Four Elements Farm And Retreat Center


~ Level 2 Whole Site Design ~

Level 2 – Whole Site Design


Location: Atascadero, CA

Project Scope: 7th Generation Design was invited by the Duell Family to create a whole site design for their 47 acre farm and retreat-center-to-be tucked high in the hills above Atascadero. The client’s goals included developing a holistic plan that would enable organized and effective implementation of the many fun and creative elements they would like to see nestled within their home landscape. A retreat center for small group work also featured prominently in the design.

The Land: The 47 acre property is poised atop a coastal mountain range and located in a verdant bowl. A spring flows year round through the property, and two old constructed ponds currently sit in the creek run. The property is adjacent to a 400+ acre parcel, portions of which the FEF team manages for growing calendula – a key ingredient in several of the skin care products produced by their company All Good. The site is influenced by both coastal and inland climates given its position atop the mountain range. Wildlife is abundant and varied, and the site is largely surrounded by native chaparral and mixed oak forest.

.

Existing Conditions & Infrastructure


  • Arriving at Four Elements Farm

  • Market Garden

    Produces CSA share boxes for All Good employees.

  • Spring-fed Pond

  • Existing Strawbale Greenhouse

    Used primarily for drying calendula

  • FEF Homestead And Retreat Center

Work Performed


  • Extensive site survey and aerial mapping of 80+ acres
  • Design roadmapping using the Strategic Planning Framework
  • Element analysis, relationship mapping and siting for homestead and retreat related infrastructure including…
    • campsites and glampsites
    • retreat center lodge and communal meeting areas
    • sacred space
    • natural swimming pool
    • chicken yard
    • bicycle pump track and climbing wall
    • miles of trails for hiking and biking.
  • Creation of full-site basemaps and multiple focus area call outs to guide implementation.
Looking towards the future home of the lodge, established mandarins in the foreground and proposed camp site zones on the right.

Design Map Gallery