. Commuter trains, bikes, electric vehicles etc. Action: Resist freeway widening, get train routes expanded to reach our community. 9: Security maintaining peace and order locally with positive external alliances for mutual benefit. Finding and creating local sources of needed resources before they run out. Good local preparation for possible emergencies due to fire, drought, earthquakes, climate change, food and fuel shortages. Action: work with local Red Cross, fire and police to prepare for emergency situations before they happen. 10: Science/technology The Precautionary Principle for all new technology: must be proven “innocent” before use. Action: pass City Resolution supporting the Precautionary Principle 11: Energy wind, solar, etc. Action: convert all government facilities and services to sustainable energy. 12: Family/community/society – includes politics, law building and maintaining strong local connections with everyone in our community. Strong local government. Action: Regular Town Hall meetings. 13: Health care integrative medicine using the best of traditional and modern medicine, provided to all in the community who need it. Emphasis on preventive care and health maintenance not just “repair.” Action: support integrative medicine. 14: Dependent care – children, the elderly, companion animals Sustainable: integrating children, the aged, the ill, the animals back into daily community life. Action: encourage cooperative living arrangements. 15: Education Customized learning environments where the best in each individual is nurtured for the benefit of the whole community. Action: encourage local standards and control for education, resisting conformity to rigid national standards. 16: Arts, entertainment and communication Local participation in the arts, live entertainment, news gathering. Parades and events of local interest. Global news from reliable alternative (internet, alternative TV/radio) sources. Global networking without airplane travel, using the internet. Action: Support “days without television.” 17: Spirit, psyche, culture Mutually respectful diverse ways of connecting with our highest selves and universal spirit. Action: Community “compassionate listening”/non-violent communication events and inter-faith dialogues. Notes about this page Source for this information: http://www.doitgreen.org/green-living/how-make- your-town-or-city-more-self-reliant-and-sustainable
- 6. 6 AcaDEMIC EXCELLENCE CONFERENCE We proposed our big idea for the Thompson Center for Sustainability in front of an audience at the end of the spring semester of 2014 at Keene State College. A video was made to explain the need for sustainability in a world that is rapidly being developed and using natural resources. The film explained awareness of real life statistics and innovative solutions for the issues of sustainability that are occurring all throughout the world today. We analyzed the basic individual needs of society that must be addressed in order to make a positive change. The revolutionary idea we presented was the first step of a possible solution to many environmental and societal dilemmas to pave the way for a more promising future for our children and grandchildren. The two of us took a feasible plan for a model for a sustainable and self sufficient communal by Brian Green. The design for this development would address the issues of both sustainability and social structure that are prevalent in our modern society. The original name for the model was the ‘Thompson Center for Sustainable Work and Scholarship’, in which we changed to ‘Thompson Center for Sustainability and Design’. We built a scaled physical model to visually express a fully functioning and sustainable village proposed to be developed in association with Keene State College. Keene State is already listed as a top green school in the United States, so a project like this coming to life would create beneficial implications from the college jumping to the forefront of a movement that could help change civilization and the ecosystem forever. The AEC is sponsored by the Offices of the Provost and the Associate Provost, the KSC Student Assembly, Alumni and Parent Relations, Marketing and Communications, the Advancement Division, and the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Office. This event brings together student scholars and their families, faculty and staff mentors, other members of the KSC community, area legislators, university trustees, and members of the Keene community in celebration of academic research and other forms of scholarship. Thank you Grace Lemieux for your design work on the conference banner. MAY2015MASTERPLAN This presentation will show the results of students’ efforts to promote a sustainability center for Keene State College. Presenters will demonstrate, through persuasive film format and a three dimensional scaled model, the academic, service, and professional value of a full-fledged center for sustainable work and scholarship at Keene State. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Presenters: Kevin Callahan, Ryan Cathcart, Jacob Pastor, Hannah Soucy, Roger Wilke Mentors: Brian Green, Bart Sapeta This information is found online at http://www.keene.edu/academics/enrichment/aec/2014/sciences/soc/ksc_center_for_sustainability_research/ The presentation using a film and model was a way to introduce that the development would be a place for Keene State students and various community members to take part in sustainable education and practice in a communal living situation. It would create genuine possibilities for long term sustainable economic development in the Monadnock region, as well as partnership opportunities for Keene State, local government, local businesses, local non- profit organizations, and other colleges and universities. The model was fairly large (approximately four feet by eight feet) used MDF board as a base, chic board for the terrain and contours, butter board and balsa wood for massing models of buildings, and various other materials to show authentic detail.
