SITE PLAN AND CONTEXT
DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Pennsylvania
Chester County
Willistown Township
Daylesford Abbey
To Paoli
The site is Daylesford Abbey, a Norbertine community and Spirituality Center located on 80 acres near Paoli in Willistown Township, Chester County.
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Waynesborough Road
Tributary ofCrum Creek
Tributary ofCrum Creek
Devon Road
Scale: NTS
SITE PLAN & PHOTOGRAPHS
PAGE 1DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Topography
Daylesford Abbey is beautiful gently rolling landscape comprised of 80 acres of woodlands, fields and a small meadow bisected by a tributary of Crum Creek. It also includes a Spirituality Center, the Abbey, large parking lots, an apiary and gardens.
2 Parking Lot1 Spirituality Center
3 Meadow with Apiary 4 Crum Creek Tributary
5 Woodland 6 Entrance Drive
7 Abbey Terrace
9 John the Baptist Garden
8 Entrance Circle
10 Abbey Stained Glass Window
Scale: 1”= 650’-0”
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Waynesborough Rd.
Crum CreekTributary
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There are six different soil types on the Abbey property dominated by silt loams. These developed over a varied geology of Diabase, Ultramafic and Glenarm Wissahickon rock. The soil in the northeast quadrant is the best agricultural land.
The elevation changes gradually from 410’ to 475’. Small valleys slope towards a tributary of Crum Creek. Concerns were expressed about flooding events during large rainstorms adjacent to the tributary.
TopographyTopography
SITE ANALYSISTopography Geology & Soils
PAGE 2DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Scale: 1”= 650’-0” Scale: 1”= 650’-0”
Topography Key:
410’-0”LowestElevation
Slope range from 2 % to 25%2’ Contours
475’-0”Highest
Elevation
Soils Key:
Geology Key:
Ha- Hatboro Sit Loam (17%)
Di - Diabase
ChC2- Chrome Silt Loam (19%)
Gl - Glenarm Wissahickon
NvB - Neshaminy Silt Loam (27.5%)
DiGlUl
Ul
UrnB- Urban Land Neshaminy (3%)
Ul - Ultramafic Rock
UuhB- Urban Land Udorthents (2.5%)
CwB - Conowingo Silt Loam (31%)
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Waynesborough Rd.
100 yr Floodplain
+ HP 475
+ LP 410
Waynesborough Rd.
Crum CreekTributary
Crum CreekTributary
We identified four plant communities. Wet meadows with hydric woody and herbaceous plants. Dry meadows included grasses with flowering broad-leaved perennials. Woodlands dominated by the Piedmont Oak-Hickory climax plant association. Cultivated landscapes including native and ornamental plants.
Wet meadows run adjacent to Crum Creek tributary. Typical woody plants include Black Willow, Black Walnut and Spicebush. Herbaceous species include White Snakeroot and Common Rush. Invasive species including Multifora Rose, Mile-a-Minute weed and Canada Goldenrod (frequently) were also observed. These need to be removed and additional native wet meadow species added.
Woodlands are composed of mostly hardwoods, a shrubby understory and a minimal herbaceous layer. Predominant canopy trees are Red Maple, White Ash, Tulip Poplar, and Red Oak. Understory trees include Dogwoods and the woodland floor is composed predominantly of ferns. There are a number of exotic invasive species evident including Burningbush and Wineberry.
Dry meadows contain mostly grasses and flowering perennials. Bluejoint Grass, Little Bluestem, and Indian Grass were predominant. Broad-leaved perennials include Tall Tickseed, Flat-topped Goldenrod, and New England Aster. All of these plants are adapted to mesic to xeric conditions.
Cultivated landscapes are the immediate areas surrounding the Abbey. They include native and ornamental plants in gardens, lawns, and landscapes for contemplation.
SITE ANALYSIS
PAGE 3DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Wet MeadowWoodland
Dry MeadowCultivated Landscapes
Existing Vegetation
Scale: 1”= 650’-0”
Vegetation Key:
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Waynesborough Rd.
Crum CreekTributary
The overarching intent was to incorporate a variety of meadows, utilizing the natural topography of the site. The meadows emphasize the importance of the connection between people and nature by providing a natural “touched by the hand of God” design.
Program Key:1. Parking Lot2. Perennial Meadow3. Spirituality Center4. Labyrinth5. Stations of the Cross6. Re-purposed Existing Exit Drive7. Entrance/Exit Drive8. Native Grassy Meadow9. Boardwalk 10. Hermitage11. Perennial Meadow12. Memorial Tree Grove13. Amphitheater14. Path System15. Vegetable Garden16. Columbarium17. Wetland Meadow
Scale: 1”= 350’-0”
MASTER PLAN 1- MEADOW THEME
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Tributary
The amphitheater will be located in the grassy meadow where the Crosses on the Hill are located. The crosses have been restored and now make for a destination area for visitors and community members. The space is located amidst captivating views of the Spirituality Center and gardens. The amphitheater allows for gatherings and celebrations that over-look the pastoral Daylesford Abbey landscape. A fire pit is added to the center of the 4-tier amphitheater for ceremonies and events.
