PROGRESSIVE, SUSTAINABLE, CONNECTED.
A NEW KIND OF COMMUNITY
DESIGN THEMES & OBJECTIVES
The design principles for The Farm seek to celebrate the cultural heritage of central Pennsylvania while utilizing modern technology and an environmental design ethic.
Green amenities add value to the development that they surround while providing a financial return. Agriculture may not turn a quick profit, but it does offer an invaluable resource that increases social capital.
Our design themes reflect a philosophy of conserving what exists (that is, utilizing it without depleting it), sustaining the Centre Region socially and economically, and planning for conscientious, long-term regenerative growth.
Each of these themes is reflected by program elements included in the design. The natural landscape and restored heritage buildings are conserved, serving as unique features within the community. Sustainable site design incorporates on-site food production, geothermal and solar energy as well as on-site waste water treatment and reuse.
The on-site organic farm works to nourish the community and the land, while recreational trails provide excellent educational and fitness opportunities. Finally, The Farm leaves room for dynamic growth and evolution of the community with program elements that enrich the civic lives of its residents.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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Environmental Stewardship
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Sense of Place
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Community Engagement
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Sustainable Design Philosophy
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Green Space
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Walkability
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Connectivity
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Energy Conservation
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Healthy Lifestyle
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Learning and Education
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Preservation
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Heritage Architecture
SUSTAINABLE SITE DESIGN FEATURES
Recycling water through productive reuse is central to this sustainable design.
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An on-site wastewater treatment facility will discharge Class A treated water back to the community through a water reuse pipe for The Farm irrigation network.
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Geothermal systems discharge water into site water features, which also serve as irrigation sources for The Farm.
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Excess water would be applied to the upland portion of the site, where it would then infiltrate to recharge the water table.
WATER REUSE
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
By emphasizing the use of modern sustainable technologies, The Farm asserts its position as a leader in sustainable community design. (Note: research for this potential community asset is ongoing.)
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Implementing a solar farm on the property allows The Farm to become more energy independent at the community level.
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Options to place solar panels on individual homes provide opportunities to become energy independent at the family scale.
PASSIVE SOLAR
Passive solar greenhouses and high tunnels utilize and store solar energy in the form of heat that will help enable year-round vegetable production. Additionally, combined with sustainable technologies, passive solar design can create homes that are less reliant on energy-intensive heat sources.
A district heating system utilizing geothermal, solar thermal, biomass, or any combination of these three would consolidate costs while providing a community-scale renewable energy option. These energy choices would drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the community. (Note: research for this potential community asset is ongoing.)
DISTRICT HEATING OPTIONS
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An on-site organic farm provides residents with fresh produce, which in turn receives food waste from the residents that is composted back on the farm to help replenish soil fertility.
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Yard debris could also be cycled back to the farm to be incorporated into the composting mix.
COMPOSTING
At the core of The Farm is a commitment to preserve Central Pennsylvania’s ecological heritage while sustaining the local community with fresh, organic produce.
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Vegetables grown and harvested on the land are at the peak of freshness, ensuring optimum nutrient value and reduced transportation and refrigeration costs.
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Produce is non-GMO and is not treated with herbicides, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, which are potentially harmful to the environment and consumer.
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Community and family involvement opportunities, i.e. harvest, planting, etc.
