“The Preserve and its people are eager to work with Unknown Studio and their team on this crucial planning initiative as we continue to steward and share our precious lands and gardens for present and future generations to experience and enjoy,” said Preserve Board Chair Sam McGee.
The need for the framework planning project arose from the recent significant expansion in acreage and infrastructure when the management of the three gardens and natural lands were combined under the umbrella of the Preserve. This expansion began in 2015 with important gifts including Little Long Pond and the Abby Garden from the late David Rockefeller, who co-founded the Preserve with his wife, Peggy, in 1970. The Preserve is now responsible for stewarding and sharing culturally important lands and gardens stretching over three miles from Northeast Harbor in the west to Hunters Cliffs in the east.
Following a thoughtful and selective process guided by the Preserve’s Facilities Committee, Unknown Studio was selected to lead this pivotal project. Unknown Studio is a landscape architecture and urban design practice based in Baltimore, MD. They have assembled a team with deep experience in the planning of large, complex cultural sites with particular expertise in multi-phase planning over long timelines.
“Unknown Studio is honored and humbled to guide this far-reaching framework plan, together with the Preserve and an amazing team. We recognize that the people, culture, and values that have shaped this place have had an outsized impact in establishing American thought about stewardship, conservation, public lands, ecology, garden design, and landscape architecture. We look forward to envisioning the future of the Preserve for generations to come,” said Claire Agre, Principal, Unknown Studio.
The framework plan will involve a rigorous discovery phase including analysis of the site, history, buildings, structures energy use, utilities, aspect, visitor experience, circulation, viewsheds, ecology, local climate/environmental conditions, and climate change, including sea level rise. The plan is scheduled to be completed by fall of 2021 and resulting recommendations will be phased in over the coming months and years.
