189 Knight Road

The Knight’s Retreatdwelling space and conference buildings plans

Note: Formerly, when a knight's name was not known, it was customary to address him as Sir Knight.

The family homestead

New Marlborough MA Cross to Sheffield, (Not called that now) Knight Road Most Land Gone

The family

Dad's side Elizabeth died 1979 Harold died 1984 Raymond (Dad) died 1993

Mom's side Levi died 1970's Louie died 1980's Lucy died 1990's Bet died 1990's Joe died 1995 Clara (Mom) died 1995 James died 2006

The building

Former House from Main Road <white>

Little Red House from nearby (1700's)<redish>

New House (Dad's side) built last <blue/purple>

The lawyers Forced roofing by people C.K. did not want

Result – leaks by 1991, cellar mold by 2002 kitchen floor failed, 2005,

roof fell in Sept 2008, March 2009 .

Forced dissolution of Trust (1995) 5 kinds of mold arrived "overnight"

when Mr. Knight refused to sign a document without first seeking legal counsel. (2000)The “deed” was not “transferred” until 2002 (7years in which Mr. Knight was told that he could not repair anything until he got the deed).

Results of Lawyer's actions In less than 20 years from 1989 (West Side)

Roof Leaked (in 1-2 years) Lawyer said it was “OK”. (bad roof wood not replaced as we had requested).

Floor to bathroom fell in (5 years) [1994] Floor to front porch gave way (7 years) [ 1997] Molds seen “overnight” in basement (10yrs)[2000] Mold found throughout attic and 2nd floor ceilings

the year house deeded to me. (13 years) [2002] Floor to kitchen fell in (16 years) [ 2005] floor to living room settled to soil (17 years) [2006] floor to west porch gave way (18 years) [ 2007] South Side Roof to fell in (19 years) [2008]

Out Buildings

shed roofs are leaking and must be replaced Main Garage hit by car (Dad) now leaning Main woodshed, leaking on south side,

boards off on sides All must be re-roofed by 2010. Shop needs repair, sides and foundation Guest House needs roof, windows and lights. Storage bin (tree fell on it and must be torn down by 2012).

Location of property Pluses (owned land)

May repair original structures (and build later).

Concept tie into existing buildings Location is Close to

Albany, Brattleboro, Springfield, Hartford Problems

Well no longer functions (must be restored by 2015)

Sewage (Cesspool) is not up to code (fix by 2015)

What to do to create a living spaceRepair, Remodel, & Demolish Current House.

This will make a “winter” space by 2012. Create a new Garage/Caretakers Dwelling

Make it able to be lived in (space like a college apartment). Tie new Garage to new Community Building

Offset to attaché to extension of Shed Make offset building look like a barn

Create removable walls Garage/Dwelling Space

Can be easily returned to a Garage function.

How buildings would fit on the land In area that is shaded Look like a barn Constructed in stages

•The darkened area shows the space where the buildings would go. This way they would not be

•Seen from the road•Look other than barn buildings•Allow for time to fix other buildings.•Participants could help with repairs•Be an asset to community and demonstrate green usage.

GOAL: Be off the grid totally in 10 years.

The two new “ministry” buildings

Floor Plans (as envisioned in 2007)

Leftthegarage

(dwelling)

Right Community/“ministry” area with chapel above

NEW Community/ “Ministry” Space Lounge

by fireplace Moveable

Bookcases (on large casters)

flexible activity space

Space-groups lectures

Day retreats small groups of 07 - 70 or so.

Features of the Upper Chapel Upstairs Chapel private worship

& intercession Special events..

Standing Worship Fold-up benches

-elderly/maternity Traditional

Orthodox Church Liturgies of St.s John C., Tikhon, James, Gregory, etc.

Features No corners, fold-up benches, hidden storage, & study.

Chapel Cut-away

Construction No corners

Rounded space Traditional N.E.

Barn-Look outside Inside Orthodox Church

Skylighted & Solar powered Lounge also as

Crying room and small groups Elderly benches fold up. Separate heating for lounge and chapel areas.

Highlights of the public area of Chapel Toilet area

tide into "garage" bathroom

Library area for reading & study

Storage - back of hinged bookcase , etc.

Quiet and great view of rural beauty.