- 7. 7 The Planning Process Presentation: Academic Excellence Conference Build a the model of the original Thompson Center site Chose to go in and refine the entire process as a our senior capstone final project Research and study similar eco-sustainable locations Locate a site that was feasible with enough space that fit the needs Analyze the site’s geological features Determine what areas area able to build and develop on as well as farm Come up with a list of spaces and buildings to be programmed onto the site Develop a program of square footage for each purpose, space, and building Take the spaces and form a bubble diagram to connect areas to each other on the site to create a fluent and easily accessible community. Create a final circulation diagram of spaces and paths. Program the sites districts in detail. Create a 3D digital site plan of the entire Thompson Center strategically planned out. Organize all the information and research into word documents. Develop the order and layout of the Master plan Transfer all information and Sketchup model into PDF documents for the Master plan In order to pick back up where we left off in 2014 in conclusion to the AEC project for this master plan, there was several key factors to lay down before we got underway with our capstone project.
- 8. 8 PrecedentStudies MAY2015MASTERPLAN In order to even begin the design process of the Thompson Center for Sustainability and Design, we had to research communities and eco-villages that exist around the world that share similar goals and attributes we will include in our plan. We chose three studies, two of which are within driving range of Keene State and are in full action, one still under the design process that we were unable to get in contact with to see what the status is of their community. 2
- 9. Blume Eco-Sustainable Community Harrisburg, North Carolina 360-acre village incorporating unique amenities including a 25-acre working farm, Market Square and full service YMCA in addition to more than 600 residential units. Characteristics that they plan to thrive for sustainability and caught our eye were: - On site food production: 25 acres of agricultural fields and orchids. (picture A) - Renewable energy system: solar farms (picture B) - Alternative transportation: trail and sidewalk systems (picture C & D) - Education, recreation, and employment opportunities - Strict green building guidelines, including solar tech, rainwater catchment systems and high performance building materials - Green space including parks and fields (picture right) - Blume Market Square: front door of community with small shops, offices, services and a grocery store. (picture E) First in the world Family focused eco-sustainable community with 3 separate neighborhoods interconnected by Walkable/bicycle paths. 9 PE SQUARED is a licensed North Carolina Civil Engineering Firm, specializing in Land development services. We have a focus on sustainable site development practices that can be both economical and sustain the environment into the future. A B C D E
- 10. EcoVillage at Ithaca Ithaca, New York Main Features - Community Center - Housing units: close to town center, geothermal heat pump systems, radiant floor heating - Two-thirty home co-housing neighborhoods - Organic CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) vegetable farm - Office spaces - Education office - Ecosystem restoration project - Pastures and natural areas Green Buildings: Houses are designed to utilize the warmth of the sun and conserve heat during the long, cold winters. Passive solar design: (orienting homes toward the south with large window walls on the south side). This lets in natural daylight, and heats the home easily when the sun is out. Windows are minimized on the north side, to keep out those cold north winds. Homes are also super-insulated. Solar Powered: Solar panels generate over half of the electricity needs. In addition to rooftop panels on SONG roofs, both FROG and TREE (neighborhoods) will have 50 Kw ground-mounted arrays. Livelihood: EcoVillage at Ithaca does not operate a shared commercial business enterprise in which residents work. Rather, the villagers have jobs, operate small businesses and professional practices, and do substantial work as volunteers. About 45% work from home, onsite on farms, or in offices built within the Common Houses. Learn: Learn@EcoVillageIthaca is our non-profit education organization which coordinates tours and programs, hosts media visits and partners with local projects and global networks. The learners we serve include beginning farmers, college faculty and students, green building professionals, aspiring cohouses, activists and global citizens who want to help build a positive future that works for all. Programs: Serving students in visiting college classes; green building professionals focused on energy, housing and municipal planning; and beginning farmers creating sustainable land-based livelihoods. 10
- 11. Sawyer Hill EcoVillage Berlin, Massachusetts Sawyer Hill EcoVillage uses the best practices of sustainable development and land planning. The homes are clustered to reduce carbon footprint, so that over 75% of our 65 acre site can be left as open space, including more than 25 acres of permanent conservation land. Common facilities and a close community encourages sharing of resources and low vehicle use. The latest construction techniques ensure that our buildings are highly energy efficient. The village is comprised of two cohousing neighborhoods. Cohousing is a modern style of residential neighborhood in which some resources are shared in common by the residents. Each family owns their home, as well as a share of the common facilities, which include things like playing fields, workshops and gardens Neighborhood design The layout and orientation of the buildings encourage a sense of community. The residences are clustered on the site, leaving more shared open space. They typically face each other across a pedestrian street or courtyard, with cars parked on the periphery. The front doorway of every home affords a view of the common house Common facilities are designed for daily use; an integral part of the community. They includes a common kitchen, dining area, sitting area, children's playroom and laundry, and also may contain a workshop, library, exercise room, crafts room and/or one or two guest rooms. Resident management Residents manage their own cohousing communities, and also perform much of the work required to maintain the property. They participate in the preparation of common meals, and meet regularly to solve problems and develop policies for the community. 11 “…dwelling units typically clustered to reduce development footprint, various forms of shared common facilities, low vehicle use, and emphasis on neighborhood.”
