Relational Uprising is a nonprofit institute whose mission is to "build capacity within communities to foster a resilient, interdependent, relational culture of connection and inclusive collaboration through training, experiential group learning and coaching." It works with organizations and movements, as well as individual change-makers, educators, community builders, and youth to foster resilience and interdependence within communities working for social change.
Relational Uprising partnered with the Conway School to design a site plan that builds the organization's capacity to host educational workshops on its Becket, Massachusetts, site, and to create a landscape that facilitates learning, connection, and relationship building.
Relational Uprising would like an education center with the capacity to host up to thirty people at workshops lasting three to five days, with overnight accommodations for participants. Currently, the organization holds its training programs and workshops at third-party locations. These workshops aim to foster relational culture and deep understanding across different scales: within oneself, between participants, and between the participant and the surrounding ecology. This is facilitated through a range of activities, including classroom sessions, somatic exercises, immersive experiences in nature, and storytelling, to name a few. These activities have a range of spatial requirements, including a mix of communal, private, and immersive spaces, and flexible areas for a variety of activities that range from sitting to active movement.
Community engagement for this project included a survey of past participants, board members, and core community members, with selective follow-up conversations to learn more about participant experiences and the spatial needs of workshop activities.
SITE CONTEXT AND HISTORY
Nestled in the Berkshire Hills among upland wetlands and uninterrupted swaths of secondary-growth northern hardwood forest, the site is part of a larger regional ecology with diverse plant and animal species. The site is located in the ancestral homelands of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, in what is now commonly referred to as Berkshire County in the town of Becket, Massachusetts.
While the Stockbridge-Munsee people primarily settled in river valleys, their livelihoods were rooted in the upland woodlands that sustained their community with food, as well as materials for carving and tool-making. Their diet was rich and diverse; they hunted, fished, harvested wild-growing nuts and berries, and grew vegetables in gardens. Food was dried and stored for the winter. Storytelling was a core activity throughout the year as culture was passed down across generations. In the 1800s, the Stockbridge-Munsee people, along with many others, were forcibly removed from their lands by settling Europeans. They primarily reside in northeastern Wisconsin today, but are working to restore legal and cultural rights to their ancestral lands in the northeast (Mohican.com).
Since the 1700s, the site has been tilled and cultivated, used as pasture for sheep grazing, dairy farming, maple sugaring, and apple orcharding. In the 1900s, the site became primarily residential and the forest was allowed to regrow. These centuries of food production were based on an often transactional and intensive relationship with the land. Relational Uprising now seeks to work with the land and repair relationships between humans and their surrounding environment through education and reciprocity.
CLIENT GOALS
1. Well-sited programmatic infrastructure for up to 30 guests
• Dining structure
• Workshop structure
• Lodging (7 to 10 tiny houses with sinks and composting toilets)
• Shared bathhouse
• Sauna and cold plunge
• Equipment storage shed
• Parking for up to 20 cars
2. A landscape that facilitates personal, interpersonal, and ecological interactions
3. Program areas that are accessible for a range of mobility needs
4. Program areas that are well-drained, without pooling water
5. Healthy wetland and forest ecosystems
Project Site
Becket, MA Berkshire County
Rolling hills and wetlands visible off-site looking east. May 2025.
Conway student team and Relational Uprising Co-Directors stand at west end of the 230-yearold farmhouse in a three-acre cleared area of the heavily wooded site, April 2025.
Cuckoo flower
EXISTING CONDITIONS
OVERVIEW
The project site covers about thirty-four acres of land along unpaved Fred Snow Road in Becket, MA. Two parcels on the west side of the road are mostly wooded with about three acres of mown lawn around the farmhouse, a pond, and wooded wetland. The parcel on the east side of the road is owned by a supporter of Relational Uprising and has been offered for use as part of the education center.
CONIFEROUS WETLAND
The northwest corner of the project site is a forested coniferous wetland with dense vegetation and an irregular topography of hummocks and hollows. Hemlock, spruce, and mountain laurel are the dominant woody vegetation types in this area, with a diverse understory of ferns and herbaceous wetland plants. Evidence of former beaver activity is present, but no current activity has been observed.
POND
West of the farmhouse is a human-dug pond that is in the process of filling in with vegetation. The pond merges with the wetland and intermittent stream at spillover points during times of high water after spring melt and large rain events. Cattails and willows line the banks, creating habitat for breeding amphibians. The pond does not appear to support a fish population, making it a good place for frogs and salamanders to safely lay their egg masses in the spring.
INTERMITTENT STREAM
An intermittent stream begins at the southern edge of the wetland and flows southeast, eventually crossing under Fred Snow Road and flowing into the wetland and pond systems downslope. At times of high water the stream spreads out across several channels weaving through the woods. Frog and salamander eggs were also observed here during the spring, indicating it is important aquatic breeding habitat.
DECIDUOUS FOREST
Most of the project site is deciduous forest. Old stone walls are abundant, indicating that the area was historically cleared and used for agriculture and/or grazing. Regrowth is predominantly red maple, sugar maple, beech, and birch trees. The beech trees throughout the deciduous forest on site are declining due to beech leaf disease and beech bark disease, with many dying out.
