Raven Hills Fancy Gap (Patrick & Carroll Counties) VA Resort and Conference Center celebrates rural character. The vernacular landscape of southwestern Virginia includes rolling meadows, steep wooded slopes, and distant views to the south. Each of these qualities is embodied and celebrated in the layout for the Raven Hills resort. Composite Inc. created a plan for about 30 acres adjoining the Blue Ridge Parkway after thorough environmental analysis and ground-truthing. The landscape architects sought to protect views from the adjacent Parkway (a National Park Service facility) while providing an array of facilities to accomodate conferences, extended stays, and weekend getaways in the High Country. At the rear of a large pasture dotted with orchard trees is the conference facility, planned to accomodate organized groups for seminars and meetings. Short-term cabins are located along a narrow ridge in clusters for individual or small-group use. Nestled against an existing woodlot is the equestrian area, where horses are stabled for trail rides. Two ponds have been incorporated into the design along with meandering streams and a wildflower meadow. Hiking and equestrian trails have been sited to respect the more delicate portions of the tract while providing access to the natural beauty of the laurel woods. The project demonstrates how a destination facility can be developed in a regional vernacular on an environmentally challenging site without compromising the intrinsic quality of the landscape.

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