An appropriate architectural fit was key to revitalizing this 72-acre land trust farm while maintaining its link to the community.
In its hey-day, it was a working farm with an apple orchard, a pasture for grazing sheep and a maple syrup producing forest. But under the land trust, any new construction was limited to a one-acre area with a buildable footprint of only 1800sf.
But as a trust site, the farm provided the surrounding community with open access to the trails that wove all through it. Indeed, the farm has become known locally as a “community park.”
Seeing their role more as land stewards than property owners, the new, young owners – well versed in sustainable design and organic farming – embraced the challenge of bringing the farm’s resources back to life.
Inspired by local building types, this 860sf Hobbit-Modern residence uses a traditional timber frame that, in turn, is covered with a thick blanket of insulation. Its intricate joints are fastened together mostly by wood pegs.
The residence now quietly joins the ranks of the apple trees in the freshly pruned orchard. A newly planted organic garden produces fresh vegetables. Cows graze again in the pasture and local hikers and mountain bikers trek through the newly managed forest.
The farm has come back to life!
See the Apple Arch House on Meditch Murphey Architects.