The Hart’s Mill Architecture Design Process kick-off began at Arcadia Common House. Nineteen Hart’s Mill members and four architects gathered for an orientation and preparation to engage in this process.
Joe Cole set the tone as facilitator by reviewing the ground rules, age
nda and leading an introduction based on Group Works cards. Katy Ansardi took us through the major milestones of the past four years that have prepared us for this stage in our development. She reviewed our zoning framework and discussed issues relating to financing.
Anthony Weston walked us through the extensive discussions that members have had in the past about architectural styles and elements.
After a lively Q&A, our architecture consulting partners took the stage. Frank Harmon, Suzy Cash, and Paul Drake talked about the schematic design process and the approach they use with clients.
Giles Blunden, the visionary designer and architect of Arcadia and Pacifica, two early co-housing developments in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, gave an overview of design elements, values, and community guidelines for home design. He led us on a wonderful tour of Arcadia. It was a beautiful, sunny day to admire this established community—definitely an inspiration for all of us.
We broke for a potluck lunch and then a smaller group made our way to Solterra, a nearby community development in Durham. Two residents, Buck and Judith, were kind enough to talk with us and show us their community. We cooled off in the community garden, enjoying shade on a hot afternoon.
Memorial Weekend Work Camp
First of all, campers/builders have now closed up shop — partly because Tropical Depression Bonnie finally promised too much rain, but mostly because, under the meteorological gun, we actually completed our main project, which was to finish framing and roofing the tractor shed. Already last night we celebrated by driving the tractor (“Fergie”? “35”?) into her new home, as you can see in the first photo. (There’s even a video of this!) Kudos to Anthony, Steve, Randy, Ruthie, Paul, Rita, Amy, Donna, Carol, and Hope for their tireless work! (Randy posted some wonderful photos on a Google site, so check them out.)
Overnight it rained, too, so this morning we also already had water in the new water tank — enough to pull off 3-4 gallons to mix the cement on one last 4×4, with lots to spare. Then this morning Rita and Ruthie and I finished the last sections of roofing in only occasional light rain and then decided to just go for it and put on the back wall too, so you can see below that Fergie is now snug as a bug in there. Eventually we will build some doors for the tractor bay on the front as well, move the other attachments under the lower roof, etc. But the basic goals are met!
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Oh and PS, two-third of the wood (all the rafters and most of the purloins) was recycled, either from Habitat Restore or from Paul’s and my scavenging adventure in CH. And there’s a lot left…
Meantime it was great to have so many people camping together on the land — it felt like the proto-community already, with a common area and house and shared cooking and meals, political discussions, walks, etc. as well as a long day or more of hard work, some of it in the very hot sun… and such productive work too! Many thanks to Carol and Randy who set up the camp kitchen and dish-washing station among other significant contributions to the food and meal preparations.
Despite my slave-driving style, some of you were also able to walk the land, work in the garden, tend the bees, and the like, as well as prepare great a dinner last night, so it all worked out. May we do much more of this! This is community in action! And I don’t just mean the physical construction.
Many, many thanks to all who took part, then, whether for all or part of the time, and apologies to those who’d hoped to come today or tomorrow morning — we’ll plan another time soon. Enjoy the rest of the weekend… check for ticks (Randy and I ave both found (3-4)… stay dry… enjoy the curious way that this Summer is a’ comin’ in…
It was a beautiful Mother’s day at Hart’s Mill! In the morning we were joined by about a dozen young adults from Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute and Elon University as well as many individuals and families who were seeing the land for the first time. After an introduction to Hart’s Mill, we took a tour on the recently completed loop trail by McGowen Creek and beyond.
After a potluck lunch at the pavilion, other members arrived and we got to work in the garden setting up tomato cages, bean poles, and laying down straw mulch. The new (old) tractor is up and running and has been a fantastic addition to Hart’s Mill, enabling us to keep our walkways and meadows mowed. Two of the architects from our design partner, Frank Harmon Architects, pitched in with the construction of a shelter for the tractor. We very much appreciated their presence and participation in this wonderful day. Finally,a few of us attended to the stands of Jacks-in-the-pulpit that were being smothered by a fallen tree. How wonderful to see such progress being made! Thanks to everyone who showed up and participated.