Focus area
BLUEBERRY MEADOW
North of the farmhouse, at the edge of the mowed area, is a meadow of wild highbush blueberry shrubs. Paths are mowed through this area. There are two old fruit trees, pear and apple, likely planted when the site was used agriculturally. Red maple seedlings are abundant throughout the meadow and will likely continue to grow and fill in if the meadow is not actively managed to maintain low vegetation.
STONE FOUNDATION
Just north of the farmhouse are a series of stone retaining walls, believed to be the remnants of an old barn foundation. They create a terraced effect within the landscape and strongly define the space. The area within the foundation retains water, even long after a rain event when other areas of the lawn have dried out. Perched above the stone walls is a grove of white birch trees, the only stand within the cleared area around the house.
ARRIVAL & FARMHOUSE
The arrival to the property is off Fred Snow Road. From the unpaved road, the farmhouse is highly visible and the driveway entrance clearly defined. Parking is to the north of the house, with room for two to three cars. The main entrance to the farmhouse is currently the side door on the north side. The "front door" on the east, facing Fred Snow Road, is not regularly used.
UTILITIES
All of the utilities for the property are located near the main driveway at the northeast corner of the farmhouse. The house has a dug well, septic tank, and leach field on-site. Electricity comes in from overhead lines off the road. There is also a propane tank and generator.
SOUTHERN LAWN
South of the farmhouse is a large mown lawn with a stand of mature sugar maple trees, believed to be the remaining trees from a historic sugaring operation. The trees appear to be in good health, though they are old and at least one has died and fallen in the past couple years. In the open lawn area there are large grouped plantings of highbush blueberries, lilacs, and roses from a past resident.
SLOPES, BEDROCK, and SOILS
Nestled in the rolling Berkshire Hills, most of the site sits on moderate to steep slopes, with the steepest conditions on the eastern parcel. A band of milder slopes bisects the two western parcels, primarily located under the wetland areas and around the existing farmhouse.
Accessible pathways require slopes less than 5% without a handrail and less than 8.3% with a handrail. Siting buildings on slopes less than 15% will help to keep construction and maintenance costs down. Buildings and infrastructure sited on steeper slopes would likely increase costs and require more intensive site engineering, including regrading of the slopes or the construction of retaining walls or additional foundation work. Accessibility in these areas is also more difficult and would require regrading or built infrastructure to provide access for people with a range of abilities.
The site rests entirely on sulfidic schist bedrock, with areas of shallower bedrock less than six feet from the surface, as indicated in gray above. An area of shallow ledge bedrock in the south lawn creates a lumpy microtopography.
Buildings sited in areas of shallow bedrock may require geotechnical guidance to ensure proper stabilization. Piered footings for elevated structures can be drilled into bedrock and sometimes reduce construction costs. However, schist can be prone to splitting, and additional measures may need to be taken to stabilize structures in sloped areas.
The chemical nature of the bedrock also impacts site conditions. Sulfidic bedrock can make soils more acidic, and in turn, make heavy metals in the soil more bio-available, which is a primary concern around the house where lead has been detected. Plants that prefer acidic soils will grow better on the site, and food should not be harvested from plants grown inground in contaminated zones.
Site soils were created by erosion, crushing, and depositing of particles by glaciers. The resulting till is composed of a range of particle sizes, from sand and gravel to larger boulders. The sandy nature of site soils tends to result in well-draining conditions, which are well suited for septic tanks and gardens alike. Finer particles can accumulate at local low points, retaining water better and creating wetland conditions.
The site's land uses since the 1700s include cultivation, orchards, and dairy farming, all with potential impacts on soil conditions including contamination from pesticides and fertilizers or soil compaction from large equipment or livestock trampling.
Four soil tests were taken in spring 2025: in the blueberry meadow, in the old barn foundation, around the main house, and in the south lawn. The soil sample taken around the house returned with elevated lead levels of 146ppm (relatively safe levels are considered to be below 22ppm, according to the UMass Soil Testing Lab). High-lead soils pose risks to human health when disturbed, with possible uptake by plants. Soil should be held in place around the house, with any gardens sited near the structure in raised beds with a sealed base to avoid uptake. Elevated aluminum levels were found in the blueberry meadow, which can inhibit plant growth, but does not pose health risks to humans. While aluminum occurs naturally in soil, it can lower yield for food-producing plants, so other areas of the site may be more suitable for foodscaping.
Shallow Bedrock
HYDROLOGY & WATER MOVEMENT
A range of factors influence the movement of water on site, including soil conditions, slope, and site history.
A band of hydric soils bisects the western parcels, as shown in blue in the graphic to the right. Hydric soils are composed of finer particles that settle at local low points and result in poor drainage and higher water retention. Water generally moves eastward across the western parcels, either across the surface, via the intermittent stream, or through a few old agricultural stormwater interventions including a stone box culvert in the old barn foundation or through a swale that was dug along the old barn driveway. Upon reaching Fred Snow Road, water is directed into storm drains and carried northward along the street until it is released into the eastern parcel where it flows in multiple small channels down to the wetlands below.
There are two main areas of pooling within the existing cleared area: the old barn foundation and in the south lawn. Pooling in the south lawn is likely caused by shallow bedrock that creates ledges, directing water to pool at micro low points in the lawn and near the pond. Additionally, this area has hydric soils which hold onto water and prevent quick infiltration. A percolation test in the south lawn took several hours to drain just two inches. On the other hand, pooling in the old barn foundation is likely caused by soil compaction from past uses. These areas of pooling impact potential program areas. Wet spots should be vegetated with plants that thrive in wet conditions, and any program areas in wet spots should be elevated to avoid disturbing the soil, or could be regraded to divert water elsewhere on site.
