This 5-acre property on the outskirts of town is more than just a commercial development.  It is the site of a small-business owner's dream to incorporate sustainability, educational demonstration, and recreation into the picturesque agrarian context of central Illinois.

Home of a tree care service, the site has very functional needs:  Tree waste processing, equipment storage, and space for office and shop operations.  However, the client's ambitious vision incorporates hiking trails, ecological restoration, outdoor education, and Hugelkultur-- a variant of permaculture that uses wood debris and organic matter to retain moisture and generate nutrient-rich soil.

Bernau Design crafted a vision and roadmap for phased implementation.  Large swaths of native prairie plantings and infiltration basins reduce stormwater runoff.  The basins also help balance cut-fill earthwork to elevate new buildings above the flat terrain while minimizing imported fill.  Allées of native trees and prairie create moments of threshold and discovery while also screening back-of-house operations.  The plan presents an artistic movement through the property to balance functional needs and recreational use.