As you read this, a 250-KW wind mill is being constructed to provide 85% of the power use of the affordable housing project. Designed by Union Studio Architecture & Community Design in Tiverton, Rhode Island, the 170-acre community has been designed with agriculture and artists in mind.
The rural character and customs of farming in Tiverton — a big part of the community — has been honored in its design. Along with setting aside much of the land within an agricultural preserve, the neighborhood has its own designated place for gardening.
50 cheap rental units and 24 single-family market-rate houses compose the Sandywoods Farm community. It also includes an agricultural preserve that will stay a working farm, with a resident farmer. Half of the renters chosen are working half and artists were chosen via the conventional need-based selection process.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
“The neighborhood has been far more active than expected from the get-go,” says principle architect Douglas Kallfelz. “They really found the right mix of individuals and resulting energy to make this a vibrant and active location.”
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
Open area surrounds the community, because of agricultural and open-space preserves and land trusts.
This type of project is often hard to get through city boards due to setback and zoning requirements, but”we had a good deal of leeway with this endeavor because of their Affordable Housing conduit, and as the website was somewhat isolated from acquaintances,” states Kallfelz.
The former presented a opportunity to cluster housing in an ecologically-sensitive manner, although the latter presented the challenge of creating a community that would intersect well with greater Tiverton.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
“The community garden has taken on a life of its own and is conducted by the residents,” Kellfelz states. Instead of the typical subdivided plots one sees in neighborhood gardens, this one is collective with large beds for different vegetables, and a separate children’s garden. Everyone participate in tending it. The residents recently won a nationwide contest for a free fruit orchard in Your Fruit Tree Planning Foundation.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
Aspects of New Urbanism, such as walkability and front-porch civilization, are a part of the project. And additionally like New Urbanism, it had been motivated by Old Urbanism, otherwise referred to as the New England village. “The project is very derivative of traditional neighborhood plans in New England,” states Kellfelz.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
“Another aspect we borrowed from the traditional New England village is the homes have a strong street edge,” he states.
Front porches have constantly added a sense of community and strengthened interaction between neighbors.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
“The design is a brand new spin on Tiverton’s classic farm typology,” explains Kellfelz. The buildings provide a nod to nearby precedents but have upgraded details and overall aesthetic, which incorporates many sustainable elements.
This includes fantastic energy efficiency. Along with the wind turbines as a source of 85% of their houses’ power, the houses incorporate high-efficiency heat pumps, cellulose insulation, double-hung low-e windows, Energy Star lighting fixtures and fixtures, and passive solar power and porches.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
Sustainable materials used in construction include Tecton fiberglass pre-finished siding, and this is partially recycled, as well as quickly renewable bamboo flooring.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
The growth’s plans protect open space and natural systems while improving life for its inhabitants, supplying beautiful spaces for residents to walk, picnic and play.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
The developer helped foster a sense of community by choosing an Americorps volunteer to arrange and shepherd arts and agriculture applications, run meetings and strategy events. These include art exhibitions, performances and a produce market (with plants from the neighborhood garden) in the neighborhood”Grange Hall.”
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
“The developer wanted a true community building to provide an intersection between this community and the rest of Tiverton,” states Kallfelz. “They did not want it to be segregated, and that Grange Hall-inspired building provides a location for events, the arts, a produce market and a meeting area ”
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
All kinds of events happen in the Grange Hall, such as art displays, a market for the community’s create and also a recent ballet performance of The Nutcracker.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
“The Grange Hall initially had weathervanes on both cupolas, before a farmer told me us that no self-respecting farmer would ever have two weathervanes,” states Kallfelz.
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
The new community hasn’t only attracted individuals from the rest of Tiverton to become a part of it, it has also drawn developments around it. The city recently fixed up what were derelict ballfields adjacent to the website, which are currently connected to the community via walking paths. Additionally, the new city library has been assembled in the entrance to the area (it is also being built by Union Studio Architects).
Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design
More:
Project Tour: New Urbanism in Colorado
The Concord Green Healthy House
Innovative Home, Heated and Cooled by Design