The Countway CoLab

The Green Dream Team

Daniel Sherman | Harvard CollegeAlyssa Curran | Harvard Graduate School of Design

Shoshanna Levine | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthBhargav Srinivasan | Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School

Meghan Venable-Thomas | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Table of ContentsNovember 2016

The Countway CoLab

Defining Principles

Design Elements Overview

Supporting Material + Financial Projection

Alternative Financial Models

Design Element Impacts

Site Plans

Renderings

Aquaponics

Community Impact

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COMMUNITY

SUSTAINABILITY

USABILITY

Generating the garden spaces of the future involves technology, a tailoring of gardens to suit their local environments, and application of natural ecological relationships to promote landscapes that are pesticide-free, energy self-sufficient, and water use efficient. This is the Countway CoLab.

Emphasizing the urban in urban garden, the Countway CoLab’s design is fully inclusive. Library staff, the Harvard community at large, and the surrounding areas of Mission Hill and Roxbury are all accommodated. Integration of Harvard courses, community events, and learning space are keystones of the design.

Reintroducing this community garden to the community, the Countway CoLab mitigates external sound, maximizes space usage, and utilizes the

available solar resources to its advantage to create a new environment that supports studying, socializing, and community engagement.

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SUSTAINABILITY

USABILITY

COMMUNITY

• Aquaponics• Vertical Growing• Willow Fence

Innovative Growing …...............

• Cold Frames• Green House• Solar Umbrellas

Weathering ….

• Green Roof• Rain Barrels

Drainage….

• Sound Barriers (T-Walls)

• Willow Fence

• Vertical Bike Rack• Shade Canopy• Additional Seating

• Solar Panels• Lighting• Solar Umbrellas

• Mobile Classroom• Study Nook• Harvard Programs

• Hybrid Ramp• Open Seating• Varied Bed Heights

• Community Murals• Locally Designed

Gate• Garden Beds + Market

Sound Space Energy

Accessibility….Creative Placemaking….Collaboration…...............

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Supporting Materials

To support the redesigned Countway CoLab (see our site plan and renderings), we hope to illustrate our thinking around the operating, design, and business models. I. Operating model Our operating model has three facets: governance, day-to-day operations, and technology-enabled inclusion.

A. Governance Our governance model will include involvement from a new Countway CoLab Board. Board members will include two staff members from the Countway Community Library, two members from the Mission Hill and Roxbury communities, one administrator from the Harvard medical community, one Harvard student, and one organizational sponsor committed to being part of the garden’s development. We envision that the board will meet quarterly to make decisions around personnel, budget, and ongoing maintenance and effectiveness of the garden. B. Day to day On a day-to-day basis we see the Countway CoLab being run by three groups of people: the Countway Community staff, residents of the surrounding community, and organizations. Each party will take responsibility for planting areas assigned to them. A schedule will ensure that communal tasks, such as broader plant maintenance and garden cleaning, are shared by all three parties. The gates to the community garden should be open from sunrise to sunset and at all other times be locked. This will reduce security involvement while still making the space available during daylight hours. In addition to the two security cameras currently in the vicinity, one additional camera will be added keep better watch on the area without guards having to be physically present. C. Tech-enabled inclusion We hope to work with students, faculty, and staff with expertise in the area to design and develop a mobile application that all community members can download to see the garden space, what plants are being maintained, weather conditions, and activities and events going on in the space. The app can also host a schedule to remind those maintaining the garden when it is their time to take care of which tasks, enabling the time-share schedule noted above. It could host reminders for social and educational activities as well. Our vision is that this mobile app will make the garden even more exciting and inviting, while also making maintenance and monitoring as easy as possible for those involved.

II. Business model In our business model, we considered the initial investments it would take to renovate the garden, the recurring expenses, and potential revenue opportunities.

