GHERING
DESIGN CHARRETTE
Neighborhood plan in Bethel, Maine, for young professionals who currently work and live in Bethel, providing them the opportunity to buy housing. The site includes lateral existing trails and an obsolete house, Ghering House, which will be redesigned to include four different units.
The goal is to create a neighborhood plan that fosters a sense of community, drawing on local wisdom from the potential young clients. The design is inspired by traditional Maine cottages and farmhouses, with a touch of red from the nearby Ghering House to reflect elegance and formality. The rest of the buildings are white and grey, contrasting with the natural environment.
View towards existing Ghering House (right) and new housing buildings.
View of new housing and landscape prosposal.
"View of the communal courtyard, surrounded by housing and shared storage units."
Location
Bethel, Maine
Year
06/2023
Design Presentations
Pin-up activity
Key design considerations included the sun path and views of the mountains. The challenge was to maximize housing and storage units while adhering to current codes and creating a design that aligns with existing conditions and emphasizes community.
The team conducted a three-day charrette with investors, potential clients, a non-profit organization in Bethel, and a trail-hiking-cycling organization. After documenting site details, we created three design iterations and presentations for real-time feedback.
Site Analysis
Charrette — feedback