List and Links to Landscape Circle Community Eventss
January 21 2021
Community Landscape Survey
February 2021
Landscape survey Results
March 3rd 2021
Landscape Exhibit
April 24 2021
Landscape Presentation by Heather Heimarck
Jan18 2022
Landscape Presentation by Heather Heimarck
Feb. 17 2022
Review of Landscape Plan, Presentation and Salon
April 1 2022
Paver information and appearance shared by email
April 6 2022
Community “dot exercise” for paver selection
April 14 2022
Patio Boxes and Plant Selection Presentation and Salon
April 12 2022
Plans and information at community discussion outside. Last meeting, End of design phase, April 22nd. No objections among participants, including those who later objected.
April 24 2022
Lime drawing and community discussion outside. Full Circle. Consent to Landscape Plan sought.
May 24 2022
Conversation with Heather Heimarch about replacing the upper edge bed with grass or groundcover.
June 27th, 2022, Email Exchange with Heather
Hi Heather,
As for changing all the planters, I would not mind larger boxes everywhere, but looking at the plan I thought it might impact the size of the gardeners supply boxes. It would also add cost. If you don’t think many people would pick up the size difference…I would not make the change.
As for the bed, yes, I forgot the stones. And they are already ordered I believe.
Eva
Hi Eva,
I wouldn't hazard a guess over the expense, one could look at the plantercraft website and see the difference in cost, add shipping, overhead and profit...additional stepping stones, this may or may not be covered already depending on how tight to square footages Atlantic ordered the pavers. The change to add the strawberry, it shouldn't be too much. I think we have to submitt the change order and see what Atlantic says-
Question- If we change 4 of the planters to 48" sq, what prevents us from changing all of them to be bigger? Please confirm it is only 4- the contractor is submitting items for review and approval as we speak and I need to give clear direction. This may be one of those things where it feels like the difference is a big deal but in reality, very few people will visually pick up the difference.
Heather
Hello Heather,
Here is Annie’s mock-up of what the group would like; "it gives us around 8 feet of low, walkable groundcover in the form of wild strawberry plants, with a stepping stone path through the middle, but also preserves a good number of the lovely pollinator/wildlife-friendly middle-sized plants that we would have really missed if we went only with low groundcover.”
Annie agrees it is not a design, but a concept. However, the strawberries are a must. The stepping stones and strawberry throughway should be a minimum of 8’ wide. I don't thin'k it needs to be direct and completely straight, but will defer to you. The ilexes are coming out. '
The new boxes should be 30” x 48” x 48”—four of them. Seems to me they can be accommodated without changing anything else—except for the “small trees” going into them. See below.
If you have an idea about cost for these changes, including your time— or just an estimate--please let me know. The managing board will probably not approve any extra costs at this point, so the group has to pitch in.
All my best, and thank you,
-Eva
May 24th 2022, Conversation with Heather
It turns out, with the addition of a continuous trench drain, the planted edge beds play less of role for storm-water management. As I am no longer a member of the drainage circle, my information was not up-to-date. I apologize for that.
On the other hand, Heather had a lot to say about the environmental impact of the trees and the under-planting and their importance for supporting life and the ecological development of our yard.
Eliminating the bed and the ferns and perennials in ⅓ of the bed dedicated to ecological goals, ,would be a major step back for our number one priority, as evidenced from the landscape survey. Grass for mowing is about the worst plant if your goal is to support the environment, and does not invite pollinators and birds. Every square foot that is not lawn is a victory for the environment.
Additionally, the planted bed protects the two trees. It prevents compaction, protects the tree roots from being trampled on and their trunks from damage from mowing and weed-whacking.
The perennials (hay-scented fern, blue flag iris and milkweed) will attract pollinators and ensure a healthy aerated soil where bugs and larva can thrive.
As for the compromise of replacing the perennials with ground cover, here is Heather’s take:
Groundcovers tolerate a few people walking on them occasionally. None of them survive for any length of time being stepped and stood on--at for example community parties.
She mentioned a few possibilities for the toughest groundcovers, if we insisted:
Clover can be left un-mowed and stepped on. It tends to die back, needs frequent replacement, adds no visual interest and does not support pollinators.
Pachysandra is a non-native ground cover that can take abuse and some foot traffic, but is not supporting our environmental goals.
Ajuga is one of the toughest ground-covers for steeping on. It is slow to be established and needs protection at first, later frequent attention and a person dedicated to its maintenance.
From Heather’s email last night:
“When it comes to the lawn to spine edge what do I consider the most important? The trees and the lights- this is the items to throw ourselves on our swords for. Why? The much-desired shade, the sense of the trunks alone the spine creating a spatial and mental impact on how the users perceive and react to the space.
“The beds- now that there is a continuous trench drain, the beds are doing little for the storm water absorption from the building and patio; the water from these sources are ebbing collected in the trench drain.”
“The beds do a lot for pollinators, nature play, color, seasonal interest, controlling foot traffic--which is not a bad thing-- they do help to control foot traffic to be primarily confined to the openings (and we have talked about some variations to that theme).”
“The beds also protect the tree trunks and roots from compaction, weed whackers and mowers, preserve healthy aerated soils and limit all the other activity that can be hard on urban trees.”
“What is the best understory for trees? Not lawn, not pavement or "steppers", but healthy soils with organic leaf mulch and some plant beds.”
Finally, a reminder of the community objectives for landscaping, I have attached the survey from February 2021 to refresh your memory of what is important to people.
In short, 41 people out of 58 possible responses to the survey. Each person had 50 points to use on 27 items. Over 200 points were allocated to a single item: supporting the environment- way above any other item. Combining this with the wish for shade, people allocated ¼ of all their points– 500– to these two related issues. Cutting back the rim bed reduces the area where the ecological goals are realized by 30%.
Description of the changes after community meeting
To combine the proposed plan with the adjusted plan into a hybrid to reflect what participants appeared to agree on at Tuesday's meeting:
1) eliminate the round patio
2) keep intact the WE “birch grove” corner
3) widen the lawn area along one patio edge bed (between the two 12’ entrances to the lawn) by one or two feet or to the extent such a change are still recommended by the landscape architect. Some shrubs in the same bed will need to be eliminated.
April 6th, 2022 Heather's Statement of intent for CCH design
The planting design for Cambridge Cohousing project has been a challenge based on the many different goals, priorities and opinions. Over the course of the past year the landscape circle and I have tried to balance salvaging specimens (mostly non‐natives), tree protection, with the opportunities poised by construction, a chance to bring in predominantly native species to support wildlife, pollinators and butterflies and general ecological services; species that are better suited to the mixed soils, raised planters, and an unirrigated, low maintenance native garden. Many advocates for native species and sustainable design will underscore that environmentally sensitive design has to be beautiful in order to be sustainable, people notice and care for things that impactful. There are many studies on the healthful benefits of exposure to nature, the delightful gains garnered from biophilia; I don’t think we should be ashamed to confess that there are aesthetic goals as well as an environmental goals in the planting design. Developing a palette and planting in repetition, groves, or masses helps to build up the legibility of the plant characteristics, I often equate it to music. Yes certain plants can and should take their turn to be soloists but we also need the strains of the orchestra to make that soloist shine. Residents may be familiar with the HighLine in New York, a wonderful planting design by Piet Oudulf who develops an intense understory as well as overstory, as one walks the highline you pass through several plant communities. We too are trying to establish plant communities/palettes for the West End Campus. There is more that could be done with ephemerals and bulbs but not now, right now we are establishing the work horses of the garden. The birches and associated plants are inspired by the plant community along a woodland’s edge...the breadbasket of the woods.