A. Initial investments The initial investments required for the redesign are ~$130K. Most of the initial investments will go into the sustainability of the garden, the largest expense being the development of a green roof that covers the garden and entryway. Next, the

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budget includes plumbing, ramp development, the plants themselves, and additional lighting, the usability features of the garden. Finally, we also budget for the inclusion of a mobile classroom in the form a gazebo and additional space for studying and creative placemaking equipment and tools. The process we used to calculate initial investments involved looking at the various design elements and considering the equivalent quantities and cost per units offered by online vendors. Finally, we estimated that we would only be able to account for 80% of investments with our current projections and so account for unseen expenses, as well.

The initial investment required is ~$130K

B. Recurring expenses & revenues We also estimate the redesigned garden will require additional upkeep in the order of $10-20K per year using a similar methodology. To offset this additional expense, we offer new revenue opportunities: (1) state grants, (2) organization sponsors, and (3) event commissions.

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Budget Scenarios

Ideal Intermediate Basic

Sustainability

• Green roof ($49k)

• Solar system ($4.0k)

• Vertical growing ($3.2k)

• Greenhouse ($2.2k)

• Other costs ($5.2k)

• No green roof

• Solar system ($4.0k)

• Vertical growing ($3.2k)

• Greenhouse ($2.2k)

• Other costs ($5.2k)

• No green roof

• No solar system

• Vertical growing ($1.6k)

• Greenhouse ($1.1k)

• Limited other costs ($2k)

Usability

• Plumbing ($10k)

• Ramp (3.3k)

• Plants, etc. (2.5k)

• Tree canopy ($2.1k)

• Other costs ($4.8k)

• No plumbing

• Ramp (3.3k)

• Plants, etc. (2.5k)

• Tree canopy ($2.1k)

• Other costs ($4.8k)

• No plumbing

• No ramp

• Plants, etc. (2.5k)

• Tree canopy ($2.0k)

• Limited other costs ($2k)

Community

• Mobile classroom ($11k)

• Study nook ($2.2k)

• Creative plc-making ($2k)

• Other costs (~$1.4k)

• Mobile classroom ($11k)

• Study nook ($2.2k)

• Creative plc-making ($2k)

• Other costs (~$1.4k)

• No creative plc-making

• No mobile classroom

• Study nook ($2.0k)

• Limited costs (~$1k)

Assumptions• Labor costs incl. (35%)

• Unforeseen exp. ($25k)

• Labor costs incl. (35%)

• No unforeseen exp. ($0)

• Volunteer labor (0%)

• No unforeseen exp. ($0)

Total Cost100%

(~$130k)

35%

(~$45k)

10%

(~$13k)

Sources: Online vendor prices were used for various products and services including delivery, construction costs considered.

Our modular design allows for scenario planning based on available funding

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Design Elements and Impact

Sustainability Design Element Impact Issue Addressed

Aquaponics Uses only 1/10th of the water of soil-based gardening Vegetables grow at 2-3 times the rate of conventionally grown vegetables.

Sustainable plantings that incorporate efficient use of water and natural fertilizers

Vertical Growing Dramatically increases amount of greenery per unit of volume, improving aesthetics of barren wall

Expansion of growing space

Willow Fence Willow weave (Salix sp.) water and air and dense brush keeps out rabbits Pests; air filtration

Cold Frames Keeps soil temperature warmer during winter months and jump starts plant germination in the spring

Expansion of growing season

Green House Addresses climate change and protects plants from violent changes in weather conditions Reduces rabbit pest problem

Expansion of growing space; Heat conservation

Solar Panels & Umbrellas

Local energy supply for electrical outlets, aquaponics and greenhouse, potential for additional funding

Energy Access; climate change

Green Roof

Eliminates leakage problem into the archives, filters water, and keeps patio cooler during the summer; Reduces heat island effect, which promotes ground ozone accumulation; In summer, depending on the plants and depth of growing medium, green roofs retain 70-90% of the precipitation that falls on them; in winter they retain between 25-40%.

