Westcave Preserve Env. Learning Center

Photo credit: Jackson & McElhaney Architects

Team & Process

Predesign

The project is located within a preserve, where every square inch is considered precious. The preserve is fairly small (30 acres) and the allowed development site for buildings, parking, and other development was only approximately half an acre.

The design team studied five possible sites for the structures and selected the site on which construction would cause the least impact. It is a fairly flat, open space without trees, which provided good accessibility to all sides. The remnant ranch road was used for vehicular circulation.

Predesign meetings addressed programming space to meet the educational programs that had been successful for the past 25 years. Because only 30 visitors can tour the preserve's falls and grotto at once, the building needed to provide self-guided building tours to help stage the canyon tours.

Design

During charrette sessions, the idea of the building as a “wilderness classroom”—that would provide standard teaching tools and equipment but feel like an open-air shelter—took shape.

Construction

Protecting the surrounding site during construction was essential. Coordinating material storage, work staging, and trash management was critical. The contractor became a true partner in making this project a success.

Operations/Maintenance

The preserve is operated and managed by two staff and volunteers. All are trained to conserve energy and use the project's sustainable features as educational tools.

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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