River Watershed Rudd Pond Sub-Basin A A' SITE
SUB-BASIN
The site sits near the top of its sub-basin, which means that water moves onto the site from a relatively small land area. Because of this, flooding is of minimal concern on the site. However, to mitigate flooding downslope to the east, designs should avoid disturbing hydric soils in order to maintain the site's water storage capacity and prevent increasing water flow off the site.
Westfield
HYDRIC SOILS
Section A-A'
Intermittent Stream
Forested Wetland
VEGETATION & WILDLIFE
Deciduous Forest
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
White Birch (Betula papyrifera)
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides)
Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)
Trillium (Trillium erectum)
Northern Hardwood Forests cover most of the site. This habitat supports a diverse range of large wildlife such as moose, deer, bear and bobcat. These mammals with large ranges rely on expansive swaths of uninterrupted forest. Many birds including turkeys, owls, woodpeckers, and nesting birds can also be found in these deciduous forests. Salamanders and wood frogs spend much of their lives in the leaf litter, venturing to nearby vernal pools to breed. Spring ephemerals, including trout lily, are a pollen source for native bees. (Vermont Fish and Wildlife, 2025).
Wet Coniferous Forest
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Red spruce (Picea rubens)
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
False Hellebore (Veratrum viride)
Goldthread (Coptis trifolia)
Almost half of the northern parcel of the site is a dense forested wetland, which extends onto the southern site parcel and into the property north of the site. The edges of the wetland are coniferous forest. Forested wetlands are an interesting blend of aquatic and upland habitat features and support a range of wildlife. The forested wetlands found on this site are predominantly hemlock with a dense understory of mountain laurel growing on slightly drier hummocks. These areas are home to wrens and warblers, beavers, mink, black bear, and several species of salamanders. (Vermont Fish and Wildlife, 2025).
Grass Shrubland
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Grasses
Red Maple Seedlings (Acer rubrum)
Lawn
Turf Grass
Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)
Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta)
Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
Pond & Pond Edge
Cattails (Typha latifolia)
Willow (Salix sp.)
About two-and-a-half acres around the farmhouse and pond are kept open by mowing and maintained as lawn and shrubland meadow. Open habitats of shrubland, meadow, and edges are especially important for birds, small mammals, and insects. With many historically open farm fields reforesting, these open habitat types are decreasing in the northeast. (Tutein, 2017).
Regional Patterns
Habitat and wildlife patterns across the site extend beyond property lines and connect with broader regional patterns. This region supports tracts of largely uninterrupted hardwood forests, coniferous forests, wetlands (both open and wooded), and smaller areas of shrubland, meadow, and lawn (generally around human development). Wildlife can move long distances both north-south and east-west without much interruption by roads and development. The Berkshires and Taconic Highlands in Western Massachusetts are a key linkage between the Hudson Highlands in New York and the Green Mountains in Vermont, providing habitat corridors for wildlife (Nature Conservancy, 2025). Maintaining these wildlife connectivity corridors is important to support the range of diverse habitats and wildlife within the region and across the Northeast. (Map below shows major movement north-south and lighter patterns east-west.)
Design Implications
The diverse range of habitats and wildlife provides opportunities for an immersive experience for visitors.
Construction of new buildings and increased human activity may disrupt or destroy important wildlife habitat.
deciduous forest
coniferous forest forested wetland shrubland lawn
SUNLIGHT & CIRCULATION PATTERNS
Sunlight Patterns
Within the cleared area around the farmhouse, sun exposure shifts throughout the year, but general patterns can be observed. The lawn areas to the south, west, and north of the house get the most sun exposure, especially the area directly west of the house. The sugar maples in the south lawn and large trees along Fred Snow Road shade the southeast side of the house and lawn. The blueberry meadow at the northern edge of the cleared area gets less sun exposure across the seasons. Dappled sunlight filters through the canopy cover in the deciduous and coniferous forests and wetlands across the property.
Existing Circulation Patterns
Current human circulation patterns are concentrated in the cleared area around the farmhouse. The wetland and intermittent stream limit significant use to the southwest due to the challenge of crossing wet terrain. Defined circulation patterns are guided by the unpaved road and gravel driveway (too steep for accessible path. There is an old driveway that is still passable by vehicles, but not regularly used (shown with the dashed orange line). Undefined circulation happens across the mown lawn and between dispersed gathering spots.
Design Implications
With the future development of the education center, more defined circulation patterns will be desired. This will include the need for a clear and pleasant arrival (the current arrival brings visitors directly into parking at the end of the driveway), a clear vehicular circulation pattern, defined and accessible paths between program areas, and immersive paths across the landscape.
Design Implications
Areas of sun and shade have a significant impact on how a space feels and functions. Current informal gathering areas take advantage of existing shade under the large trees that are dispersed through the lawn. The design of the education center should take sun exposure into consideration when siting program spaces, outdoor gathering areas, and food production gardens. Utilizing areas of high sun exposure as well as planning for areas of shade throughout the landscape. The central area of the site receives the most sun, while areas directly south and east of the house are shaded most of the time.
