The Grace Farms Foundation sought a site design that allows people to experience the beauty of nature through landscape; creates a welcoming environment that fosters relationships; provides volunteer resources and opportunities; and enhances this bucolic environment as a place for reflection, study, and discussion. Teamed with the architects at SANAA, OLIN’s vision for the site transformed this 75-acre former horse farm into an open park composed of woodlands, meadows and ponds surrounding new buildings, as well as separate community facilities for art, social outreach and recreation. The property’s post-agrarian landscape has a unique cultural and historical narrative that will be shared with the larger community—72 of the 75 acres is openly accessible to the public. The landscape encourages ecological diversity by strategically removing invasive woodlands and non-native tree species, which will be replaced with indigenous plantings. OLIN also clarified circulation to enhance one’s experience of the site.
