Plumb Place is a women's shelter housed in a historic mansion in downtown Emporia, Kansas. Because the building is on the historic register, the design could not affect the two sides of the building facing the street, but the back side is fair game! They have a large, sunny back yard and a shadier property next-door to the north, and they wanted to grow all manner of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, along with native flowers for bees.
I immediately saw the potential for water catchment from the large expanse of roof, which is currently causing some drainage problems. Because of aesthetics, most of the water will be channeled into rain gardens away from the foundation. Also because of aesthetics, most of the vegetable garden space will be contained in raised beds.
This property was sold to a different owner before the design could be implemented.