SPRING SUMMER
FALL
Vehicle
Old driveway
Gather
VIEWS ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE
The three acres of cleared area around the farmhouse and pond has largely open sight lines, creating a sense of expansiveness but lacking definition of human-scale spaces and a feeling of prospect and refuge or discovery.
The pond is a key focal point of the landscape, and offers both visual interest from afar and an immersive experience at the pond edge where it is teeming with life, especially in the spring. The client desires to maintain views of the pond within the central area of the property
The stone retaining walls that may once have supported a barn create a tiered layering effect within the landscape and define a central space of the property. The birch trees perched above the walls provide a strong vertical element, drawing the eye up and back into the meadow and forest. The client views this area as the heart of the property and desires to highlight this feature.
Areas of the property, such as this section of forest edge near the pond, are dominated by invasive species like knotweed and bittersweet. These plants disrupt the structure and composition of the natural plant communities and can quickly take over. The client is actively managing some of these areas and would like to fully eliminate areas of invasive plants across the property.
The southern section of the eastern side of the property is highly visible from Fred Snow Road, allowing direct views both into the property and of the road looking out from the south lawn. This creates a feeling of unwanted exposure within the southern lawn. The client desires to screen this area to create a more private program space in the south lawn. Large sugar maple trees line the stone wall along the road, creating canopy cover but not providing screening.
As visitors arrive at the property via the driveway, they are met with views of the propane tank, generator, and septic mound. The current arrival experience also brings visitors directly towards a view of parked cars at the end of the driveway. While these utility elements need to remain easily accessible for maintenance, the client would like to screen them from direct view and create a more welcoming arrival experience.
SUMMARY ANALYSIS: BUILDING CONSTRAINTS
The four most prominent site constraints—property setbacks, wetland buffers, steep slopes, and forest cover—are overlaid to identify the favorable buildable area with lowest cost and ecological impact. This area, shown with negative space, shows the existing cleared area of the site that lies outside of legal setbacks, which should avoid wetland permitting and regrading, and minimizes the disturbance of wetland soils and the surrounding forest.
ZONING
The three parcels that make up the site each have a front setback of 40 feet, which begins at the stone walls that denote the property boundaries. The parcels also have back and side setbacks of 20 feet. Building construction is not permitted in these areas. This is particularly relevant at the property boundary that divides the western parcels, creating a 40-foot nonbuildable zone that overlaps a cleared and relatively flat area of the site that is favorable for building siting. Without legally merging the two parcels, the 40-foot setback area must be observed. While buildings cannot be sited in the setbacks, other program infrastructure, like pathways, gathering areas, or parking, could be sited there.
WETLAND BUFFER
The Wetlands Protection Act of 1972 mandates a 100-foot non-buildable buffer around wetland areas and intermittent streams. The buffer also applies to the pond, despite it being dug. The wetland buffer, shown in blue hatching, restricts uses and requires special permits from the local Conservation Commission. Any activity that disturbs wetland soils within the buffer zone requires advance approval, including the construction of structures, removing existing vegetation or adding non-native vegetation. Siting structures in previously disturbed areas or on dry soils, or taking additional measures to avoid soil disturbance such as elevating structures on piered footings can mitigate environmental impact within the buffer zone and make the permitting process easier. Minimizing disturbance of hydric soils helps to maintain the soil's water storage capacity and protect the wetland ecosystem from runoff or other impairments.
SLOPES
As discussed on page 3, the site sits on moderate to steep slopes across much of its acreage. Siting structures or pathways on steep slopes requires additional site engineering and interventions, increases cost, and makes accessibility more difficult. Slopes less than 8.3%, as shown in white and gray, should be prioritized to keep costs lower and make program areas more easily accessible for participants with a range of mobility limitations.
FOREST COVER
Approximately 30 of the site's 34 acres are forested. In order to maintain the health of the forest ecosystem, construction should avoid disturbing forested areas as much as possible. Tree removal also increases construction cost. There are several areas of the forest that are impacted by pests and are in decline, particularly beech groves, as shown in the below photograph, providing opportunities for siting structures without disturbing healthy forest, thereby minimizing the environmental impact.
Declining Beech Grove
Forested Wetland
Wetland Buffer
Intermittent
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN EXPLORATIONS
Dense & Dynamic Choose Your Own Adventure Circle Up! Immerse Yourself
Keeping structures and program areas outside all legal and environmental setbacks, this design creates an education center that is dense and navigable, lowering construction and operational costs and limiting ecological disturbance by staying within the existing cleared area and stacking functions.
+ Lower construction cost (fewer structures, materials, permits, and surveys required)
+ Minimizes ecological disturbance by siting program infrastructure in existing cleared area
+ Pathways are easy to follow and accessible
- Single lodging structure provides less private sleeping quarters
- Less immersive experience with fewer paths and gathering spaces nestled in vegetation
Meandering pathways and a variety of gathering areas invite visitors to explore the different habitats on site while minimizing disturbances within the wetland buffer. This design maintains the southern lawn as a flexible activity zone.
+ Immersive pathways inviting guests to engage with several habitat types on site
+ Strategic siting of tiny house clusters in already disturbed areas to minimize disturbance
+ An elevated boardwalk through the old barn foundation allows wet area to be revegetated to mitigate water pooling while still engaging guests
- Siting structures in wetland buffer and zoning setbacks would require permits and surveys
- Workshop and parking sited in wooded areas would require clearing of trees, increasing cost and disturbance
Bringing circles to the fore, this design encourages the sharing of spaces and stories, while providing visitors with opportunities for private reflection near the pond and immersed in the meadow. A natural swimming pool in the former barn foundation invites visitors to take a cooling dip after the sauna. The tiny houses avoid the zoning setbacks while creating a dense village that encourages guests to build community throughout their stay.