- 13. 13 Relative Location Thompson Center is a located in the heart of picturesque New England surrounded by the towns Troy, NH, Swanzey NH, and the seat of Cheshire County Keene NH, with a total of about 77,000 people. Its idyllic rural feel belies its convenient location near routes 12 , just 40 minutes from route 2 (and another hour) to Boston and just 13 minutes south from Keene. The site is nestled in in a low range of hills between Monadnock and Pisgah State Park, with easy access to downtown shopping, dining and entertainment. The area has a rich history of agriculture, manufacturing and lumber. Thompson Center for Sustainability and Design is located between Troy and Swanzey town centers in a hilly, wooded area closest to Tolman Road on the edge of Troy. To grant easier access to the city of Keene and Keene State College, a small connecting road from Tolman Road and Rt. 12 will need to be cut and paved. (Dashed line pictured) The Cheshire Rail Trail, just minutes from the access road to Thompson Center what used to be an old railway is now a cleared and maintained path for walking and bicycle travel making an excellent route for cyclists to commute. (Solid purple line pictured) In our early days of this project, the choosing of this site had to do with the amount of undeveloped space this particular plot had. The plot, which Brain Green found on Zillow.com, is a large piece of land that we narrowed down to our approximate 90 acres. The borders we chose within the original plot inhibited the largest piece of flat land which is more ideal to build and grow food on, and also access to a small creek that branches off from the Ashuelot River. Keene (12 min) Swanzey ( min) Troy ( min) Thompson Center for Sustainability To Boston (1hr 40min)
- 14. 14 Existing Elements Site Analysis Geographical conditions Highest Pt. Lowest Pt. Wind Paths comes in from the northwest to the southeast across our site. The hills and mountains surrounding the site acts as a wind barrier protecting the heart of the site from strong gusts. Vegetation The site is densely forested with mostly hardwoods packed into most of the space. The site has a range of species: white pine, red pine, hemlock, red oak and many others Solar The site has plenty of southern sun exposure as it is relatively flat which will make an ideal location for positioning solar photovoltaic arrays. Contour lines at 5 ft. intervals Wind Path Water Site Boundary Vegetation legend N
- 15. 15 Site Analysis Geographical conditions… continued Points of the Site The highest point on the site is located on a mountain top 1,280 feet elevated from sea level, and the lowest point is located at the creek on the eastern boundary of at 1,160 feet above sea level, with an elevation difference of approximately 50 feet. Slope There is a gentle gradient from the west to east, at a ___degree angle at the steepest parts and 3.6 degree angle at the flattest part. Dimensions From the northwest corner to the northeast corner is 2,261 ft. From the northeast corner to the southeast corner is 2,376 ft. From the southeast corner to the southwest corner is 1,973 ft. From the southwest corner to the northwest corner is 2,359 ft. 2,261 ft. 1,973 ft. 2,376 ft. 2,359 ft. Terrain Topographical Map National Map (United States)20 foot intervals 40 foot intervals 1,160ft 1,280ft 1,325ft Steepest section flattest section
- 16. 16 Existing Conditions Tolman Road There are a few features of our site that had to be addresses in the planning process, they include: Two private residences to the north PSNH power lines running directly through the site from the southeast corner to the northwest corner. Both of these prior existing conditions caused us to face difficulties in determining the placement of certain spaces and building locations on our site. Especially farming land and pastures for animals to graze. The low level of residences in this remote, rural area works to our benefit, little to no disturbances will be provoked at either end as for buildings. We plan to pave an access road going between the two residences on the northeast corner of the site to Tolman Road to main travel and the public. A private road being paved over the creek by the southeast corner for trucking does not interfere with any existing properties. There are several safety guidelines when planting trees and shrubs on the property near power lines -PSNH to be able to inspect, provide access, operate elbow connectors and ventilate the transformer, no shrubs, fences, or permanent structures should be placed within 10 feet of the front and within 3 feet of the sides and back of any underground facility - Trees and shrubs must be chosen carefully, keeping in mind how tall they will grow and how wide they will spread when mature. - Low-growing shrubs and small trees (under 30 feet at maturity) may be planted beneath power lines. - Medium-sized trees (between 30 - 50 feet at maturity) may be planted 15 to 30 feet from power lines. - Large trees (more than 