World Birding Center Headquarters

Photo credit: Lake|Flato Architects

Team & Process

Predesign

The predesign process included an exhaustive planning effort and ecological site analysis to identify the appropriate mix of sites, inventory natural resources and development impacts, and plan for restoration and protection of the key resources. Additional lands had to be procured in order to buffer, protect, and expand on the prime resource areas targeted in the plan. In several cases, including the headquarters site, land was donated through extensive negotiations with local owners.

This process allowed new facility development to take place on previously disturbed land outside the primary preservation areas. Existing site impacts within the preserve areas could then be removed and mitigated, providing significant long-term environmental and economic benefits.

Design

The first step in the design process was to work with the owner in an effort to “right size” the building. Through this process, the building square footage was reduced by 35%, resulting in approximately $1.4 million in first-cost savings along with decreased operational and maintenance costs. The structures are designed to provide only the necessary amenities to support visitors in experiencing the landscape.

Primary Design Team Members

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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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