+ Invites visitors to engage with the pond and provides pool for water-based somatics and leisure activities
+ Large selection of gathering areas provides space for small group and private activities
+ Creates tiny house village with central patio
- Dense tiny house groupings decrease privacy
- Tiny house village requires some forest clearing
This design offers visitors a variety of lodging options, with tiny houses clustered in open and wooded spaces, as well as more remotely in the forest for a more private experience. A dock and wading area allows visitors to engage with the pond, while the main gathering space is nestled among berry bushes and fruit trees.
+ Range of tiny house settings provide guests a selection based on their interest and comfort level
+ Prioritizes accessibility for lodging, dining, and workshop spaces
+ Increased pond access
- Turns the south lawn into a meadow with minimal path access
- Requires the most active pond maintenance
FINAL DESIGN OVERVIEW
This final design, in two phases, centralizes program areas around the house, defines circulation patterns, provides visitors with a range of lodging options, and defines space for shared and private experiences. Raised garden beds and native foodscaping encourage dynamic interactions with plants and provide seasonal harvest for meals shared during workshops. Immersive spaces in or near the woods, the pond, the meadow, and the food forest engage visitors and showcase a wide range of indigenous plants that provide a variety of sensory interest and support wildlife.
Program areas are centralized near the heart of the site, with dining taking place on the first floor of the renovated garage, and the second floor used as workshop space in phase one. A 30-foot circular yurt, nestled in the woods, will host workshop sessions in phase two of the design. An "aquatheater" combines amphitheater-style seating with three small swimming pools for water-based somatic modules, nestled in wet meadow and slightly elevated to avoid pooling water in the foundation. A 15-person sauna sits just steps away above the foundation, well positioned for cold plunges after sauna activities. Enveloped by the meadow, the fire pit faces the pond and provides visitors with a cozy space to circle up, share stories, dance, and reflect.
Lodging takes the form of ten tiny houses north of the central program area. Split into three clusters, wheelchair-accessible tiny houses are located closest to program areas and the shower house in the existing blueberry meadow adjacent to a plaza with outdoor furniture. The second cluster, sited in a declining beech tree grove, provides visitors a lodging experience nestled in the woods, while the northernmost tiny house cluster provides visitors with the most remote experience while still in company of other participants. Tiny houses are designed to sleep three to four people. The two western parcels will be merged, allowing tiny houses to be sited in the flat and disturbed area within the setbacks.
Slopes less than 5% allow circulation to be anchored by a north-south corridor of five-foot-wide, wheelchair-accessible pathways that connects the main program areas on site, from the healing hut and tiny houses in the north and the food forest and trail network in the south. Accessible offshoots from the main corridor connect visitors to the sauna, wooded workshop yurt, and fire pit. Meandering paths in the meadow provide visitors the chance to wander and find more private seating areas for reflection or small group activities. For more information on circulation and accessibility, see page 11.
The meadow serves as a transition space as visitors move from one program area to another. A range of pathways intersect the meadow, providing direct access to program spaces as well as the opportunity to meander and find more privacy. A robust plant palette creates a meadowscape of beautiful colors, textures, and fragrances, inviting visitors to learn about native grasses and wildflowers as they wander through. While the lawn is greatly reduced, the meadow provides increased visual interest throughout the year, and is a versatile feature that can be mowed to create space for larger events. The sunniest part of the site, several trees are added in the meadow to provide shade for gathering spaces and pathways. Wet-loving meadow plants are sited in areas of pooling.
When visitors arrive for a workshop, they will drive up the existing driveway, have the opportunity to drop off luggage at the front patio, and will continue northward along the old barn road. In phase one, parking is sited in the right-of-way along Fred Snow Road, with approval from the town. In phase two, a dedicated parking area is sited to the north of the old barn road, allowing for a higher volume of cars, tucked away in the trees. Once parked, visitors will walk through a gap in the stone wall and through the food forest (phase one) or on a trail that connects phase two parking with the welcome patio, where folks will be offered refreshments and welcomed by Relational Uprising.
Meal-sharing is a core activity of Relational Uprising's workshops. While dining primarily takes place in the renovated garage structure in this design, large barn doors on the north and south facades allow for meals to spill out into two patio spaces. To the south of the house, an outdoor dining patio sits among raised beds growing herbs and vegetables, shielded by the southern sun with a retractable awning, while a patio to the north of the house connects to the existing driveway, creating a flexible space that can be used for larger events. A covered breezeway on the south of the house connects the kitchen to the various dining areas.
Raised bed gardens are located in two spots: the perimeter of the outdoor dining patio along the south side of the house, and on top of the septic mound to the north of the house. The beds along the patio offer herbs, spices, and other wildlife-resistant crops, while the fenced-in garden on the septic mound is more favorable for vegetables.
The food forest in the south lawn showcases a wide range of food producing plants native to New England in a dynamic and multi-layered forest with harvests taking place throughout the program season. Species are arranged in increasing height to harness their full sun exposure, while hardier trees block westerly winds from less hardy species, and wet-loving plants are sited in hydric soils where they may thrive. Designed to educate visitors about the bounty of the native ecology, this food forest will support programming around food harvests, jam-making, and meal-sharing while also providing food for wildlife.