50 feet high at maturity) may be planted 50 feet or more from wires. In addition to electromagnetic fields radiating from power lines, another concern sometimes raised by farmers about power lines is that they attract or create so-called “earth currents,” slight electrical currents that travel through the soil. These currents may pass through the ground and cause food grown in the ground from that area to have a positive charge, so we chose to not take that risk and planned accordingly in our agricultural positioning. As for pastureland being near electrical lines, we discovered that the subject is controversial… The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission assembled a scientific advisory committee to investigate claims by farmers that earth currents associated with transmission lines were causing health problems for dairy cows. Harold Dziuk grew up on a dairy farm, earned a Ph.D. in animal physiology, and worked with cows as a professor at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine until his retirement. “If there was any measurable evidence of something different about the power supply and the currents and the fields on the farms that were affected, we should have been able to determine that,” Dziuk said. “That didn’t happen.” Key Private Property House/Building PSNH Power lines
- 17. 17 Bodies of water within 1 mile: Corey Pond New Cummings Pond Small creek (of the Ashuelot River system) The entire site is on a plane that slopes from the west down towards the east and ends at a small creek running out of Corey Pond. Due to the sloping landscape and the rocky soil and sandy loam found on the site, drainage is sufficient. Appropriate drainage is need to stop accumulation of free-standing water In special flood hazard areas the Building Inspector shall determine 100 year floor elevation New buildings must be built above 100 yard flood elevation No buildings closer than 50’ from the high water level of any water source. Minimum 50’ setback form ordinary high surface mark and vegetative wetlands 50’ setback horizontally from ordinary high surface mark New structures cannot increase storm water volume into surface waters Disposal of leachable waste limited to residential subsurface disposal systems Water, Drainage & Soil Types Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Name Drainage 60B, 60C, 60D Tunbridge-Berkshire Complex well-drained 61C, 61D Tunbridge-Lyman Complex well-drained 79B Peru Fine Sandy Loam moderately well-drained 77C Marlow Fine Sandy Loam well-drained 143C Monadnock Fine Sandy Loam well-drained Soil Legend s Soil Type Boundary Line
- 19. 19 Space Needs analysis Buildings SF Welcome Center 8,100 Student Housing (one unit) Cohousing, Earthship, Tiny-house 162 - 16,000 Business & Design Center 40,000 Health Science Building 20,000 Research Center & Labs 22,000 Biodiversity Building 10,000 Amphitheater 7,000 Marketplace (one shop/office) 4,000 Marketplace Library 15,000 Marketplace Grocery 10,000 Marketplace bakery/deli 4,000 Barn 12,000 Greenhouse (one) 4,500 Timber Works 30,000 Maker Space 4,000 Total Approx. 350,000sf Land Improvement Acres Parking .3 Entry Area 5 Housing (units, common space, gardens) 2.6 Quads 6 Central Park 20 Academic Areas combined 2 Marketplace 2 Agriculture (Farm, pastures, barn, greenhouses) 5 Athletic & Recreation Fields 1 Timber Yard 1 Open Space (development land for learning purposes) 45 Conservation Space (wetlands, wooded areas) 25 Renewable Space .2 Total 115 acres As part of the Master Plan process, The Thompson Center’s spaces needs were analyzed through an in depth modeling effort. We made judgments and speculations about the community’s success and growth over the next several decades and planned accordingly. Buildings (space) has been formed to accommodate a small town or a school of 300 students, so ample room has been reserved for more students in the future. As shown clearly in the tables to the right, out of the 115 acres the Thompson Center owns, only 7.5 acres are used for building space. This leaves the majority of the site for open space. This space may be used for several functions, common ground, indirect pedestrian travel, and for the construction of new home technologies for learning purposes. Students here will exhibit their knowledge of green building techniques and systems learned in the programs provided, and be able to live in these homes as temporary residents. Welcome Center Student Housing Tiny House Earthship Cohousing Business/Design Center Health Science Research Center & Labs Biodiversity Center Amphitheater Timber Works Green- house Barn Bakery/ Deli Grocery Library Small Shop Maker- space Renewables Conservation Open Space Rec Fields Timber Works AgricultureCentral Park Marketplace Academic Quad HousingEntrance Parking Notes about this page. The two charts displayed at the bottom are to scale in relationship with spaces within their own chart, but are not scaled in relationship interchangeably between the two charts.
