Pringle Creek is featured in a fascinating web magazine: "Terrain.org. A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments is a twice yearly online journal searching for that interface--the integration--among the built and natural environments, that might be called the soul of place." The article is One Green Thing Leads to Another: Sustainability at the Pringle Creek Community.
Pringle Creek Community’s portion of the old institution had been used for growing food in the gardens and in the two historic Lord and Burnham glass greenhouses, each more than 2,500 square feet in size, and contained the institution’s central steam-heat plant and a number of construction support facilities.
When SDI [Sustainable Development Inc., owner/developer of Pringle Creek Community] and the design team began their discussions about the project they realized it would be focused on the very things—food, energy, and construction—that were the legacy of the property. The new neighborhood would have extensive community gardens and the greenhouses would be restored to active use. The greenhouses and many of the homes would have geothermal heating and cooling, making use of an existing high-capacity well. Many of the homes and buildings would use solar energy for hot water and electricity. Construction on the project would showcase craftsmanship, durability, and state-of-the-art green materials and technology.