Lets walk through the seasons of the planting design.
Winter‐ the west campus features mostly existing and proposed deciduous trees and shrubs, the birch grove is augmented with disease resistant white birches at both ends of the spine along the lawn. The design features a predominance of grasses along the spine planters that should be left uncut until early spring so the seed heads and the stalks fill the planters throughout the snow flurries and the rains of winter. The red berries of the winterberry (Ilex verticillata) “en mass” will provide a wonderful display of welcome color. Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is a soft broadleaf evergreen which is used to gate the stack entrance and give it a more communal/wayfinding emphasis. The witch hazel or pussy willow, if we have them, will start to bud and draw attention in February. The corten patina of the planters will also add color to the muted tones of winter.
Spring‐ the grasses will be cut back, a subtle but noticeable spatial change occurs with each season of the garden. Spring is open, long views, life on the ground plane is appreciated. The bigfoot geranium (semi evergreen), bearberry (evergreen) , Solomon’s plume and Lucerne grass will all break ground ahead of the hay scented fern which will follow not long behind. All these plants, especially the geranium and hayscented fern will colonize overtime to fill in the “vacuum” and empty places not used for other plants. As trees and shrubs bud out the vibrant green and reds of new growth is a welcome sign that spring has arrived. The red bud will be among the first trees to bloom followed later new viburnum and amelanchier accompanied by the existing dogwoods, magnolias and cherry tree. Spring is a garden of blooming trees and shrubs.
By summer the grasses in the planters will be gaining size again and accented with wildflowers like long blooming flat topped golden alexanders and spikey torches of liatris, and the long discrete quiet blooms of the Lucerne grass. The lawns perimeter will be full of surprises, butterfly and pollinator material, long blooming columbine, long blooming coneflowers, coreopsis, and phlox with fleeting short iris and native milkweed all supported by the ferns, low grasses, and s flowering shrubs including hydrangeas. The textures are soft, blowy, and tolerant of foot traffic and being picked. The views are more layered than, not as long as the spring views. There is a lot to catch the eye yet enough of a pattern to make it comprehensive.
Many of the summer blooms will extend into fall, the garden should not be cut down but allowed to go to seed, remain tall until spring. The views are a little more open as the leaves fall; leaving the planter’s grasses and perennials uncut provides a middle ground. Fall will bring the russet orange tones of the grasses, the deep maroons of the oaks with the sunny yellow of the birches with the mottled watercolors of the amelanchier and viburnum. Leaf litter should be removed from the lawn but encouraged to stay on the ground in the garden beds, trees and shrubs are nurtured by their own leaf litter, part of the brilliance of how nature sustains her own creations. To the extent possible, think of the garden like the forest floor, selectively transplant and move things over time as the garden fills in, remove unwanted volunteers, welcome surprise guests and seedlings.
Nature loves a vacuum and nature takes advantage of disturbance: if we do not plant, rigorously, after disturbing the soils, nature will plant for us, most likely volunteer species which will be of an invasive nature. The more we can promote the colonization of species we desire on the ground plane and that will fill the voids over time, the better off the maintenance regime will be in the long run.
I hope this narrative helps to explain the ideas behind the plant selection. It is based on plant communities, micro niches, native plants, and low maintenance as well as a desire to create a “there‐ there”, a sense of a larger whole, an orchestra that plays together rather than a subdivided set of discrete bands. It is based on movement, flowing, soft plants that are activated by the wind. It achieves, I hope, our design goals.
April 5th 2022 Email from Heather to Landscape circle, alternative trees in boxes
I resurrected this old plant memo, it doesn't really apply to where we are now with the smaller planters and the more rigorous native planting. It does provide some ideas for an alternate to Ilex verticillata (Winterberry) such as Witchhazel (there is vernalis and intermedia, blooms slightly different times and color, I think vernalis is the native but I didn't check). Amelancier is a lovely small tree that will take the light conditions in the west end but it is found in wet soils so watering will be important. The hawthorne is another small tree, we would have to get a thornless variety which is likely to be a "nativar" and not strictly native. There is another plant document we prepared that I'll look for to send along, I think it concentrated on small trees, large shrubs.
Here is the dwarf birch....it also likes it wet as it is a cultivar of River birch.https://www.monrovia.com/fox-valley-dwarf-river-birch.html The images here are not flattering, very dense, pruning will be needed to create a nice open form.
A coarser but fabulous character plant is oakleaf hydrangea but it may be hard to find one that is worthy of being used alone rather than in a massing. For the hydrangea in the lawn I think we should use "smooth hydrangea" arborescens rather than macrophylla to stick with our native criteria. https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/finding-right-plant/native-hydrangea-sustainable-choice-discriminating-gardeners
I'll send more thoughts as they come...pussywillow! Fast growing, will need pruning but so wonderful this time of year when the toes develop.
Landscape Circle Draft Agenda and Notes
3/2/2022 4:30PM
Present: Susan, Anne, Heather, Gwen, Eva (notes)
Check-in
Approve agenda
Announcements
Next meeting
The landscape circle will be participate in a joint meeting with the patio circle on wednesday the 9th at 3:30.
Ways to cut back on landscaping based on Phil’s notes
We will modify the transplant program
(high labor cost) to save about $30,000. This means mpt using our existing plants and trees in the tree boxes. Small things could be saved by strong co-housers. Some new native species could be planted instead and still save money.
Also saving about $30 by not completing the re-paving the central entrance path.
Landscape Circle notes, Monday 1/31/22
Present: Eva, Susan and Anne. Gwen was absent. Notes by Anne and Eva
Comments and corrections to OPM’s annotated Preliminary Drawings of Patio Reconstruction Project
1. Tree Removal Review
Correction: Birch on corner of WE access path and spine, near clothesline on lawn marked for removal should be saved as far as possible.
Please Review: Birch trees in Birch Grove Area (between #101 and #102 along spine are marked for removal. Please review to see if at least two of the three can be saved. Drawings shows just two, but there are three. One is close to the patio, two are further in—5’ or 6’ from edge.
Boxed trees (and other) transplants
With Heather, identify and show on a drawing what goes where.
2. Clothesline
Correction: To be removed, but not returned.
3. Work in the East Patio Area.
Reminder for change in language: East patio Renovation instead of Extension.
Drainage and water proofing work will destroy and upend much of that area, including the living room garden, and the surrounding concrete paths.
We need to pay for restoration, whether it is thoughtfully done, or just put back without thought. This is an opportunity to make the space accommodate more tables, make it more useable and welcoming for the future. Raised beds are added for growing herbs and plants, add new seating with storage. New tree in a raised bed to create shade on dining patio. All reflect community priorities.
New paving, wherever possible, will be permeable. Loss of green area to pavement is minimal.
4. Correction to Landscaping Plan:
On the long “grave” bed: remove benches at the Southern edge of the bench. Move the Northern edge bench w. storage next to the one facing the playground. Instead on the Northern edge, extend the bed to the edge of the path. Remove stepping stones on the corner, replace with low shrubs.
Reminder: Move walk-way overhang support column (currently w. a down spout in the triangular garden) to accommodate new walking path. Integrate into new gutter plan.
5. Redefinition of Paving Areas
Main patio paving area (1 including WE Access Path and East Patio Restoration area)
Main Entrance access path (resurfacing) (2)
Bike Parking (resurfacing) (3)
5. Paver Selection
Agreed to reommended Hanover Prest Pavers, 12” x 24”, 12” x 36”, 18” x 24”, or 18” x 36”—sizes to be explored. Thin, such as 1 ¾” to allow more play in grading.