- 20. 20 land Use Program Analysis The master plan establishes a structure for organizing land use on campus. The result of space use recommends a variety of options to create setting relationships through proper space adjacencies. It requires locating programs based on their role and relationships amongst like programs, facility options, and campus land use and spatial organization. Putting an emphasis on academic, residential, and service neighborhoods is the key. These spaces are shown in the diagram at right. The proposed vicinities strengthen academic and agricultural programs along the central park as well as a key northeast-southwest spine from the entrance area to the open space. Student Life is at the core of campus with a belt of natural elements such as open space and conservation land enveloping it. key Welcome Marketplace Park Residence Agriculture Academic Recreation Quad Renewables Timber Space Conservation Land Open Space
- 21. 21 Circulation Analysis Notes about this chart The entirety of the Central Park acts as a method of travel to any space adjacent or in its vicinity Notes about this chart square footage represents the entire space of that entity including the structure and landscape enveloping it until a new space begins We aim to improve public transport and provide better opportunities for walking and cycling, both within the town, and the surrounding area. In the long-term we hope to achieve the highest levels of “sustainable” travel (i.e. by bus, bicycle or foot) through a variety of transport measures. We will seek to have a bicycle path linked to the old rail link (Cheshire Rail Trail) that runs 42 miles from Keene to Winchester, New Hampshire How we will achieve it • We will reduce the need to travel outside the town • We will enable sustainable transport choices for all trips • We will manage car demand within and outside the town Parking and a drop-off area for the marketplace is situated at the head of the site to keep the pedestrian and bicycle aspect highly-favored. Cars are only granted access to certain areas of the site to keep vehicular use at a minimum throughout. Pictured bottom left is a diagram of direct and indirect pedestrian usage between areas of the site. Below is a bubble diagram representation that shows how spaces relate to each other and expresses flow throughout the site. This organizational diagram also indicates the relative importance of the relationships between groups and departments to help in deciding where to locate them. Pedestrian Usage Diagram *Green arrows represent direct use and high traffic Yellow arrows represent indirect use Spatial Relationship/Significance Diagram
- 22. 22 Phasing The master plan proposes that some zones and buildings be built before others. The four here will be done before any housing, academic, farming, or other facility areas. The zones are shown on the map. 1Access Road A trucking way will be paved along with a small bridge to cross the creek above New Cummins Pond. The road will meet with West Hill Road by the southeast corner of the site. This will • Keep heavy trucks from disturbing residences during major building times • Act as a back entrance for maintenance and Timber Works entry. • Keep small vehicles and trucks from having to travel through the site. 2Thompson Timber Works The Timber/ mill yard and accompanying building will come in the master plan after the road to it. This enables: • The rest of the buildings of the site to primarily be built using local timber as well as harvested lumber directly from the site. • On site lumbering and fabrication of building assemblies. • Spark a reputation and interest for building green homes and buildings in local towns. 4 Marketplace A series of small shops and studios with upstairs offices and living space conjoined by common facilities such as a library, grocery store, bakery and deli, health facility, and other spaces. • This will bring in revenue to begin making money for the community. • Bring in local businesses and partners early in the development process • Bring in people from other communities to contribute to the village. 3Main Access Road A small connector from Tolman Rd. to the main entrance of the site will need to be paved. This area runs between two residence properties spanning approximately 500’ apart. W Hill Rd turns into a private road belonging to a stone company on Rt. 12 (Monadnock Hwy) We will acquire this to be used for travel north. • time will nearly be cut in half commuting from Keene and KSC 1 4 2 3
- 24. 24 large map of site The diagram explains the key spatial decisions set out in the master plan which would deliver the environmentally friendly and sustainable vision. It sets outs the immediate context of the environmental features, adjoining towns and where new facilities, the town center, and green spaces will be located. It is important to set this out to avoid piecemeal development but also to be flexible in responding to the future needs and site specific decisions. The master plan proposal map key Welcome Marketplace Central Park Residence Agriculture Academic Recreation Quad Renewables Timber Space Open Space Greenhouses Biodiversity Center
