Conway School of Landscape Design-Link to home map of Conway, MA Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design
“The Conway School is undoubtedly the most innovative and effective alternative design education school in the United States today…The importance of the Conway School is the fact that, in one year of concentrated effort, creative students are given a basic understanding of landscape technology, communication tools and design process and given a hundred percent exposure to their use.”  

Peter Olin, Professor, University of Minnesota; Director Emeritus, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum   

Residential Projects

As an integral part of the teaching curriculum, CSLD provides residential design and planning services for property owners in western Massachusetts, under contract and at cost. Preference is given to those within 25 miles of Conway and whose sites present challenges suitable to the school’s mission. If you think that you might be interested in contracting for residential design services, please fill out this brief form and submit it on-line.

The intention of these projects is to:

  • Provide graduates with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to practice design of the land which respects nature as well as humanity;
  • Develop ecological awareness, understanding, respect, and accommodation in its students and project clients; and
  • Produce project designs that fit human use to natural conditions.

Landscape Design, as defined by CSLD, fits human uses to natural conditions through understanding and accommodating natural systems. The design solutions strive to fit the particular needs of the clients to the specific ecology of the site and uphold the school’s mission. Students are expected to learn and use a basic knowledge of geology, climate, soils, hydrology, botany, wildlife and other natural sciences, as well as skills in engineering, construction, planning, and conservation. Students follow a coherent, logical process of analysis and assessment and develop design alternatives and recommendations shaped by that information.

Types of Services Offered:

  • Analyze land parcel for best building and septic location and access
  • Select best location for new structures such as houses, garages, decks, patios, and additions
  • Design driveway and parking areas
  • Site swimming pools, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities
  • Correct problems with drainage and erosion
  • Offer solutions to provide shade, screen or frame views, and create focal points
  • Protect, conserve, enhance, restore habitat of wild flora and fauna.

Types of Products:

  • Base map of parcel with contours, property lines, buildings, significant vegetation
  • Analysis and assessment of physical features, site context, assets and constraints
  • Schematic alternatives and diagrams; students are required to redefine design problems and explore a multitude of solutions
  • Recommended design plan with phasing when applicable
  • Students do not provide detailed planting plans, but may offer a list of suggested plants suited to the site conditions. Students are required to explore a multitude of alternatives. Student services do not include installation of design.

Project Costs, Timeline, and Client Responsibilities:

The residential projects are scheduled during the fall of each year, beginning with a client interview in September.

CSLD expects the client to meet several times with the student designer to outline their needs and wishes, and to review the progress and recommendations.

  • There is a juried presentation in mid-November, which clients are expected to attend.
  • The project is to be completed by the end of the calendar year.
  • Cost for a residential design, including survey, base plan, prints of analysis and recommended design is $450. Projects more than 25 miles from Conway will be assessed for a slight additional fee to cover the expense of student travel.
  • We may also offer a few homeowners a reduced rate where there is a special need and their project would be especially instructive in meeting our program goals.

We would be pleased to discuss project services and costs at any time.