Simple pattern, standard colors, perhaps random order of different colors.
Perhaps subtle color change for public paths? Explore possibilities with Heather. Community salon and dot exercise planned for next week. Is paver type and color decision possible by the end of next week?
6. Review of Priority Scope and Supplemental Scope (Phil’s added sheet)
Priority:
1. Transplanting of boxed trees—where do they go? Discuss w. Heather next week?
2. Paving areas to be: Main patio, WE access path and the East Patio Restoration area.
3. Restoration of Garage Perimeter (trees, lighting pylons, planting bed, stepping stones, East Patio restoration, trench drain?)
4. Restoration of Birch Grove area (#102 garden, #102 patio, rain garden)
5. Restoration of WE Access Path (re-grading, retaining wall, same paving material as main patio, but thicker for trucks)
6. Added: Lawn restoration (grading, fine grading, soil improvement, seeding, core aeration, reseeding)
7. Added: Restoration of Patio Tree Boxes (6)
Supplemental Scope
a. Long planters along the spine, incl. soil and plant material
b. Main Entrance access path resurfacing (area 2)
c. Bike Parking resurfacing (are 3)
Note:
Landscaping Circle recommends resurfacing the Main Entrance Path with matching pavers now. Current surface not in good condition. Will cost more later, but be a cost-effective upgrade now, while we have workers and machinery on site, momentum—and an assessment. Notes from Landscaping meeting
Jan 24th 2022, Landscape Meeting Notes
Time: Jan 24th, 2022, 1PM-2:30PM
Present: Anne, Susan, Gwen, Eva (notes)
Meeting called on short notice to discuss next steps with Heather at end of this week. We have been asked to provide her with community decisions as to not impede her progress.
Agenda:
How best to get input on community preference of specific paver choices.
Discuss line items from Heather’s preliminary list and determine what to include in base scope.
Decision to exhibit paver choices --pictures, description and request a sort of dot exercise. Plans for quick action.
Unanimous decision to include everything discussed and shown in Heather’s plan in base scope.
Decision to add price items and to reframe others to be more inclusive and to better communicate our reasoning for specific items to be addressed in the project.
The idea is to eventually present the scope as a the landscaping proposal to the MB. It is not yet ready for prime time.
Overburden design will be the focus of salon, January 18th 7:30pm with Heather.
Also discussed the scope of basic landscape elements to be priced.
Landscaping Base Scope, refer to latest plan from July 2021 in dining room
Overburden paving system
scored concrete slab
clay fired bricks
economy pre-caste concrete paver 2’x2’
higher quality precast paver, woodgrain look (1’ x 3’)
Replanting existing trees
Renovation of patio edge, new trees, plantings, stepping stones
Lawn restoration
Restoration of access paths from street, incl. grill area.
Add and Deduct Alternates
Patio extension towards main door
Concrete/unit pavers
Free-standing planters
Fate of locust and birch along patio edge Tree. Heather’s input:
● Nobody wants to remove mature trees. Atlantic promises precautions, but 50/50 if trees (locust and birch) along edge will survive.
● Locust has very shallow roots that will be damaged during construction—both during vertical waterproofing of wall, from heavy equipment and from storing stuff on the lawn. Birch has deeper roots.
● Even if a tree survives, it may be weekend and die soon after.
● Optimal time to plant new trees is when refilling the trench. New trees can be fairly large caliber. Within 5-10 years may reach third floor height.
● Good opportunity to plant trees at optimal spacing, light and good growth. New species chosen to benefit wildlife. New trees will be stronger species than existing locust.
Budget
Heather and Phil strongly suggested to refocus efforts on an overall project budget so design can be chosen with clear limits in mind and not waste money on a design that cannot be built. In August our professionals created an estimate of total cost, that is useful as a guide. Sub-circle to revisit.
Landscape Meeting Notes
Time: Jan 24th, 1PM-2:30PM
Present: Anne, Susan, Gwen, Eva (notes)
Meeting called on short notice to discuss next steps with Heather at end of this week. We have been asked to provide her with community decisions as to not impede her progress.
Agenda:
How best to get input on community preference of specific paver choices.
Discuss line items from Heather’s preliminary list and determine what to include in base scope.
Decision to exhibit paver choices --pictures, description and request a sort of dot exercise. Plans for quick action.
Unanimous decision to include everything discussed and shown in Heather’s plan in base scope.
Decision to add price items and to reframe others to be more inclusive and to better communicate our reasoning for specific items to be addressed in the project.
The idea is to eventually present the scope as a the landscaping proposal to the MB. It is not yet ready for prime time.
Landscape Circle Draft Agenda and Notes
June 3 /2021 10AM
Present: Heather Heimarck, Stephen Godanis, Gwen N., Anne, Eva
Update from Heather after meeting with WE group, Still reworking layout of planters. Suggested expansion of patio over current flower bed. Discussion of lighting and alternatives to lighting on planters.
Group agreement that signaling the spine as a public pathway is important (lighting design, planter layout and plant material. Also that landscape decisions should be coordinated with Phil and the patio engineering process and schedule (September)
We touched on the need to explore with community gentle guidelines for neighborly consideration of overall visual impact of entire patio and entry areas, including on private spaces. To take place outside our interactions with Heather. ButHeatherwill reconsider options for storage on the patio.
Next steps:explore layout of vegetable raised beds, placement of grill, lighting options with vignettes.
Next meeting with Heather and Landscape Circle: June 10th 2:30PM
Jan 5th 2022
Present: Phil Dowds, Anne, Susan, Gwen, Heather Heimarck, Eva
Overburden design will be the focus of salon, January 18th 7:30pm with Heather.
Also discussed the scope of basic landscape elements to be priced.
Landscaping Base Scope, refer to latest plan from July 2021 in dining room
Overburden paving system
scored concrete slab
clay fired bricks
economy pre-caste concrete paver 2’x2’
higher quality precast paver, woodgrain look (1’ x 3’)
Replanting existing trees
Renovation of patio edge, new trees, plantings, stepping stones
Lawn restoration
Restoration of access paths from street, incl. grill area.
Add and Deduct Alternates
Patio extension towards main door
Concrete/unit pavers
Free-standing planters
Fate of locust and birch along patio edge Tree. Heather’s input:
● Nobody wants to remove mature trees. Atlantic promises precautions, but 50/50 if trees (locust and birch) along edge will survive.
● Locust has very shallow roots that will be damaged during construction—both during vertical waterproofing of wall, from heavy equipment and from storing stuff on the lawn. Birch has deeper roots.
● Even if a tree survives, it may be weekend and die soon after.
● Optimal time to plant new trees is when refilling the trench. New trees can be fairly large caliber. Within 5-10 years may reach third floor height.
● Good opportunity to plant trees at optimal spacing, light and good growth. New species chosen to benefit wildlife. New trees will be stronger species than existing locust.
Budget
Heather and Phil strongly suggested refocusing efforts on an overall project budget so design can be chosen with clear limits in mind and not waste money on a design that cannot be built. In August our professionals created an estimate of total cost, that is useful as a guide. Sub-circle to revisit.
Jan 26th, 2022
Email: Eva to Phil and Heather
Hi Phil and Heather,
The Landscape circle met on Monday to discuss the scope of landscaping. We worked off prices and line items we had from the August document. Our circle came to unanimous agreement, that pretty much everything on that list and as shown in the plan is part of the base scope.
We are now trying to put these landscape elements into a context of the original desire of the community—trees, shade, places to play and to socialize-. We are also emphasizing the need for restoration of areas that will be impacted by construction—and added the example of restoring the birch grove area, including the Nelson garden and patio, the grill area and a rain-garden. Also missing from the original scope was restoration of the WE (truck) entry path.