- 25. 25 welcome center Entrance and information area As soon as a visitor walks into the main lobby they will encounter various TVs (running off solar energy) displaying slides and video demonstrations showing: • The monitoring of the Thompson Center’s carbon • Sustainable practices our site uses • How our site produces energy • General concepts of the planets use of renewable energy and technologies • How we maintain strong local connections with everyone in and out of our community • Regular postings and events Building Spaces. The building serves a purpose to enlighten newcomers to our Center and offer demonstrations that display what sustainable living techniques Thompson Center has to offer. Interior spaces include: -Information Desk -Administrative office space -Function Hall -Lobby/leisure space -Leisure Area Spaces. This area serves as a purpose to cross the threshold into the site. It hosts views to Corey Pond and an axial view into the marketplace. -Archway (entryway) from Tolman Rd. -Parking and drop off -Open/green Space -Outdoor Terrace with access/views to Corey Pond As a you are entering the Thompson Center for Sustainability via Tolman Road, you are greeted by a large timber-frame archway. This expresses the threshold into the site as well as setting natural building materials used in buildings across the site. (Pictured right) Here you will find parking spaces and green space in a five-acre vicinity, accompanied by a Welcome Center with an attached function hall for regular town/community-wide meetings and events. The area as a whole is broken into two parts as defined:
- 26. 26 Thompson Center Marketplace A variety of small shops and businesses, and office spaces are compacted into the core of the downtown: Artisan/textile/clothing studio - encourages local artisans, weavers, clothing manufactures. Shop allows the buying of clothes to all students and residents to end the need to travel and go shopping at malls that exhibit poorly sustainable embodied energies. Locally owned and operated businesses providing needed goods and services – mostly local but importing a small number of goods we can’t produce here. Corporations must meet “triple bottom line” standards – good for “profits, people (customers/users) and planet.” Ties, orders, connections to Troy, Keene, Swanzey, Marlboro local business to show connection to outside communities and have sense of security. This helps maintaining peace and order locally with positive external alliances for mutual benefit. Finding and creating local sources of needed resources before they run out. We will encourage investment by businesses and industries, and will particularly seek out those that share our vision of a sustainable, prosperous, environmentally friendly community. Provide training opportunities for residents/outsiders to maximize their employment prospects with the new businesses. Grocery/ Farmers Market Where students will receive their daily meals from, that came right from their gardens or the larger farming fields to ensure fresh food for a healthy and clean diet. Connected will be a Bakery/Deli. Commonplace Where students and people can visit and eat, network, read, work, etc. This space includes the library Health Facility An indoor gym to keep the residences healthy and fit as well as bring in outsiders. Media Office Here students will exhibit the studying and creating of TV programs to promote sustainability and create news program to report useful and important advancements and technologies and third world problems, etc. Held here will be an editing studio, filming studio, graphic design lab and photography labs and programs (integrated with the school) to work on getting out the word or sustainability Location Features. The site’s focal point Connection to the entrance and the rest of the site A split/transition between nature and societal features of the site (learning and living vs. woods, pastures, and fields) Its compact size emphasizes the livelihood of a sustainable community The Marketplace’s Basic Features Attractive and thriving town center with a mix of uses (including community facilities) Furnishings built from Timber Works (reduces carbon footprint, embodied energy’s) Narrow ‘Appian Way’ axial layout that emphasizes pedestrian and bicycle use that reaches out to the rest of the site and outside community Bus stop at the head of the marketplace – safe public transport is seen as a viable alternative to cars Very close to central park, quads and green spaces and has one right in the center (Areas of open space are attractive, safe, accessible and enjoyable) Wherever possible, on roofs, in front of stores have the use of renewable sources (green roofs/ rooftop gardens, solar cells, etc.) Where regeneration and ongoing management is designed with people and nature
- 27. 27 Biodiversity Center Recycling, Water facility Biodiversity This facility is located next to the farm, creek, and tucked into the head of the conservation space (for several reasons): • It is next to the foremost entrance for trail heads that meander through the forests of the conservation space and surrounding area. • Has offices and showrooms for wildlife and safeguard protection for the site and conservation area. • Has a designated area for recycling so people can bring their trash and recyclables. By being in a building located so closely to nature they can see an emphasize on the connection to recycling and our environment and our aim to becoming a less wasteful society. Water and Drainage • There is a space that specializes in treating the site’s water drainage and runoff through technologically advanced sustainable machines that people can examine in action. • In the main lobby room there will be a catchment system that utilizes runoff during storms and melting season at end of drainage ditch to be treated and possibly produce power for the site. Water neutrality by using the existing water supply carefully and by reducing demand and wastage, we plan for the center to be “water neutral”. This means that the water used in the whole of the town, including new development, will not exceed current levels. The Aiken Center at the university of Vermont uses EcoMachines to treat the building’s waste water for reuse, an innovative technology that can possibly be found in buildings throughout the Thompson Center.
