Surrounded by a pristine spruce and birch forest in a 500 acre municipal wilderness park, this 10,500 square foot facility combines a multipurpose room, classroom, reference room, greenhouse, and support spaces for an environmental education program for grade school children. The program is a cooperative effort of the client (a federal agency) and the local public school district. The client’s primary goals were to provide a comfortable place for a positive and memorable experience for the children, and for the building’s design to reinforce the principles of ecology and environmental responsibility that are taught within.
This facility also serves as a visitor center for the park, providing a place to visit, buy trail maps, gather information, or have meetings. It can also be used by various groups, such as the Elder Hostel, for educational programs and retreats.
Energy conservation was paramount to the design. The building was sited to take maximum advantage of southern exposure and the dramatic views of the surrounding mountain range. Additional features include earth berming, high performance windows, motion-sensitive high efficiency lighting, operable windows, and radiant floor heat.