Piscola Plantation sits within the rolling topography of the quail hunting belt in southern Georgia, a short drive south from the quaint town of Quitman. The nearly 1,800 acres, comprised predominantly of slash pine planting, is bordered to the north by Piscola Creek and to the west by US Highway 221. The varied topography is highlighted by mature oak specimens and four large cypress ponds measuring close to 50 acres contiguously.

McKee Carson & Field Sport Concepts, Ltd. (FSC) worked closely with the client, architects, wildlife biologists, surveyors, engineers and a host of contractors throughout the master planning phase to ensure the main programmatic elements of the plantation worked in concert with one another. This included field investigations to determine the proper siting of the lodge and guest cottages, equestrian barn and paddocks, shooting facilities, entry drive and secondary trails, manager’s cottage and the maintenance barn and kennel facilities.

Once the master planning process was complete, FSC began working with Summerour & Associates Architects to design and lay out both the lodge and shooting facilities. Work on the lodge and guest cottages included designing the entry court, pool and lawn terraces and accompanying gardens. Other work in this design development phase was the layout of the equestrian facility complete with a 12-stall horse barn, riding ring and paddocks. Attention was also given to the maintenance barn and kennels to ensure both facilities were located correctly on the property and that circulation could occur between the two seamlessly.

Surrounding these major programmatic elements are hundreds of acres of quail, dove, duck, turkey and deer habitat. Thinning the slash pine stands with a plantation cut, re-establishing native grasses to these stands, and developing perimeter food plots ensures the health of all animals calling this property home while also providing a first-class hunting experience.

The overarching vision shared by the client and design team was to create a place in which one can relax and enjoy the serenity and beauty of this property. Thus all elements, from the architectural vernacular to the wildlife habitat improvements, seek to lay lightly upon the landscape and possess a sense of permanence that is deserving of the Timucua Indian phrase terra chula meaning "relaxing landscape."

For the project Storybook click on the following link.  Terra Chula Plantation