This design will be implemented in two phases, with the majority of site engineering, building construction, and landscaping done in phase one. Phase two includes the northern parking lot and the workshop yurt located just northeast of the pond. In phase one, workshop activities take place in the dining structure and parking occurs in the right-ofway along Fred Snow Road. We recommend the healing house be constructed during phase one, so utilities do not need to be run out into the woods in both phases.
DESIGN DETAIL: ARRIVAL AND CIRCULATION
Legible and accessible pathways are essential when welcoming guests to the site, and for the flow of programming as workshop participants travel between different program areas throughout their stay. For both the arrival experience and the network of pathways connecting program areas, routes are direct yet experiential, inviting guests into the meadows and woods rather than circumventing them, integrating the landscape with the pedestrian experience. Key thresholds are located between program areas, allowing guests to decompress and transition between parts of the day, or take a moment to connect with the landscape. While visitors move, whether it be from the parking lot to the welcome patio, or the dining hall to the tiny house village, they are invited to immerse themselves in a landscape that engages all the senses, from striking visual displays to a wide variety of edible plants.
Arrival
Upon arrival, vehicles pull into the main driveway and are greeted in their vehicles by Relational Uprising staff at the welcome patio, where they can drop their luggage and receive directions before continuing north down the old barn road. In phase one of the design (shown in yellow above), cars park in the right-of-way on the west side of Fred Snow Road before starting their journey back to the welcome patio. The path takes visitors on an enchanting walk through the food forest, along the south side of the sugar maple lawn and the outdoor dining patio, then around the west side of the house before arriving back at the welcome patio. In phase two (in red), instead turning back onto Fred Snow Road after pulling through the driveway loop, vehicles will continue into the parking lot on the north side of the property From there, they will take a short walk through the woods and along the east side of the aquatheater before arriving back at the welcome patio for refreshments. ADA parking is located to the east of the dining structure and adjacent to the welcome patio, with the flattest and shortest journey to the main program areas.
Circulation & Accessibility
With the main program areas located on slopes less than 5%, the majority of pathways on site are navigable by wheelchair. Accessible pathways made of trap rock gravel (in green) provide access to all communal program structures and gathering spaces, as well as the food forest and pond overlooks. Steeper paths, such as to the parking lot and the raised beds north of the house, are not accessible by wheelchair at 8.3%, but meet ABA standards. In the food forest, stepping stone trails branch off from the main, accessible pathways to provide access to fruit and nut trees for harvest and maintenance. While these trails are not wheelchair accessible, the main pathways travel through berry batches and by smaller fruit trees so people of a range of abilities can participate in harvesting. Two points, south of the pond and in the food forest, connect the main path network with trails that lead visitors through the secondary growth hardwood forest to the southwest.
DESIGN DETAIL: FARMHOUSE
Landscaping around the 230-year-old farmhouse is enhanced to increase the legibility of visitors' arrival and an area that serves as a focal point for both visitors and Relational Uprising staff.
DETAILS
The entrance to the education center utilizes the existing driveway and the old farm driveway to create a one-way looped arrival experience. The farmhouse remains prominent and visible from Fred Snow Road, but is framed by increased vegetation. The addition of a fence at the northern edge of the driveway screens the propane tank and generator from view. Consistent driveway material guides vehicles to continue along the driveway heading north to the parking area. A material shift near the side door of the farmhouse differentiates between the driveway and welcome patio, which is designed to accommodate vehicular use when needed for deliveries and accessible parking. The welcome patio serves as a central touch point of the education center, becoming the place where guests pause when arriving by car to check-in and drop off luggage before parking, and return to via walking paths before beginning programming across the site.
The addition on the western side of the farmhouse includes dining space on the ground floor and workshop space on the second floor (eventually workshop space will shift when the circular structure is constructed at the edge of the woods overlooking the pond. At that time, the second floor of the addition will shift functions to become more art studio space). From the ground floor, indoor dining space extends to an outdoor dining patio on the southern side of the addition, framed by raised bed gardens with views into the permaculture food forest. A covered walkway extends along the southern face of the house to connect the kitchen space in the main farmhouse with the indoor dining space and outdoor dining patio. The welcome patio north of the addition can also serve as outdoor dining space for larger events.
Food production is centered close to the house, while taking precautions to avoid the lead contamination in the soil directly adjacent to the building. Raised beds along the dining patio are not enclosed in a fence, and should therefore be planted with deer resistant plants such as aromatics and herbs. Fenced raised bed gardens are sited on top of the septic mound north of the farmhouse. The removal of several ash trees along the western edge of the septic mound increases the amount of sunlight in this area, making it suitable for annual garden plantings. Fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, and other perennial edible plants are planted in the food forest south of the farmhouse (see Food Forest detail page).
DESIGN DETAIL: MEADOW & POND
Colorful blooms and engaging textures provide immersive gathering space for connection with the landscape while preserving and increasing critical habitat types for local wildlife.
