Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Asheville, NC

Our studio worked with the church design committee to fulfill a long awaited outdoor terrace to complete the design intent of this 1960's-era church.  With an environmentally-minded congregation, installing a functional landscape that responds to site context, provides accessibility, and creates outdoor, usable space was a common goal.  The design responds to the contemporary architecture and sets up intentional site lines, with strong horizontal planes borrowing from the architecture.  Rainwater from half of the sanctuary is directed into underground storage tanks, that controls the rate of run-off leaving the new plaza.  Water quality measures in the form of a series of rain gardens further cleanse rainwater and provide ground-water recharge.