Drainage; heat; energy; expansion of growing space

Rain Garden/Bioswale

Native plants along CoLab border bioswale (in combination with living willow fence) filter rain and water runoff from adjacent parking lot/sidewalk and hold access moisture, allowing water to percolate into soil

Drainage; additional plants may also provide cooling effect

Rain Barrels Collects rain for use in the planting beds, greenhouse, and aquaponics

Drainage; water capture/access to water

Drip Irrigation

Targets watering at plant roots and allows for slow percolation of water; reduces watering by up to 50% and reduces pests, weeds and harmful fungal growth (no standing water). System integration with rain barrels

Access to water; pests

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Usability Design Element Impact Issue Addressed

Sound Barriers (T-Walls) and Willow Fence

Mitigates external sounds from generator and street, conceals visual blight especially those from generator, provides white noise (leaves rustling)

Noise pollution; Improving area for studying, learning, and community involvement

Vertical Bike Rack Maximizes space, promotes urban bike usage, accommodates community need

Expansion of walkable space

Shade Canopy Provides shade using native trees for the community Overheating, inclusivity

Additional Seating & Picnic Tables

Expands opportunity for community engagement, study spaces, events, eating outside Inclusivity

Solar Panels & Umbrellas Provides shade and source of electricity Heat; energy;

climate change

Free Wifi Countway Library expands public wifi network to CoLab area

Optimized use of garden space; enable internet for study, research, and communication

Medicinal Garden & Variety of Growing Methods

Provide learning opportunities that expand knowledge of plant cultivation, history, and use; extend growing season

Optimized use of garden space

Additional Camera Supplements the existing cameras without patrols Security

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Community Design Element Impact Issue Addressed

Mobile Classroom Allows members of the surrounding academic communities to participate in outdoor classrooms in a conducive learning environment, especially those with relevant curricula

Accessibility; learning space

Study Nook Provides space for outdoor study Accessibility; learning space

Integration of Harvard Programs/Classes

New amenities, energy systems, and organization allow for Harvard to host classes and functions in the upgraded space

Community involvement, accessibility, education

Hybrid Ramp Improves handicap/stroller accessibility and provides additional seating in a more inviting design Accessibility

Open Seating Makes seating available to everyone Usability; accessibility

Varied Bed Heights Allows for people of ages and capacities to participate in gardening

Community involvement, accessibility, education

Community Murals Turns the barren walls into a vivid and beautiful mural, improving aesthetics and reducing stress

Community involvement, accessibility, education

Locally Designed Gate/Entry Way

Refurbished the parking lot entrance, made more inviting; Improved secure locking mechanism during nighttime hours

Community involvement, accessibility, education

Large and Small Garden Beds

Allows for incorporation of various types of plants - those that attract beneficial insects, those that deter pestilential insects; medicinal plants for study students; vegetables and herbs for consumption; etc.

Community involvement; learning space; ecological haven; accessibility

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COUNTWAY LIBRARY

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THE COUNTWAY COLABSite Plan | Design Elements

Sustainability

Innovative GrowingWeathering

Drainage

Usability

SoundSpace

Energy

CollaborationAccessibility

Creative Placemaking

Community

By: The Green Dream Team

Aquaponics

ISSUES ADDRESSED§ Green jobs training§ Contract local business for

installation/training/maintenance

IMPACT§ Add benefits

BENEFITS§ Reuse patio bricks for seating and

new garden beds

PROGRAMMING/PARTNERSHIPS§ Team up with high school

volunteer programs for construction and planting

THE GREEN DREAM TEAM | COUNTWAY COLAB | SUSTAINABILITY

Countway Community

CoLab

CommunityClassroom learning

Study spaceRadio station

Community art

SustainabilityWorkshops

Growing partnershipsGreen jobs training

Aquaponics

UsabilityCountway CoLab App

Community marketEvening events

CSA

CommunityMassArt

Harvard SchoolsBoston Public LibraryLa Alianza Hispana

Central Boston Elder Services

SustainabilityBEHSC

Sweet WaterUrban Farming Institute

Jobs for the FutureSustainability & Health

Student Forum

UsabilityLMA Cyclists NetworkRoxbury/Mission Hill

Farmer's MarketLocal Harvest

Just FoodDaily Table