DETAILS
An expanse of meadow along the eastern edge of the pond preserves sight lines to the pond from other parts of the property and creates a soft flowing atmosphere to the space. Nestled within a clearing in the meadow, overlooking the pond, is a fire pit with space for participants to gather in the evenings. A sweep of taller meadow vegetation (Joe Pye Weed and New York Ironweed) creates a semi circle enclosure around the space, shielding it from view and creating a moment of discovery along the approach. Shrub plantings on the northern edge of the path partially block the view of the fire circle from the workshop at the edge of the woods. Smaller overlooks to the pond are situated at the north and south ends, providing more solitary and immersive experiences for participants. into the pond, a remnant of historic use, can be utilized for pond access and wading. Although the pond is not suitable for swimming, some selective vegetation management could allow for occasional wading. Any vegetation removal (i.e. willows and cattails) will require permission from the local conservation commission.
LAWN TO MEADOW TRANSITION
Transitioning the existing grass lawn to meadow can be approached in multiple ways. Simply stopping regular mowing and allowing whatever plants are in the seed bank to emerge is one simple option. If more control over species composition is desired, there are multiple approaches. Removing existing turf grass can be accomplished through smothering, scalping, scorching, or tilling. Establishing the desired plants can be done through direct seeding, installing plugs, or a combination of methods. Direct seeding will result in a more mixed matrix of plants, whereas placing plugs and plants specifically can allow more species control and result in larger masses and drifts within the meadow landscape.
Seeding a Meadow (Fall or Winter)
1. Combine seed mix with a carrying agent (sawdust, kitty litter, sand) to help evenly distribute the seeds and provide a visual of where you have already seeded. More species are better in seed mixes, as it's never guaranteed which species will establish on a site.
2. Distribute seeds evenly, ensuring they have soil contact (hence the removal of existing vegetation).
3. Different mixes for sun, shade, and moisture levels are recommended.
4. Let nature do the rest! The meadow should begin sprouting in the spring.
5. (OPTIONAL) You may consider planting an annual nurse crop in the spring to hold the soil in place and keep weeds at bay while the meadow seeds sprout. Annual rye and partridge pea are great options.
Planting Plugs (Early Spring)
1. Plant plugs directly into the ground, close enough so mature plants will crowd out weeds.
2. Mulch between plugs to keep weeds at bay in the first year.
3. Minimal, if any, watering the first year, unless there are drought conditions.
MEADOW MAINTENANCE
1. Cut back undesired species as they appear. As the meadow grows taller, plants that have been cut back will be smothered out. Do NOT pull out from the root; it disturbs the soil and may impact surrounding plants.
2. Once the meadow is established, mow each spring (April is ideal) and leave cuttings on the ground so the nutrients remain in the system.
3. Some plants (like black-eyed Susans) are early meadow species, and will phase out as the meadow ages and other, longer-term meadow species establish and spread. When you mow, you can spread additional annual or early-meadow species that will keep your meadow extra colorful and flowering each year to your liking.
Meadow
Pond Ramp Fire Workshop
Seating
Trail Connection
Linden Linden Birch Birch Birch
DESIGN DETAIL: THE AQUATHEATER
At the heart of the education center, framed by the historic stone retaining walls and grove of paper birch trees, an elevated wooden platform sits within a wet meadow landscape.
DETAILS
This immersive program and gathering space highlights the wet nature of this spot, allowing it to flourish as a wet meadow for program use by building an elevated platform on piered footings. up through the base. Areas directly under the platform are planted with low growing groundcover. Three pools are set within the platform, serving as somatic exercise space and cold plunges for the sauna which is located just to the north. eastern edge of the platform. Two small patios at the top of the retaining walls overlook the platform area. The western patio, under the birches, and the amphitheater are aligned so that a live event or musical performance could be staged on the patio and viewed from the platform area below.
The driveway and walking path located to the east of the platform are screened through a series of plantings. Small trees (Serviceberry and Witch Hazel) line the edge of the driveway, providing a visual cue to guide vehicles. Dense shrubs of varied heights fill in the area between the driveway and walking path, providing screening and a clear distinction between vehicular and pedestrian spaces. the platform is planted with slightly less dense areas of shrubs, allowing occasional glimpses into the meadow and gathering space as visitors walk along the path.
Cross section of the transition from path to aquatheater platform. Depth of gravel base and helical piles will depend on conditions of the soil and substrate and weight of the structure
Minimal grading required for the elevated platform to meet the grade of the accessible path. A threshold stone will mark with this transition.
DESIGN DETAIL: VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS
Three groups of tiny houses, each with their own unique character, are nestled into the landscape at the northern end of the property.
DETAILS
Accommodations for workshop participants take the form of tiny houses, clustered in three groups. Each tiny house has three bedrooms and a bathroom with composting toilets and a sink . Water is supplied through rainwater capture from the roof. A group of four tiny houses is arranged in a semi circle at the northern edge of the cleared area. These tiny houses are fully accessible with the bathroom and one downstairs bathroom meeting ADA requirements. The porches of these four tiny houses overlook a meadow and fruit trees in the courtyard of the buildings. This group is also located closest to the shared shower house. Slightly farther back in the woods is a second group of tiny houses. These three buildings are sited within the wetland buffer in a dry area where a stand of beech trees is dying out. Due to the sensitive nature of this area, these tiny houses are built on piered footings to minimize disturbance and are accessed by a raised boardwalk path. Trees planted in cutouts in the boardwalk provide a place to hang hammocks, giving this cluster of tiny houses an elevated treehouse feeling. The final group of tiny houses is located farther to the north and is nestled into the woods. These three tiny houses would also be constructed on piered footings to minimize disturbance. Electric lines will need to be run to all of the tiny houses.
