First Churches
Landscape Design

Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts
2002-2003

Located on the site of the settlers’ first meetinghouse, the First Churches’ neo-gothic brownstone edifice is the geographic and architectural centerpiece of the City of Northampton’s downtown. DDA’s design for its Main Street frontage has transformed the sorry state it was in, characterized by deteriorated fencing, a sparse compacted lawn, obstructive nuisance trees and tripping hazards aplenty. High-limbed Elm trees and lighting now frame and illuminate the façade. New period style fencing restores historic conditions. A commodious granite retaining wall coping provides ample seating, which flanks gracious new granite steps up to the building. New accessible walkways welcome all visitors. Two raised lawn panels between seating wall and sidewalk are simple green precursors of future perennial planting beds. Even without this garden area, semi-circular steps and other DDA design touches, First Churches’ Main Street frontage is now a distinguished and inviting place.