Here is our work document of the landscape elements—beginning the process of creating a proposal. Once we have a better handle on this information, the Landscape Circle should present it as a proposal the MB before taking it to the community.
Please add comments or suggestions. Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself here—we have not completed the discussion in our circle yet, nor with the two of you. But I sense an urgency—so here it is.
-Eva
DRAFT Jan 25, 2022
Elements of Landscape Plan Preliminary Prices
1. Site Preparation
Tree removal $ Transplanting boxed trees $2000
Subtotal
2. Utility Upgrades
Extended water service, 2 new hydrants $1,500
Electric service on motion sensor for low voltage lights $-------
Subtotal
3. Path Lighting
Low voltage pathway (10) $15,000
4. Spine Edge Restoration and Shade Remediation
Replacement and addition of new shade trees (ea. $1750) $7,000
Patio Edge under-plantings (grasses, ground cover, perennials) $3,397
Stepping stones for lawn edge $
Tree planters and lower linear planters along spine $ Compost, trees and plant material for planters $
Subtotal
5. Lawn Restoration
Fine grading and seeding $6,300
Reseed and core aerate $5,000 Subtotal
6. Dining Patio Restoration and Shade Remediation
Extend paved seating area at Common Living/Dining area $7,500
2 raised planter beds near the dining room (f. shade tree/herbs) $15,200
Resurfacing of main street entry path $ Shade tree for larger planter box $1,500
Compost for raised beds $3,115 Subtotal
7. Restoration of WE Birch Grove Area
Rain garden plant material $2000
Replacement trees? $ Grill area (flagstones, picnic table, planter/storage box) $6,650
#102 garden (moving/replacement) $ #102 patio reconstruction $ Subtotal
8. Restoration of WE Street (Truck) Entry
Paving with matching material $
Rebuild retaining wall $
Subtotal
9. Restoration of Patio Western Edge?
Tree and plant replacement near #103 and #104? $
10. Play and Social Interaction
Storage benches near play area $
2 lawn seating areas (flagstones) $
Street side “waiting bench”? $
Water bladders $150
Subtotal
Removed:
Tables, chairs, shade sails
September 29th, email from Heather
Hello Landscape Circle,
Wishing you all the best. I had a chat with Philip today and he asked that we stop work on Cambridge Cohousing until the important decision regarding the paving and stormwater strategy is resolved. I can see the logic in this approach and am happy to comply. This means that Anne and I will not be tagging existing trees for community input next week nor will there be any HLD participation in Landscape Circle meetings or otherwise until Philip asks us to re-engage. In the meanwhile, I do want to make you aware of a landscape cost and impact regarding the potential of a “lip” or step down along the spine (pavers on granular fill solution requires a lip along the spine to drain the subbase) which has to do with the current elevation of the lawn. Currently the lawn slopes from the existing spine to the garden by the Richdale Ave retaining wall at an average of 1.7%, this is slightly less than the standard practice minimum of 2%. I assume the current water flow across the lawn performs reasonably well other than select compacted areas. Now imagine you loss 6” of cross pitch because there is a step at the spine, now there is less than 1% cross pitch (an average of .6!) which implies there will be the need to create a raingarden somewhere, at the spine or at the existing garden as well as a more general regrading of the lawn depending on the design. It also means that the cost of the “lip” should include more sitework than the other options in order to cover the work required to drain and regrade the lawn. I just wanted the landscape committee to be aware of this point as your community balances the pros and cons of different approaches.
Sincerely,
Heather
January 11th, 2022
Phil to Heather and Eva —
Sorry, but I’m not yet getting it together at my end. I believe we’re looking to price out ...
“BRICK”: But we do NOT want clay brick; we DO want a cast concrete unit that looks like brick. You mention an option from Ideal, but the .pdf still shows a clay brick from Glen Gery, and mentions a concrete brick by Unilock. No specifics for the Ideal concrete brick.
ECONOMY CONCRETE PAVER: ???
HANDSOME CONCRETE PAVER: I see some nice stuff from Techo-Bloc (linear paver “Borealis”, rectangular paver “Everest"), and by Unilock (rectangular paver “Umbriano”). Is one of these more economical than the others, and intended for the economy alternative?
Do I have the most up-to-date .pdf?
January 5. 2022, Email from Eva to Landscape Circle
Together with Phil’s notes, I have these notes to serve as minutes.
Overburden design will be focus of salon, January 18th 7:30pm with Heather.
Also discussed the scope of basic landscape elements to be designed and priced. Please see Phil’s document B. Landscape Scope.
Heather’s input when asked about locust tree:
· Nobody wants to remove mature trees. Atlantic said they will take precaution, but 50/50 if trees along edge will survive.
· Locust has shallow roots that will be damaged during construction—both during vertical waterproofing of wall and from heavy equipment and storing stuff on the lawn. Even if tree survives, it may be weekend and die soon after.
· Time to plant new trees is when filling in the trench. New trees can be fairly large caliber, at optimal spacing for light and best conditions. Species will be a stronger than locust and good for wildlife. Within 5-10 years can reach third floor height.
Heather and Phil both strongly suggested to refocus efforts on an overall project budget. In August our professionals created an estimate of total cost, that is useful as a guide.
The community should buy into a certain top amount before we start costly design process for stuff that never gets built because of cost.
January 4th, 2022, Eva to Landscape Circle
I suggest we prioritize what the Landscaping Circle needs in order to seek meaningful input from the community before the Full Circle Meeting and how HLD could help with that.
And determine next steps, time table, agree on date for salon.
Specific items from the July 6th plan (displayed in the living room) includes:
1. Paver design. How best to help the community understand choices and make informed decisions: Supply make and model, pattern and color, material, cost etc. Settle on three or four possible choices with a variety of characteristics. Also show possibilities for concrete design. Check Warsaw, Ideal Concrete.
2. Pathway lighting, in plantings on lawn side, or on planters? Or did we settle that already?
3. Large tree planter box near children’s room?
3. Extension of the patio near main entrance (eastward expansion)? Would it trigger new permits for expanding paved surface?
4. Clear design for WE (not main) entrance. Redesign topography and allow for truck access to lawn. Integrate paving with patio. Currently not part of scope.
5. Reworking of design of bed and benches near main entrance next to play structure.
6. No decision needed yet on planter boxes, plant material, and trees, but we need to include an allowance?
Anything else?
January 3rd, 2022. email from Eva to Heather
Hi Heather,
Hope this finds you well. it has been awhile and I am happy that we can resume work on the landscaping now. Lots of water under the community bridge, now trying to stay focused on going forward. Not surprisingly, we are now having to rush after months of discussions that went nowhere.
I think the priority is to settle on pavers, perhaps start with a choice of three different price ranges that we can bring to the community. And should we look at physical samples? Thinking we should also meet as a group and with Phil the sooner the better. Just a heads up and a very Happy new year to you!
September 15 2021, email from Heather
Hello Landscape Circle,
I chatted with Philip last week. It sounded like I should be meeting with the Landscape Circle soon to pick up the dialogue and address any outstanding design issues before we begin CD’s. In my mind we still need to resolve: native plants vs transplants; new planting design; Paving design/products (A. concrete B. Hybrid) assuming the site grading stays the same for both (i.e. no step down at the lawn), anything the Circle would like to add to the list.
Shall we look at setting up a time for meet? If we want to target next week the best day for me is Wednesday Sept 22.
Items that will affect Construction Documents:
Final low pedestrian light will be identified during CD’s (the process is yet to be identified)
New wood planters- community build or not?