A shared shower house is located just south of the tiny house clusters. It is a circular building providing eight showers, three toilets, and sinks. A small patio courtyard lies to the northwest of the building. Water lines are extended to this point on the property to supply the showers, toilets, and sinks. All buildings north of the shower house operate with rainwater systems and composting toilets. The shower house is sited in a location that is accessible to guest accommodations, the workshop at the edge of the woods, and the central program areas.
DESIGN DETAIL: THE FOOD FOREST
A lush and productive system of native food producing plants provides bountiful harvest throughout Relational Uprising's programming season. It also nriches the surrounding environment, and supplements workshop meals with food grown onsite, deeply engaging participants in a reciprocal relationship with the site landscape.
The permaculture-inspired food forest located in the south lawn combines groundcover, herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees in a productive and resilient system that showcases the bounty of New England's native food producing plants. In contrast to the intensive food production that took place on site after colonization, this food forest is diverse and enriches the soil and wildlife around it. A core part of Relational Uprising's programming, this food forest provides visitors with the opportunity to learn about the local ecology and connect deeper with the land through food. Cultivating food on site in this way has a range of environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, providing food and habitat for wildlife, and reducing emissions associated with national and international food systems. Food produced on site can have a much lower carbon footprint than food produced elsewhere by removing inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, eliminating transportation, and selecting plants for the appropriate conditions. It allows visitors to eat seasonally and engage with foods indigenous to this region in a reciprocal exchange that benefits the land and local wildlife.
Within the food forest, groundcover provides living mulch for trees and shrubs, fix nitrogen, and serve as the foundation of the nutrient cycle within the system. Trees and shrubs are strategically placed to take advantage of existing microclimates, with species that thrive in wet soils sited in areas of water pooling, and understory shrubs making productive use of shaded areas. Taller, localized tree species like apple, pear, and serviceberry create a wind buffer for less hardy species like peach, pawpaw, and persimmon. With sun exposure to the south, species increase in height to the north, from the lowest herbaceous crops like asparagus to the tallest chestnut trees, to maximize sunlight hours and photosynthesis and supporting higher yields. Nitrogen fixing shrubs and groundcover are planted in the root zones of fruit trees, making nitrogen more available, encouraging growth and fruit production. Beech wood from site, removed due to declining health and to make space for a tiny house village, can be inoculated with shiitake and oyster mushrooms and scattered throughout the forest understory
A main circuit of stone paths provide access for pedestrians and can also support a golf cart for maintenance and harvest. The paths link to the parking area along Fred Snow Road, and guide guests on an enchanting walk upon arrival. Small, stone stepping paths meander through berry patches and fruit trees to increase access for harvesting as well as provide immersive walks through the diverse forest garden.
Forest gardens, including food forests, make the most of available nutrients and resources on a site by maximizing vertical space with seven key layers that extend from the deepest roots to the tallest canopy in the system. Strategic siting of species enables resources such as sunlight, water, and nitrogen to cycle through the system efficiently and helps to increase food production while building a diverse community that is more resilient to pests and climate change by building and maintaining its own microclimates at different layers.
PLANT PALETTE OVERVIEW
The categories highlighted on this page correspond with plant palettes on pages 17-19, which provide details on plant species that include botanical names, height and spread, sun and soil preferences, and harvest and bloom time.
Trees & Shrubs
A wide array of trees and shrubs are featured in the design and serve a variety of functions including shade, color, texture, wayfinding, and shaping gathering spaces. These plant species range from canopy trees to understory shrubs, all of which are key to the form and function of the site design.
Meadow
Meadows replace areas of lawn on the property, providing heights, colors, and textures that can change throughout the seasons. Meadows are a declining habitat type in New England and serve as important spaces for wildlife, including pollinators, songbirds, and rodents.
Wet Meadow
The problem is the solution! Wet meadow plant species thrive in moist soils and can tolerate standing water, creating colorful displays in areas currently managed as lawn and are otherwise inaccessible due to water pooling.
Herbaceous Perennials
This herbaceous palette ranges from shadeadapted to sun-loving species, helping to define select gathering spaces and pathways with colorful blooms and striking textures.
Foodscape
Showcasing the bounty of native food producing plants, the foodscaping palette is the foundation for the food forest, where plant species cooperate to produce a diverse yield of nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables while simultaneously enriching the soil and providing food and habitat for wildlife.
Sensitive fern
PLANT PALETTE I: FOODSCAPE
Tree Peach Prunus persica
Tree Chestnut (Hybrid) Castanea sp.
Tree American Wild Plum Prunus americana
Tree Hazelnut Corylus americana
Tree Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
Tree American Persimmon Diospyros virginiana
Tree Pawpaw Asimina triloba
Shrub Red Mulberry Morus rubra
Shrub Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
Shrub American Cranberry Viburnum opulus var. americanum
Given current uncertainties regarding tariffs and other financial conditions, accurately estimating future costs is extremely difficult. The cost estimates on this sheet are approximations based on current prices which may fluctuate wildly, and cannot predict future contingencies.
PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE (PAGE 2 OF 2)
Given current uncertainties regarding tariffs and other financial conditions, accurately estimating future costs is extremely difficult. The cost estimates on this sheet are approximations based on current prices which may fluctuate wildly, and cannot predict future contingencies.