Special Features of Chapel (worship area)

Rounded corners everywhere

central pavilion for icon of Christ the Pantocrator

Light from skylights as if in a chapel in Greece

and east facing lighting. Another world experience

as if God reached down His arms to embrace you.

Features of Chapel Nave (continued) Doors cover windows for warmth in winter and yet cross panes

allow some light in. Allows a procession

as in the rite of Saint James.

Features of the Garage/Caretaker Dwelling Space Planned for mobility

challenged person All interior walls may be

easily be removed to return it to a garage

All (or most) interior walls have top & bottom openings for air & heat flow/circulation hence it is like an "open space".

Coverings to seal openings Flooring solid, laid on a barrier

Slab-on-Grade construction

Garage/Caretaker Dwelling Space cont. South light reflected off roof to

translucent bedroom ceiling Couch for entertaining (flat wall TV)

and a guest to sleep on. Flat wall TV in bedroom

and paraliner & computer stations. Gas heat in space over kitchen area

with tank on north side. Gas heat could be developed from

waste materials. Decking for sitting in the late afternoon

and ramp for ease of elderly access. Functioning Garage overhead door

for access to tools/southern sitting area. Separate south doors for small storage

Lawn Mower, bicycle, etc.

Site Construction Issues

Re-establish the well and pipe it to newer location area

Establish Code approved sewage for usage of 50 males and 50 females with ports to tie future structures in.

Establish electrical service (dug?) With a view towards larger usage

But attempt to be “off the grid” in 10 years.

Future additions and buildings Second lecture Hall, Classroom

So two events can happen at once To allow for meals during conferences Restaurant/camp quality kitchen & food storage

Large Shed to replace Barn Also make for limited, maybe monastic living

Television and Radio Studios and Transmission facilities

Mail and Publication facilities As well as a counselling and Administrative plants.

Immediate Concerns (2009 - 2012) Take 1700's kitchen and tear off of East Side.

This will be moved north, and additions added Restored water and approved sewage tied into this first.

Stabilize and Remove West Side of House Storage for usable items built, may rebuild later

Roof work on remaining east side to make “tight” by 2010.

East Side of family home - raised up and fixed. New Kitchen(ett) area created on north side.

Time lines as of June 2009 2009-2014

Get estimates - all stabilizing work (existing buildings).

Establish priorities for living spaces. For Charlie by the fall of 2009, non-winterized. Winterized central spot (1700's building) finished (2010). Main buildings East side roof secured by 2009-2010. West side building taken down and items saved (2011). “Wings” on 1700's building for winter & guests (2012). East side lifted up & set back down on a good foundation

Also small chapel area usable, load bearing wall reintroduced Kitchen(ett) area and furnace area established (winterized).

This second oldest area to be ready by 2014.

Additional Concerns The progress must be

In small increments, as GOD provides the funds. So Mr. Knight has a weather-tight dwelling spot. Areas provide for other people to assist Mr. Knight Ministry spaces and land purchases, as required. Entity legal papers executed & services provided.

Mr. Knight travels with the mission for the Combined Christian Conferrence during years

while buildings are being rehabbed and built.

All Neighbors are Thankful for these actions.

Financial Concerns “Unless the LORD builds the house,

Those who build it labor in vain...” (Psalm 126:1a, Orthodox Study Bible)

We are under NO false illusions. UNLESS this project, and all efforts to repair and to rehabilitate and even build new, is undertaken under the direct guidance of GOD, it is doomed to failure.

Mr. Knight has NO financial resources to undertake this venture, and he does not have (as of May 09, 2009) any commitments from others to underwrite the costs of these efforts to provide housing and a space for ministry and spiritual growth for all.

But he does believe that this is the direction he must go in. He has tried to learn skills to earn money himself, and as enjoyable as these efforts have been, they have not moved this project along at all. Please pray and ask GOD if this is something HE would have you be involved in, then contact us.

CREATIVE CONCEPTS

Charles Knight 32 Byers Street

Unit # 101 Springfield, MA 01105

Tel. (413) 732-7077

email ni_ck@ymail.com

Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.

Or Donations can be made % The Combined Christian Conferance 189 Knight Road Great Barrington, MA 01230

For more information, contact:

© 2009, C. E. Knight