- 28. 28 Student Housing The Housing Cluster will be where the full time students stay and live during their time at the Thompson Center for Sustainability and Design. There will be 3 types of living situations for the students. They will be able to choose between a tiny house or micro unit, Earthships, or homes that reach a standard of design via the Living Building Challenge. The tiny homes or micro units will be available in multiple different designs. Students will have the option to build their own tiny house using the materials resourced off of the land. The goal will be to accomplish this with the lowest budget as possible, ensuring the students build and utilize only what they need promoting a sustainable and non-materialistic lifestyle. These homes could range from 300 square feet to as little as 75 square feet. The Earthships are a type of passive solar house that is made of both natural and recycled material, such as earth filled tires. They are intended to be to be off the grid ready homes with minimal reliance on both public utilities and fossil fuels. They will be constructed using only locally sourced available natural resources. They will use thermal mass construction. These homes are often horseshoe shaped to maximize natural lighting and solar gain during winter months. The Living Building Challenge is a building certification program, advocacy tool and philosophy that defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment possible today and acts to rapidly diminish the gap between current limits and the end-game positive solutions we seek. The homes will be set up in cluster like format all facing each other, forming a small neighborhood, promoting a communal and sustainable lifestyle. This allows for collaboration amongst individuals to express their ideas on living sustainably, and embracing a healthy lifestyle. The array also utilizes the suns warmth in cold winter months.
- 29. 29 Environmental Business and design This building will contain all the programs that correlate with majors that have to do with environmental design and business. Within the environmental design buildings they will include all of the following fields: Sustainable Product Design and Innovation, Sustainable and Local Architecture, and Renewable Design. Sustainable Product Design and Innovation or SPDI for short will allow the students to have a solid foundation in artistic, scientific, and technical aspects of product design and the social and scientific aspects of sustainability concerns. Students will create products that call for consumer needs and involve aspects of sustainable production. Students in the Sustainable and Local Architecture department will learn how to design and live sustainably. There designs will use materials from the surrounding and onsite land. They will learn how to use architectural materials and systems selection, site planning, community development and historic preservation are increasingly understood to play a vital role in the reduction of waste in terms of energy and natural resource. In the Environmental Business and Marketing curriculum, students will be incorporating a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, sustainable packaging, as well as modifying advertising. They will get real life experience while working in the Market Place selling goods and managing the stores. The building itself along with all other academic facilities will demonstrate architectural characteristics that practice sustainability. These may include such innovations: • Green rooftops mimic local watershed, depollutes runoff • EcoMachine treats all the building’s waste water for reuse • Solarium where students can study botany year long
- 30. 30 Environmental Science, Farming and Agriculture outdoor learning space This area of campus will contain all buildings that have to do with Environmental Science, Farming, and Agriculture as well as an outdoor learning area in amphitheater form. Within the Environmental Science buildings it will include ecological science, biology, and plant science. Under the disciplinary of ecological science students will study the interactions among organisms and their environment. They learn the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. This will also include the study of biology and plant sciences. Students will have full access to greenhouses and outdoor gardens as well as lab space to perform experiments and research. Under the Farming and Agriculture discipline students will be learning and exceling in techniques of sustainable farming. They will be responsible for the upkeep of a fully functional farm with pasture land, barn, and crop fields. There will also be an outdoor learning center that promotes an alternative way of sustainable education along with integrating students with the outdoors.
- 31. 31 Health Sciences and alternative medicine This area will contain the majors of Health Science and Alternative Medicine. Within the Health Science department students will learn how environmental, socioeconomic, and personal factors influence the health of individuals and populations. The Alternative Medicine program will allow students to examine the mind body connection and it role in personal wellness and well-being. They will understand the role of wellness that plays in the development of sustainable communities. Students will learn the science, theories, and histories of Western and alternative and complementary health care therapies including acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy and Native American healing. They will also understand and learn mind body therapies such as meditation, yoga, massage therapy, and other stress reduction techniques.
