World Birding Center Headquarters

Photo credit: Hester + Hardaway, Paul Hester

Land Use & Community

The headquarters for the World Birding Center is located in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. The location was selected through an exhaustive planning process, which included a land specialist, architects, planners, a biologist, a birding specialist, and local community partners. The lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas is one of the richest bird habitats in the world. However, over the past century suburban and agricultural developments along with river diversions have so severely impacted the landscape that only 5% of the native Tamaulipan Thorn Scrub habitat currently remains.

The land chosen falls within an area that was once covered with ancient Resacas (or river oxbows). A prime motivation of the site selection was the ability to restore it to a native landscape. By situating the Center at the transition area between disturbed land and the native habitat, the project team gained the opportunity interpret the story of a lost habitat.

The buildings are designed to fit their environmental and cultural context. The forms, systems, and materials relate to the agricultural vernacular, which dominates the valley’s architectural landscape. Local farmers traditionally cluster buildings to create a tree-shaded oasis for their homes. These oases punctuate the valley landscapes typically at the edges of farmers' fields, near the roads. The World Birding Center Headquarters seeks to create a garden oasis in a similar manner. The buildings are clustered to create shady garden space and shield summer sun.

The center connects to the hiking and biking trail linking the surrounding neighborhoods. Private vehicle access to the preservation area has been removed. A large shade arbor shelters visitors waiting for the electric trams that will provide access to the preserve.

In addition to providing protective habitat exhibits and gardens, the visitor center will provide for both school group activities and large community events. A small café overlooks wildlife guzzlers as a gathering spot for local birders. A multiuse meeting space is provided for use by both the community and the World Birding Center.

Exterior light pollution is a major problem in coastal bird habitat and flyways. Exterior parking and path lighting are hooded to shield light leakage to the night sky. Path lights near the habitat garden are low-level red lights to minimize nighttime habitat disturbance and glare on human eyes.

Green Strategies

• Property Evaluation
  • Hire a landscape architect or other specialist to evaluate prospective properties
• Responsible Planning
  • Carry out mixed-use development
• Properties with Excessive Impacts
  • Avoid properties where damage to fragile ecosystems cannot be avoided
• Support for Appropriate Transportation
  • Provide access to public transportation

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Our thanks to the ENERGY STAR program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and to the U.S. Department of Energy, and to BuildingGreen, Inc. for hosting the submission and judging forms.

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