Alternate paving design (hybrid)
Philip and I were thinking it would be best to document the entire master plan (new water supply, grill area, extended patio, etc.) for pricing. Areas can be pulled out as needed once overall contract prices are identified.
Best
Heather
May 10th Update by Phil Dowd
Patio Replacement and Waterproofing Update
Preamble.
For a couple years or more, our favored West End patio renovation involved precast concrete pavers raised on pedestals above a waterproofed structural deck; this scheme would allow almost all rainwater and meltwater to run through an air cavity underneath the walking. Recent detailed studies, however, have revealed several significant difficulties that are hard to remedy:
From our “as-built” drawings of record, we expected the air cavity to be around 8” in height; but since the garage roof is not built as shown in these drawings, the actual cavity available is more like 3” in height. This limits our options for draining and heating the cavity.
Draining out run-off below the walk-on surface creates challenges that discourage grass flush with patio, and make it harder for water to flow away from the building and disperse into the lawn.
Pedestal pavers are among the most expensive of our surfacing solutions. And,
Heating pedestal pavers, to prevent “black ice” and ice dams, would make this approach wildly expensive.
Ingenious design and engineering could probably overcome these challenges ... but the Drainage Sub-circle is pessimistic that all of this can get worked out and solved at a price tolerable to the community.
Our Current Favored Solution.
Based on input from our engineers and construction manager, we’re now in the final stages of evaluating a different approach: A liquid-applied waterproofing and traffic coating technology manufactured by Kemper System America (https://www.kemper-system.com/CA/eng/home/). Key features and benefits of this approach include:
Full restoration of the originally permitted strategy for draining the southwest quadrant into our Pretty Good Lawn;
A top-quality, modern waterproofing solution requiring no compromise in critical details of flashings and pitch-to-drain;
A walk-on surface contoured to keep water from entering the many doors fronting on the patio;
Elimination of leaking into the garage;
Heated pathways that will remain free of dangerous “black ice”;
Relatively few issues in joining the patio to the lawn, plus more flexibility in landscaping at the patio’s edge, and a chance at saving the big trees; and
A completed waterproofing job costing significantly less than pavers. Expected savings will be somewhere in low six figures, presuming one compares the heated slab option to the heated paver option. Overall, the Drainage Sub-circle is looking to trim at couple hundred thousand dollars off the earlier estimate for pedestal pavers.
The walk-on traffic coating comes in a variety of color choices, and a sample board of this system is on display in (the library?). For more information about our preferred system and project progress, please contact (who?).
May 12th 2021 Meeting Memo Heather
May 5, 2021
To: RP Dowds, OPM
Eva Kasell, Landscape Circle Liaison
Via: rpdowds@comcast.net; ekasell@gmail.com
RE: Cambridge Cohousing
Dear Phillip and Eva:
This note is to summarize recent recommendations I have made to the Landscape Circle
and next steps for HLD and the circle.
Scope of Phase I
Design
• The Circle and I met yesterday, May 5; we are developing a masterplan for the great
lawn, spine and patios. The Circle is will be working with patio owners to solicit
their input and build consensus for the patio “kit of part” and how they should be
arranged. We anticipate large shrub/tree planters and narrower trellis/planters
along the spine. We should have a version that is pretty well vetted to share with
the engineers by the end of next week. Attached is the “base plan” showing lawn
and social amenity improvements (grill area, sitting areas, tree planting and
circulation improvements) that is being used as the base to for the patio workshop
with residents. This work is being done with a small 1/16 model and moveable
pieces.
• We do not have a recommendation yet regarding whether the Kemper surface will
be two tones (public and private distinction) or one color throughout.
• To date, umbrellas and shade trees are the preferred option for shade on the patio.
Utilities and Services
• We anticipate the need for electrical service line to run along the line separating
private from public for lighting which will be mounted to the new planters.
• We do not anticipate irrigation of the planters but do recommend irrigation for the
great lawn. Anticipating this improvement could require a separate meter,
electrical supply for the controller, and a backflow preventer.
Storm Water
• Due to the existing high clay soils and the general compacted condition of the
upper layers of the soil, I strongly recommend that the lawn is core aerated after
being leveled and graded to drain in a southerly direction. This will promote better
internal drainage and recreational use of the lawn for years to come. The
engineering and shaping of the entire lawn area should be considered as a part of
Phase One.
• I’d like to check in with you regarding the sketches we have exchanged directing
and collecting surface water from the patios/spine. I am sure there has been
discussions with the drainage circle and others. I am pretty confident that most
solutions will require alterations to the private garden and birch trees (in the west
end) to detain and infiltrate water, connections to the underdrains, and an elective
improvement could be raising the grade of the sunken garden to be closer to the
finished grades in the general area.
• I am happy to weigh in on trench drain and infiltration pod details at the
appropriate time. The circle is open to aesthetic, environmental, discrete
infiltration areas that are not the primary storm water management strategy.
• I found this interesting trench drain with is meant to be placed against the façade.
It also has storage capacity and makes me think of the potential for gathering
stormwater for rainwater recovery (irrigation) in the great lawn. There is an
upfront investment for recovery systems which unfortunately makes them too
costly for private individuals but in a collective situation, that may be different.
HighMark Land Design
561 Windsor Street Studio A402 , Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
Scope of Work- Construction
• Regrading and resurfacing of the steep walkway from Richdale should be avoided
from being included in Phase One. The slope is steeper than MAAB accessibility
requirements permit. In order to avoid potential compliancy issues, this area
should be left out of the improvement areas.
• We have ideas of where the trees in the existing planters can be either healed in or
planted directly into the ground. I am curious if the contractor thinks he can move
the planters with a fork lift so they can be stored in the planters until we are ready
to unbundle them and put them in the ground. We are preparing and inventory to
identify material to be salvaged and transplanted.
• Before construction can begin, the project will require the sign off of the City
Arborist regarding tree removal and replacement. This process can take time and
can be started asap by inviting the arborist to the site to review the existing trees
and scope of work. I believe this could delay demolition if the arborist has not been
to the site and issued their conditions. I anticipate we will have to replace caliper
inches for any tree (greater than 8” dbh) that is removed. The birch tree at the
corner of the Richdale path and spine is one we feel strongly about keeping. The
black locust in the center of the lawn is one we recommend removing due to its
shallow and rigorous roots which will interfere with properly regrading the lawn. Its
removal also promotes wrapping the water proofing down the vertical face of the
garage.
• There is confusion as to the fate of the Cherry tree in the raised planter on the west
end. I believe it will be hard to do all the work we are planning on doing without
rebuilding the stairs and potentially the planter in this area. This will in part depend
on how, where and if we connect to the sub drains in this area.
Next Steps
• HLD is to send additional information regarding new plant options for the
planters for the circles work this weekend.
• Document the tree inventory for shared use
• I will be meeting with the Landscape Circle next Wednesday. HLD is not
preparing material for this meeting, the focus will be synthesizing the
community design work done by the circle in order to create a consensus
plan- or identify next steps to getting there.
• Draft and send a preliminary Landscape Site Improvement plan for the
engineers to review, specific focus on roof loads and slab coordination.
• May 23 Community Meeting- determine how to share updates, the design
may be settled in advance to this meeting, optimistically by the end of next
week.
• HLD will be billing our first invoice on Monday May 7th. A progress check
indicates that we are up against the ceiling for Pre-Design/Schematic Design.
There is still work to do to get to a final resolved design plan. I anticipate that
construction documents will be simplified since it is likely that there will be no
shade structure or pedestal pavers. I’d like to suggest that everything from
5/6/21 forward be considered a part of the construction document phase.