- 32. 32 Timber Works and Maker space These buildings will continue with the classic look of New England with a timber frame build and open spaces for maximum work opportunity. Students and community members will have access to a maker space and timber yard. They will have the opportunity to work on projects that require wood sourced from the Thompson Center Site along with full access to power and milling tools to create whatever their minds can think of. These items will be either used for personal use or sold in the Market Place for a profit. Other areas people can freely come to and enjoy the access to are: • Full woodworking shop • Sculpture and pottery tools • Fine arts supplies and workspace • Drafting tables and supplies • Electrical engineering space • Gardening/ landscaping equipment that can be rented/signed out The Timber Works is an architectural and lumbering firm of Thompson Center. They construct prefabricated building assemblies for local buildings on those located on the site. People can take tours and have the opportunity to view and even have their own passive/Earthship/tiny house/living challenge home built for them. Student courses can consist entirely of working on homes and building technologies inside the Timber Works and maker space to further their training and to becoming a sustainable architect, engineer, harvester, and more.
- 33. 33 Agriculture fields, barns, pastures This area of campus will feature all the necessary production needs to run a fully operational farm. This farm will feature a full organic dairy barn with pasture land for the cows. There will also be full scale outdoor organic production fields for growing a wide variety of crops. These crops will be in a rotation depending on growing conditions, including weather and the seasons, promoting sustainable farming techniques. Crop yields will be sold at the market as well providing food for the residents of the Thompson Center people of local communities. There will also be greenhouses that will allow for more food production especially throughout the winter months. Location This area will be located directly east of the market to ensure easy transport of goods. This area was best suited for agricultural purposes for the only deposit of fine sandy loam, ideal for planting. It is a well drained area sloped gently downhill to the creek. Another large factor for this placement decision was the power lines that stretched overhead through the site which may disrupt plant life and give a dangerous electrical charge, so we took the initiative to keep it as far away as possible to avoid that risk. Integration with School There is a field designated strictly for research and training practices. Students will also have full access to greenhouses and other outdoor gardens for studying plant sciences, experimenting, and further researching. Under the Farming and Agriculture discipline students will be learning and exceling in techniques of sustainable farming. They will be responsible for the upkeep of a fully functional farm with pasture land, a barn, and crop fields.
- 34. 34 green spaces quad, Recreational Fields, Conservation space Within the Thompson Center there will be a mass amount of green space (approximately 108 acres out of 115). The Central park will be the largest deforested area. From the center of the park there will be views to all aspects of campus. This park could double as a hay field as well. When harvested, it will be transported over to the dairy barn for consumption. Along with the Central Park there will be a quad for the students who are staying on campus. This quad provides a barrier in between the Central Park and the housing cluster and a place for the students can take a break from studies, sit out, and relax. There will also be hiking trials within designated conservation areas. These will allow education opportunities for the students to learn how to maintain hiking trials and understand the importance of conserving the natural l beauty of the area. Continuing with the outdoor theme there will also be a full size recreation field for sports of all kinds. Open space is also entailed into this section. Most of these spaces are located around major districts of the site, consisted of open fields with sparse trees. These lands are left for the development of student building as explained early in the Master Plan.
- 35. 35 Renewable ENERGY solar/wind The Thompson Center for Sustainability and Education will be setting a leading example of what a sustainable community will look and act like. With that reputation it will have to be a leader in renewable energy. The campus will run off of solar energy along with wind turbines. These energy sources will be visible from the entrance and the market place so immediately when someone enters the campus they become connected with sustainability and renewable energy sources.
- 37. 37 overview and Future Goals After the completion of this project, we hope to see students in the future continue the research and planning to further develop the Thompson Center for Sustainability and Design. In the future we would like to see the collaborative effort between majors at Keene State to bring this project to the next step through student design and studio courses. This includes options of the detailed architectural designs of the site’s buildings and housing. Students could team up, design, and present in front a panel of architects as we normally do at the end of studio courses that could potentially influence actual final designs. Possible efforts to further this to becoming a reality are proposing the refined and official master plan to a planning committee. In the later future, actions for the approval of building, campaigning, fundraising and other necessary efforts for the Thompson Center to be built.
- 41. 41 Thompson Center for Sustainability & Design