Project overview: Land’s Sake Farm is a non-profit community farm located on public land. The Farm’s mission is to connect people to the land to build community and inspire lifelong stewardship that creates meaningful connections between people, the food they eat, and the land by preserving the town’s rural farming heritage and expanding the mission of farming and education.
The new Farmstand is the result of a seven-year pro bono effort that began with a master plan; it is the centerpiece and fourth of five buildings to be completed. The structures are sited to preserve the “infinite vista” through the heart of the historic site and explore the craft and materiality of “First Settlers” building techniques, with a confident nod toward modernity. The Farmstand is at home in a New England landscape surrounded by historic homes and agrarian structures; it is a model for sustainable construction, demonstrating how buildings can be functional, beautiful and environmentally conscious by showcasing a unique blend of traditional and cutting-edge techniques.
A heavy timber pavilion floating in the landscape, the Farmstand is a gathering place entwined with nature. Capped with an iconic solar array and an ever-changing roof, it is enclosed with a wood curtainwall system with sliding glass panels that transform into an open-air structure during the warmer months. Back-of-house functions are clad in natural pine siding and a system of translucent sliding panels bring light into work areas—opening and closing in response to weather, time of day, type of use or season.
Project location: Weston, Massachusetts
Firm name: PAYETTE
Architect of Record: PAYETTE
Completion: 2023
Client: Land’s Sake Farm
Jury comments: The Land’s Sake Farmstand project is an impressive submission that successfully integrates sustainability, community engagement, and educational goals. The design is thoughtful, blending traditional New England building techniques with modern, low-carbon technologies. The project emphasizes community involvement and environmental stewardship, reflecting the farm’s mission of connecting people to the land. The architect’s work was performed 100% pro bono, and the all-timber building is a fitting choice for such a program.