I welcome any corrections and input from the circle to these recommendations.
Best to all-
Heather Heimarck, RLA, CLARB
hheimarck@highmarklanddesign.com, mobile 617 515-0830
Attached:
Master Plan Base
Kit of Parts
Link to research folders:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_LCGTWaONWlHA-1vrLKugt3KeurLGW0e
May 5th Meeting Memo from Heather Heimarck
May 5, 2021To: RP Dowds, OPM
Eva Kasell, Landscape Circle Liaison.Via: rpdowds@comcast.net; ekasell@gmail.com RE: Cambridge Cohousing
Dear Phillip and Eva:
This note is to summarize recent recommendations I have made to the Landscape Circle and next steps for HLD and the circle.
Scope of Phase I Design
The Circle and I met yesterday, May 5; we are developing a masterplan for the great lawn, spine and patios. The Circle will be working with patio owners to solicit their input and build consensus for the patio “kit of part” and how they should be arranged. We anticipate large shrub/tree planters and narrower trellis/planters along the spine. We should have a version that is pretty well vetted to share with the engineers by the end of next week. Attached is the “base plan” showing lawn and social amenity improvements (grill area, sitting areas, tree planting and circulation improvements) that is being used as the base to for the patio workshop with residents. This work is being done with a small 1/16 model and moveable pieces.
We do not have a recommendation yet regarding whether the Kemper surface will be two tones (public and private distinction) or one color throughout.
To date, umbrellas and shade trees are the preferred option for shade on the patio. Utilities and Services
We anticipate the need for electrical service line to run along the line separating private from public for lighting which will be mounted to the new planters.
We do not anticipate irrigation of the planters but do recommend irrigation for the great lawn. Anticipating this improvement could require a separate meter, electrical supply for the controller, and a backflow preventer.
Storm Water
Due to the existing high clay soils and the general compacted condition of the upper layers of the soil, I strongly recommend that the lawn is core aerated after being leveled and graded to drain in a southerly direction. This will promote better internal drainage and recreational use of the lawn for years to come. The engineering and shaping of the entire lawn area should be considered as a part of Phase One.
I’d like to check in with you regarding the sketches we have exchanged directing and collecting surface water from the patios/spine. I am sure there has been discussions with the drainage circle and others. I am pretty confident that most solutions will require alterations to the private garden and birch trees (in the west end) to detain and infiltrate water, connections to the underdrains, and an elective improvement could be raising the grade of the sunken garden to be closer to the finished grades in the general area.
I am happy to weigh in on trench drain and infiltration pod details at the appropriate time. The circle is open to aesthetic, environmental, discrete infiltration areas that are not the primary storm water management strategy.
I found this interesting trench drain with is meant to be placed against the façade. It also has storage capacity and makes me think of the potential for gathering stormwater for rainwater recovery (irrigation) in the great lawn. There is an upfront investment for recovery systems which unfortunately makes them too costly for private individuals but in a collective situation, that may be different.
Scope of Work- Construction
Regrading and resurfacing of the steep walkway from Richdale should be avoided from being included in Phase One. The slope is steeper than MAAB accessibility requirements permit. Inorder to avoid potential compliancy issues, this area should be left out of the improvement areas.
We have ideas of where the trees in the existing planters can be either healed in or planted directly into the ground. I am curious if the contractor thinks he can move the planters with a fork lift so they can be stored in the planters until we are ready to unbundle them and put them in the ground. We are preparing and inventory to identify material to be salvaged and transplanted.
Before construction can begin, the project will require the sign off of the City Arborist regarding tree removal and replacement. This process can take time and can be started asap by inviting the arborist to the site to review the existing trees and scope of work. I believe this could delay demolition if the arborist has not been to the site and issued their conditions. I anticipate we will have to replace caliper inches for any tree (greater than 8” dbh) that is removed. The birch tree at the corner of the Richdale path and spine is one we feel strongly about keeping. The black locust in the center of the lawn is one we recommend removing due to its shallow and rigorous roots which will interfere with properly regrading the lawn. Its removal also promotes wrapping the water proofing down the vertical face of the garage.
There is confusion as to the fate of the Cherry tree in the raised planter on the west end. I believe it will be hard to do all the work we are planning on doing without rebuilding the stairs and potentially the planter in this area. This will in part depend on how, where and if we connect to the sub drains in this area.
Next Steps
HLD is to send additional information regarding new plant options for the planters for the circles work this weekend.
Document the tree inventory for shared use.
I will be meeting with the Landscape Circle next Wednesday. HLD is not preparing material for this meeting, the focus will be synthesizing the community design work done by the circle in order to create a consensus plan- or identify next steps to getting there.
Draft and send a preliminary Landscape Site Improvement plan for the engineers to review, specific focus on roof loads and slab coordination. May 23 Community Meeting- determine how to share updates, the design may be settled in advance to this meeting, optimistically by the end of next week
HLD will be billing our first invoice on Monday May 7th. A progress check indicates that we are up against the ceiling for Pre-Design/Schematic Design. There is still work to do to get to a final resolved design plan. I anticipate hat construction documents will be simplified since it is likely that there will be no shade structure or pedestal pavers. I’d like to suggest that everything from 5/6/21 forward be considered a part of the construction document phase.
I welcome any corrections and input from the circle to these recommendations. Best to all-
Heather Heimarck, RLA, CLARB hheimarck@highmarklanddesign.com, mobile 617 515-0830
Landscape Circle Draft Agenda and Notes
4/30/2021 at 2 PM
Present:
General information:
Link to HLD concept presentation
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_LCGTWaONWlHA-1vrLKugt3KeurLGW0e
Link to info: rain gardens and bioswales:
https://spottsgardens.com/rain-gardens-bioswales-rainscaping/
Aim of this meeting:
To narrow the focus of our overall desired vision--and responses to Heather’s questions and ideas.
Need to clarify
Kemper versus pavers
No commitment yet., but Kemper is likely to be the community’s preference.
This group is likely to recommend Kemper (price and functionality.) Pavement color differentiation of public paths.
Yes, that is desirable. We understand that differentiation of areas with different colors is possible with Kemper.
Rain garden/bioswale pods versus none.
No commitment yet. New information: seems to be undesirable from an engineering perspective. Needs more discussion.and input from Heather If not needed, seems unlikely as it is also costly. Ideas?
Shade structure versus umbrellas/ shade trees
No commitment yet. Our circle recommends umbrellas/trees.
Trees for shade in boxes on the patio.
Yes. It is what most people want. Would like sketches to show the community. Would need to replant trees that would provide shade eventually.
Size, shape and numbers of planter boxes.
Interested in sketches of alternative shapes for large tree boxes. Our circle seems to favor the unified combo idea: same style and material, different sizes and shapes, with options for integrated storage/benches and screens. Are there DIY options possible?
Maintenance of planter/tree boxes.
Hardy trees and plants? built-in irrigation ( embedded in slab?), connection to rain containers etc)
Integrated lighting design
Yes. We could start exploration of simple, dark sky, soft light options along walkways and on the dining patio.
Shaping lawn area, while keeping it open for play activities (f. ex. badminton)
Please explore
a) optimal locations of additional shade trees along patio edge, near dining patio, SW corner, and play structure.
b) rounding the corners of the lawn
c) articulation of shady sitting patio area in SW corner
d) incorporating salvageable trees ( f. ex. Jap. maples, pine, Hinoki Cypress Stewardia etc.)
General Irrigation
We would like to understand irrigation options for our planted areas.
Area around main entrance, dining patio and play structure, including Y-shaped path and extension of dining patio.
