LANDSCAPING FOR WATER QUALITY

This past Thursday and Friday, I was fortunate to be able to attend a seminar at the Lake Sunapee Protective Association.  The program was called “Landscaping for Water Quality in the Sunapee Area” and was administered by representatives from several agencies including; UNH Cooperative Extension, NH Department of Environmental Services, Sea Grant New Hampshire, and the LSPA.

The program’s focus was on providing education and skills to designers, contractors, policymakers, and others who work in the Lake Sunapee watershed.  The program covered topics such as stormwater management and practices, state and local policies, and concluded with a design charrette to apply the practices learned to a real-world situation.  This event was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm and sharpen my skills, as well as gain some new perspectives on an essential aspect of landscape architecture. 

Every project we design at Bonin Architects has some stormwater management practice included, not because the law requires it, but because we appreciate Lake Sunapee and the opportunities it provides, and it’s the right thing to do.

Bonin Architects & Associates is now proudly “SOAK” (Soak Up the Rain) certified in “Landscaping for Water Quality” through NH Cooperative Extension and we look forward to our role in protecting New Hampshire’s lakes, rivers, and streams.

WELCOME TO NEW LONDON

Welcome signs, every town has them.  Until about six weeks ago New London, New Hampshire did not.

When the topic was brought up at a planning board meeting this spring, Bonin Architects volunteered to design these signs for the town.  It was an exciting opportunity to create something that would be seen by so many people and would be a symbol for decades to come.

We went through several iterations, different colors, shapes, mounting arrangements, but settled on black with gold leaf lettering.  The guiding principles were:  To create a design that was classic and elegant and to build on a design language that already exists in town.  You may have noticed the gold on black look at other locations around town like the town office building, Tracy Library, and the New London Fire Department.  The design includes the town seal, which shows three steeples.  Colgate Hall at Colby Sawyer College, Whipple Hall, and the Baptist Church, as well as the year of incorporation, 1779.  We surrounded the seal with a laurel garland, an ancient symbol of victory, success, and prosperity.

RESCUING A NEW LONDON LANDMARK

If you’ve driven down Main Street in New London recently, you’ve probably noticed the “1941” building, formerly the Kearsarge Middle School has been demolished, however, a committee of citizens was able to arrange for the building’s iconic steeple to be removed by crane and preserved.   As community service and involvement is a staple principle of our business, Bonin Architects have volunteered our time to design a monument to display the steeple.  The monument, located on Main St. at the intersection with Cougar Court, will feature bricks salvaged from the old school walls and the building’s “1941” cornerstone.

This project will rely on the support of the community and is a great way to preserve the character of our town.  Fundraising is underway, and many local businesses and citizens have already committed to aiding in the construction of the project.  If you would like to donate, please contact Kim Bonin to make arrangements.

RECENT CHANGES TO THE SHORELAND WATER QUALITY PROTECTION ACT

The Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (RSA 483-B) is an important safeguard for one of New Hampshire’s most precious and valuable natural resources, our Lakes and smaller bodies of water.  Maintaining water quality is essential in protecting our quality of life, the health of the environment, the natural beauty we are so proud of, and NH’s tourism industry and economy.  Earlier this month, “Senate Bill 30” went into effect.  As part of this bill, a few important changes are taking place regarding the SWQPA.

The most noticeable change will be in calculating the vegetative score of waterfront sites.  In the past, sites were divided into 50’x50’ segments along the length of a parcel’s shoreline.  These sections are scored based on the sizes, quantities, and types of vegetation located within.  For example, a 6”-12” caliper tree is worth 10 points, 15 points for a tree greater than 12”, and there are points per square foot of natural groundcover.   The minimum score to be maintained was 50 points.   The new bill has changed this grid to 50’x25’ and has proportionately decreased the minimum score from 50 to 25.

The “Natural Woodland Buffer,” was defined as the area located between 50’ and 150’ of the Reference Line (mean high water elevation).  The definition has been replaced by two new terms.  The “Woodland Buffer” and “Natural Woodland.” The “Woodland Buffer” is now defined as the area between the reference line and 150’, including the 50’ “Waterfront Buffer”. “Natural Woodland” is defined as “a forested area consisting of various species of trees, saplings, shrubs, and ground covers in any combination and at any stage of growth”. Within the Woodland Buffer between 50’ and 150’, 25% needs to be maintained in an unaltered state or improved with additional vegetation as” Natural Woodland.” Other changes apply more to the administrative policies and do not affect the design or management of the shorefront. 

It is important to remember that even though these changes have gone into effect on the state level, most towns (New London, Newbury, Sunapee, for example) have their requirements for their respective zoning ordinances.  These regulations are often more stringent than the state’s and must be followed. These laws, state or local, are designed to protect our water resources, keeping New Hampshire beautiful and clean.

REFRESHING THE BRAND

If someone were to characterize a New Englander, self-reliant is a trait often cited.  That’s particularly true here in New Hampshire.  We have a way of “figuring it out.”  As is true for many small firms, that sentiment permeates our office.  We wear many hats so to speak.  With the design and launch of our updated website, we’ve decided to take a fresh look at the BA&A brand. So lately we’ve been wearing our graphic design hats.

Our challenge: Update our brand to reflect our product better, and do so without abandoning the visual recognition we’ve built over the last decade.

The design process for a logo is similar to architectural or landscape design.  You start with a program, analyze restrictions and benefits, and review the possible options.  From there you take the best ideas and refine them until the best solution presents itself.  It’s substantial work, and I appreciate the graphic designer's profession more than ever.  So, keep an eye out for our new look, coming soon.

NH WILDFLOWERS

As a Landscape Architect and admirer of the local New Hampshire Flora, early June is one of my favorite times of the year.  One of the most impressive native NH wildflowers starts blooming and never fails to catch my eye.  Small colonies of Lupines (Lupinus sp.) jut out along the sides of the road as you're driving through the countryside.  You’ll recognize them by their large spikes of purple to pink flowers and unmistakable compound leaves.

Here are some in bloom in a wildflower meadow we created for clients of ours in the Lakes Region.  As part of this landscape design, we reclaimed a significant portion of the lawn and re-vegetated much of the waterfront landscape with native NH plant species. Locally, a great place to see lupines for yourself is the traffic circle at the base of Mount Sunapee in Newbury.  The flowers usually stay in bloom for the entire month of June; get out and see them while you can.