WALKER CENTER
Auburndale, MA
The former Walker Center for Ecumenical Exchange in Auburndale, MA, is being redeveloped into a residential community with communal gathering spaces and shared amenities.
Founded in 1870 by Eliza Walker as a home for children of missionaries serving abroad, the property evolved into an international center for education, cultural exchange, and social justice. After more than a century of service, financial struggles led to its gradual decline and eventual closure in 2021.
Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, Ryan Associates assisted with site plan development, landscape design, permitting, and construction documentation. The re-envisioned property includes the residential conversion of existing historic buildings, as well as two new townhome buildings.
A new accessible public courtyard sits at the heart of the site, while private patios are positioned around its perimeter. A major focus was preserving the character of the existing property, including protecting the magnificent beech tree at the corner of Hancock and Grove Streets and selecting hardscape materials that complement the existing historic architecture.
This project is currently under development.
Images by: Walker Center and Ryan Associates