Yes, please explore in more detail. New information: In front of Living room window (center of bed) , a downspout will connect to an underground pipe, leading water directly into the lawn. Sidewalk will be demolished.
Location of grill area
Yes, please explore location on SW corner lawn patio and near extension of dining patio)
WE street entry impact of heavy machinery.
Yes, Please explore simple options for restoration.
Trellis-shaded walk-way
This circle does not think this option would fly.
Children’s digging area
Designated area for kids who like to dig in dirt.??
Salon
When?
Approach/format
HDL needs community decisions within two weeks on many items. Aiming for salons Wednesday May 5th, Sunday May 9th. Needs coordination with Drainage Circle.
Communication lines
Simplify communication with landscape architects by designating Eva for most communication.
Landscape Circle Draft Agenda and Notes
2//24,1-2PM
Present:
Gwen N. Anne, Phil Dowds, Susan, Eva
1:00
Check-in
1:05
Leader? Note-taker?
meetings?
Phil is the link to the Drainage Circle. Eva leader and note taker with everyone’s help.
Weekly meetings: Wednesday 3-4PM
Process going forward
Gwen brought ideas for ways to get community input--
We present a variety of solutions and ideas with plans and photos attached. It will generate ideas and discussion.
Specifically, we will focus on
● lay-out of patio
● possible position and type of shade trees in lawn
● “a nice place to sit” small meetings,meals etc.
● treatment of patio/lawn edge
● how to get shade on the dining patio
● planters
● permanent placement for grill
● clotheslines
● pavement pattern and types of pavers
● lighting options
● types and placement of planters and tree boxes
● possible trellises for growing vines
● “smart” rain barrels
● patio storage?
In every aspect of design, we must consider easy maintenance.
Timing: explore ideas with community in the next month, then bring in Zen or other landscaper. Phil has offered to also give input.
What are we owed from Zen? How do their prices compare to other landscape firms? Who will do some research?
Link to Zen WE contract: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ime2fUofT7X-nM5cVeC4Qmp0WH0M064Bb_sB0jvoMVE/edit
Link to Zen’s WE work so far: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xzuu8jmctdGjM3jEbQ0owjglZ51DmC_w-BfEi-i0I4Y/edit#heading=h.srqa4lhqurck
Priorities/next steps?
Action items/ who?
Gwen and Eva will make idea drawings, explore materials and generate photos .
Landscape Circle Draft Agenda and Notes
2/19/21,1-2PM
Present:
Gwen N. Anne, Phil Dowds, Susan, Eva
1:00
Check-in
1:05
Leader? Note-taker?
Next meeting? Weekly meetings?
Phil is the link to the Drainage Circle. Eva leader and note taker with everyone’s help.
Next meeting is Wednesday at 3PM.
Weekly meetings: Wednesday 3-4PM
Process going forward
Important for this group to make timely decisions and move forward quickly. Decisions on the bioswale and built-ins on the patio should be made by March 31st.
Questions regarding bringing back Zen (or another landscape design firm)
We can do a lot of preparation ourselves: showing examples of alternatives--for examples on bioswale, shade structures etc.. educating the community on specifics.
Based on input from survey, Gwen is offering to draw design ideas and find visuals for concrete alternatives to further decision making. Knowing what we want will save time and money.
How to reintegrate Zen? Based on Phil’s recommendations, we will wait to invite them back until we have had interactions with the community around Gwen’s more specific suggestions and design alternatives for the patio and bioswale.
1:15
Goal, objectives, scope
Our goal is
- to shepherd decisions on specific details and landscape items through the community--with the aim of pleasing as many people as possible so the engineers and the landscape designers can move forward without delay.
Our objectives are
- to understand and explore which landscape “solutions” are feasible and what the comparative cost/benefits of alternatives might be.
- To shape processes for fair and inclusive decision making in the community regarding landscape choices.
The scope is
- the WE patio and lawn area. No decisions on details will be made for the Glade and EE at this time, but could come into play if affected by certain decisions for the WE.
1:20
Preliminary suggested list of items for the circle to consider--
- Built-in landscape elements for the patio: tree boxes and shade structures. What is the weight bearing capability of the garage roof/patio?
- Type and placement on the patio of integrated lighting (solar?) Phil knows a lighting expert we could consult.
- Requirements for a bioswale along the edge of the patio. How might it inform or hinder other desired landscaping features?
- Identify means of creating shade and greenery on and near the patio--and in other summer hot spots of the patio.
- Gener
- Type of and placement of planter boxes and rain-barrels
- Type of flexible shade structure over the dining patio
- Where and what type of shade trees to cast shade in the without interfering with free moving activities on the lawn.
- How and where to create a comfortable, quiet sitting area on the lawn that does not interfere with children’s play but makes it possible to watch them. Perhaps at the Western end of the lawn?
- How and where to create opportunities for adventure play for older children. Perhaps in the Glade?
- WE entry from the street, that can accommodate trucks and contain the soil from our yard that currently washes into the street.
1:40
Priorities/next steps?
Action items/ who?
● Investigating bioswale alternatives, perhaps integrated with shade trees. Needs input from engineers.
● Understand which built-ins we can and should add, if any. Needs input from engineers.
● Look into the design of shade structure over the dining patio.
● Gwen will work on some of the above this week-end.
April 2021
Subject: So glad to have you onboard
Date: April 9, 2021 at 4:42:50 PM EDT
To: Heather Heimarck HLD <hheimarck@highmarklanddesign.com>, stephengodanis@gmail.com
Cc: Anne Tonachel <annert@gmail.com>, Gwen Noyes <gnoyes@oakdev.com>, Susan Sternfeld <suesternfeld@gmail.com>, R Philip Dowds <rpdowds@comcast.net>
Dear Heather and Stephen,
We are so pleased to have you working with us and are looking forward to the next several weeks of collaboration. We seem to be off to a good start.
This week-end our Landscape Helping Circle will draft a page to describe life on the West-end Patio and lawn—how the community interacts out there and how we hope to try to accommodate many different needs. It will be ready for you Monday morning.
In the meantime, I am attaching information about cohousers' needs, ideas and preferences regarding our outdoor space.
The survey asked about general priorities, while the exhibit elicited comments on specific details regarding the West-end yard and patio.
Thank you again for your interest in Cohousing and in our project. We are very excited to get to work with you.
-Anne, Susan, Gwen and Eva
March 31. 2021 Email to community
Cambridge Co-housing Community Preferences on Landscaping
The following is based on 38 written responses to the Landscaping Exhibit and one salon with 24 participants (details here). While our method is a bit unscientific--we were able to extract sufficient information to provide at least a preliminary architectural program.
The responses to the Exhibit were encouraging because we detected a certain amount of flexibility--a sign that most people are open to reach consensus.
We are hoping to start construction in early June. Certain items therefore take priority. Decisions on items 1-6 below are part of a Phase One and should happen during April. But the items 7-9 plus potential renovation of the West End entry (as a result of construction damage) and minor changes to plant beds can be treated as a Phase Two with May or June decisions with potentially a stepped implementation.
Regarding general comments about our entire patio, several people showed preference for flexibility, an open feel without blocking sight-lines with screens, large umbrellas etc.
Additionally, we might look into better storage solutions to the many items currently on the patio.
Phase One (April Decisions)
Pavers and Paving Pattern
Most people want to see some delineation of public versus private areas on the patio: the public Spine and WE entry path should be subtly differentiated to indicate direction. The private patio owners showed no interest in indicating paths to their front doors in the pavement. Do they prefer the differentiation of the public Spine to stop at the WE street entry path? There is no clear consensus on color or style.
