The Land as Archive
From Monacan lifeways to ecological and agricultural layers of dynamic land relationships, Morven Farm represents the histories of the Virginia Piedmont unlike any other landscape. Its 3,000 acres and 43 existing structures provide a unique platform for hands-on research, multidisciplinary learning, and community building for the Morven Sustainability Lab at the University of Virginia (UVA). Deeply integrated in the UVA’s Architecture School Morven is the site on innovative programs that Cultural Heritage Informatics, Urban Planning, and Ecosystem Management.
The NBW design team worked with the Morven team to create a framework for smart data layers that will serve to guide the planning of future site development, educational and research opportunities. NBW collaborated with University faculty, students, and the Office of the Architect, as well as the UVA Foundation and Morven site staff to create information systems that can be easily accessed, visualized, and used to support the Morven Sustainability Lab’s programs and ambitious vision for this experimental landscape.