Amphitheater / Vegetable Garden Detail Plan
Amphitheater / Vegetable Garden Section
MASTER PLAN 1- MEADOW THEME
PAGE 5DAYLESFORD ABBEY
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Amphitheater
Crosseson the Hill
Wetland Meadow
Vegetable Garden
Compost Pile
GrassyMeadow
AmphitheaterCrosses on the Hill
Wet Meadow VegetableGarden
TurfTurfGrassyMeadow
Abbey
Scale: 1”= 90’-0”
MASTER PLAN 1- MEADOW THEME
PAGE 6DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Columbarium Section
The columbarium is a unique feature that serves as a destination for remembering those who have passed. The message of the columbarium is a reminder that even though a life may have ended; another life begins, represented by the plantings
St. Norbet Statue &Seatwall
PathColumbarium
Columbarium Path
Turf / WoodlandTurf /Woodland
Stations of the Cross WalkwayStations of the Cross
MASTER PLAN 1- MEADOW THEME
PAGE 7DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Stations of the Cross Section
The Stations of the Cross purpose is to help the faithful make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, through meditating upon the scenes of Christ’s sufferings and death. The stations exist on a mile long loop through the woodland.
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MASTER PLAN 1- MEADOW THEMEView from Boardwalk
This rendering displays an educational destination point located in the grassy meadow adjacent to Waynesborough Road. The space will be used for reflection and observation and connects with the outermost trail system.
The Entrance Garden design reflects the spiritual character of Daylesford Abbey. The focal point is an area of reflection, which includes a low fountain and plantings. The design maintains sight lines toward the Spirituality Center while increasing the overall aesthetic.
MASTER PLAN 1- MEADOW THEME
PAGE 9DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Spirituality Center Entrance Garden
Scale: 1”= 350’-0”
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MASTER PLAN 2- COLOR THEME
PAGE 10DAYLESFORD ABBEY
This second master plan is designed around a theme of color, derived from the stained glass windows featured in the Abbey. Color memorializes the history and celebrates the future of this Norbertine Community through a journey of color experiences.
Waynesborough Rd.S.
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Program Key:1. Labyrinth2. Amphitheater3. Fruit Trees4. Greenhouse/ Aquaponics /
Monastic Art Shop5. Evergreen Tree Farm6. Stations of the Cross7. Entrance/ Exit Drive8. Tributary Rest Patio9. Hermitage10. Wildflower Meadow11. Vegetable Garden12. Cross on the Hill13. Path System14. Love and Forgiveness Garden15. Columbarium16. John the Baptist Garden17. Memorial Tree Grove18. Parking Lot/ Cracked Asphalt Garden19. Spirituality Center
Crum CreekTributary
This detail plan and section display the new columbarium and wildflower meadow. The meadow is established within the 100-year floodplain to create a buffer in storm events. Locating the columbarium near the Abbey makes it easily accessible to visitors.
MASTER PLAN 2- COLOR THEME
PAGE 11 DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Columbarium / Wetland – Wildflower Meadow Section
Columbarium / Wetland – Wildflower Meadow Detail Plan
Turf Turf Patio Garden Patio Stairs ChurchColumbarium
Wetland - Wildflower Meadow
Columbarium
Patio Abbey
Wetland -Wildflower Meadow St. Norbert Statue
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The labyrinth is bounded by a sloping water feature. The bridge entrance represents a bridging over one’s problems into a place of tranquility, heightening one’s ability to meditate. Arrival at the center of the labyrinth represents acceptance of God.
MASTER PLAN 2- COLOR THEME
PAGE 12DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Labyrinth Perspective
This garden is focused upon the five senses and how they can assist in the process of meditation. A stone marks each sense with a bible verse relating to that specific sense.
MASTER PLAN 2- COLOR THEME
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Love and Forgiveness Garden Walk Detail Plan Plant List and AttributesSound:
Touch SightSmell
Sound
Taste
Smell:
Touch:Plant Key Attributes Sight:
Taste:
1. Big Quakinggrass2. Fountain Grass
1. Chocolate Cosmos2. Appalachian Mountain Mint3. Lavender4. Spice Bush5. Lemon Mint
1. Washington Hawthorn2. False Solomons Seal3. Toothache Tree4. Partridge Berry5. Black Chokeberry
1. River Birch2. Sensitive Plant3. Pussy Willow4. Lambs Ear
1. False Indigo2. Eryngium3. Sneezeweed4. Coral Bells5. Beardstongue
A. Attracts Pollinators
B. ColorfulC. Unique TextureD. Edible E. FragrantF. All Season
InterestG. Rabbit ResistantH. Deer Resistant
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This section of the Love and Forgiveness walk is taken through the “Touch garden.” This shows the close interaction that one will have with the plant material. The trees in the foreground provide privacy and enclosure for personal reflection.
MASTER PLAN 2- COLOR THEME
PAGE 14DAYLESFORD ABBEY
Love and Forgiveness Garden Walk Section
GardenTurf Sitting Area/ Pathway Garden Turf
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