Patio/Lawn Edge Treatment
A bioswale is required by the engineers to disperse the water off the patio and roofs. It could be a simple grate or crushed stone in a depression or a planted swale. We saw clear preference for a planted or partially planted swale (23) versus no plantings at all (6-7). Easy access to the lawn--in part via small bridges is a must. No small stones, please, mentioned by several.
Planters
34 individuals wanted planter boxes, and 17 people explicitly mentioned planters large enough to hold small trees. 6 responders wished for small movable planters only, while another 6 emphasized raised planters for growing vegetables.
Weight-bearing capacity of the deck and how to best integrate planters with paving is important. Materials, cost and maintenance prime considerations.
Shade Structure
A large majority want a shade structure on the patio. Most preferred sails or roman shades (26). 8 people think a removable structure is important--with whatever system we settle on.
Lighting and Rain Barrels
There was strong agreement on low, subtle lighting. No strong opinions for or against rain barrels. If deemed useful, people would probably like to have them.
Phase 2 Items (May or June Decisions)
Trees and Yard
We saw an overwhelming desire for more trees to provide shade everywhere--on the dining patio and beyond, on the lawn itself, over the play structure and a “Nice Place to Sit”.
A “Nice Place to Sit”
Strong support for this item, especially among CH and WE stack residents, who lack access to a quiet place in the shade outside on a hot day.
Relocating the Gas Grill
14 people wanted to try to find alternate locations for the grill to open the small patio for a seating area, while 2 were against it. A masonry surround was endorsed by 8, disliked by 3. 12 had no opinion of grill location. Note: replacing the gas grill itself is not being considered.
Not part of these recent Exhibit responses, but in an earlier landscape survey several people were interested in exploring a better way to keep our grounds watered. Suggestions?
The Landscaping Helping Circle
(Anne Tonachel, Susan Sternfeld, Gwen Noyes, Eva Kasell)
Survey Note to Community:
Information Gathering for Design of our Outdoor Space
In connection with the East- and West-end drainage and patio projects, we have an opportunity to optimize the design of our outdoor areas and consider anew how we want to utilize and enjoy them.
When the community was built, the founders could have maximized the available land and built on every square inch to lower cost of each unit. But they wisely chose to save space for play and recreation.
Our open space is a treasure that calls all the more for intentional design and stewardship. On a subconscious level, design governs behavior and colors our experience. It has the power to promote or hinder our desired use and enjoyment. We would do well to think carefully about design of our outdoor space.
Our aim is to gather information not to design anything. To help us think and to move the design process forward, we propose holding a series of focus groups, followed by a survey. We will then hand the information to the designers to create a few alternative practical and pleasing plans that are feasible and affordable.
The process has two parts, and must be wide open at first, and include all outdoor spaces except for the vegetable garden. Everything hangs together, some features are mutually exclusive; others can perhaps be accommodated in a different area. But we leave solutions and specifics to the designers. We have some input already from the East End that can be incorporated.
Initial questions in small group conversations could be:
Thinking about our outdoor spaces as a whole, including East and West end--
- what functions or activities should our outdoor spaces accommodate?
- how well are they being addressed now?
- which features or values are important to you to promote?
- how well are those features or values being met at the moment?
- what gives you joy when you are outside?
- what causes you irritation or annoyance?
- If you can only mention one thing, what would be an important improvement for you?
- are there functions, activities or features you would like to discourage, eliminate completely or move to another area?
- what might make you use our outdoor spaces more?
The conversations will inform the design of a survey to gather more precise information and set priorities. Everyone should be asked to fill it out.
\We may offer a “budget” 50 points for 25 concrete items (A), and 18 for the 6 intangible ones (B). Examples of survey questions could include, not be limited to:
A) Activities or features you want to accommodate? (Distribute 50 points)
Play
1. play structure
2. tightrope
3. climbing trees
4. organized games needing extended space
5. sandbox/kiddy pool/other
6. dog play/cat pleasures
7. skating
Other activities
8. sitting around (conversations, small meetings, quiet reading)
9. outdoor meals for large group
10. outdoor smaller meals, semi private groups
11. grilling
12. growing flowers and vegetables
13. drying clothes outside
Features important to you
14. low maintenance landscaping
15. drought resistant landscaping
16. native species
17. plantings to attract wild-life
18. ornamental flowers and shrubs
19. large shade trees
20. large open lawn area
21. easy watering (including irrigation system)
22. ADA compliant WE entry steep slope to street (currently not compliant)
23. ADA compliant CH less steep slope to street (currently not compliant)
24. easy clean-up opportunities for large and small toys, garden tools and supplies
25. designated, covered bike parking
B) How important to you are these intangible qualities? (Distribute 18 points) environmental harmony (healthy soil, organic practices, attracting wildlife, drought resistant plantings, rainwater collection, native species, natural materials, etc.)
1. togetherness
2. semi-privacy
3. places of activity (more open space)
4. pockets of shady, more secluded areas (w. denser plantings, shade trees)
5. verticality (trees, trellises, pergolas, berms, raised planter boxes)
D) What is your number one feature, value, activity or quality from the above list?
E) Are there other considerations you would like to communicate to the designers?
June 25th, Annie's Compromise Plan Mock-up
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11BBPmiop2ydWtf9vHShqjxt4N2SpnciA/view?usp=sharing
April 24. 2022 Final Drawings
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FUD7qbmiOw5IMbKGgIS0eLNZzAx9Abk-/view?usp=sharing
April 7th 2022. Patio Boxes and Plantings. Everything is interconnected.
April 7th 2022. Patio Boxes and Plantings. Everything is interconnected.
Paving Products
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19jmnwGOIn3X1tutjEuEqR5fAPKFhqdgKgrjRTm1xgZg/edit?usp=sharing
Febr. 22. 2022 Review of Landscape Plan
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1okDRoUn20821JWcLiyjRzevHAO4q1eii/edit#slide=id.p1
Jan 28, 2022 Annotated Plan, SGH
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LM6UOZGjNku1-RWVUpDIw3N1rdiZpL61/view?usp=sharing
January 2022, Heather Landscape Review
1.18.22, Presentation, Heather
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tR9L4VgUGq6QUof5y6kjn5YiYVZTPv1gYttte_nIzV0/edit?usp=sharing
Video of same
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iAaM63kJlRRyELc0nWZ1jnn1jD5Dgjhk/view?usp=sharing
May 19th 2021
Parallel West End Landscape Group Discussion before special WE meeting with Heather
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rhyHgtZPR0aR9vVXdckEKkMUu_eJV4WUmVvPJaVtvko/edit?usp=sharing
May 5th 2021 Landscape Plan, Heather
Pavers and Patterns
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1er-I1iHtHJcrBWyTCfdsZLX6RqSZQoqrmlqAyoPAIQw/edit#slide=id.p
April 24th, 2021, Resource File from Heather Heimarck.
Here is the link to our Master File, including our research. Within the main file are the Power Point as well as a PDF. Separate files are organized by research topics. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_LCGTWaONWlHA-1vrLKugt3KeurLGW0e?usp=sharing
April 24th, 2021. Heather Heimarck Presentation to Community
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-wuvkNO9abVfJVT8LDj9ybuoJiEWAvB5/edit#slide=id.p1
September 21, Paving Schematics
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1836_ZT_q5N8jXeMqiCQ4eIggi753q0n2/view?usp=sharing
February 2021 Landscape Elements Exhibit
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qdXYWlRJoTvPJlRYGLObcc3LzmcBPuqiIgLCzV38HTI/edit?usp=sharing
January 2021, Community Preferences According to Survey