Author: gina2

Huntsville is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the United States Army Aviation & Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal. Now it’s also home to one of the largest indoor aquatics complexes in the United States.

The Huntsville Aquatics Center project combined an existing 50-meter swimming pool in the 50-year-old Brahan Spark Natatorium with two new swimming pools – one designed for easy access for people with limited mobility and a competition pool.

Nola | VanPeursem Architects in Huntsville began designing the new aquatics center in January 2015, working to address the many amenities desired by the Huntsville Swim Association and other users. The project received the 2018 North Alabama AIA Honor Award and the 2017 Facility of the Year award from the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association.

The AIA jury noted that the large windows lining the competition pool achieve “a poetic balance between the natural and created water bodies” and “a contemporary aesthetic is established both internally and externally, as exterior cladding is used to create a look of simplified modernity, while exposed mechanical systems throughout the interior give the building an industrial presence.”

The primary objective was to create a connected venue to support large regional swim meets. The design connects the three pools with a common entrance, locker facilities and support spaces.

Situated in Brahan Spring Park adjacent to a lake, the site created the opportunity to take advantage of park and water views for the competition pool’s 1,500-seat grandstand. Water is evident in the overall design such as the entry’s curvilinear roof.

Part of the design approach was a “wave look” with the column positions forming a “W” for water and the diagonal column positions reinforcing the notion of motion or movement, explains Rob Van Peursem of Nola | VanPeursem Architects.

Several design challenges were met, such as designing the building around the existing building and keeping it operational throughout the project. It was also necessary to develop a wet side and a dry side so spectators could stay dry, and also allow swimmers access to the three pools and locker room without crossing paths with the dry side.

Image 1: The swimming pool is 50 meters long by 25 yards wide, and has two three-meter and two one-meter Maxi-Flex diving boards. The instructional pool provides warm water therapy at 90 degrees, and an in-water bench with jets as well as a handicapped access ramp into the water.

Image 2: Huntsville’s new aquatics center opened in July 2017. The facility features three large pools, new restrooms, conference and hospitality space, offices and concessions, and a new terrace overlooking the Brahan Spring Park lagoon.

Image 3: The 90,000-square-foot aquatics center features state-of-the-art electrical and scoring systems. Generators were installed to restore lights in the event of power outages.

Image 4: The new Huntsville Aquatic Center, formerly Brahan Spring Park Natatorium, is said to be one of the nation’s largest indoor-outdoor swimming facilities. Amenities include shower and locker rooms, a sundeck and a motorized roof that can be rolled back on warm days.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of  Nola | VanPeursem Architects

 

Opelika has long made revitalization efforts a priority and was the first participating city in DesignAlabama’s new DesignPlace program that provides assistance with design, planning and community identity.

Another improvement is replacing the city’s 50-year-old police station and municipal court building with a modern facility, designed by Montgomery-based Seay, Seay and Litchfield. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2019.

Opelika’s police station and municipal court complex has not been renovated since 1977. Designed to replace the old and deteriorating building, the new $18.5 million facility will have state-of- the-art technology to allow for faster police response times.

The new complex is 37,000 square feet with the police station in one wing and the municipal court in the other, with the two sharing one interior door. Also included in the complex are police training and day rooms, an exercise room, kennel area for six canines, a 911 dispatch center, administrative offices, conference room, along with a secure drug testing area and increased storage space.

Storage for evidence will double in size and the investigative services area has added space. The Interview rooms are being redesigned and the patrol roll call room will be enlarged to enable police officers to expedite roll call and be out on the streets in less time.

Planes and volumes-defining space characterize the sophisticated modern design. Though the design is inspired by contemporary architecture, project architect Jeffrey Bazzell chose vernacular materials used for other buildings in the area in order to integrate the new complex into its surroundings.

The building is designed with a pleasing sense of contrasting building materials. Brick and cast stone were selected for the exterior skin “inspired by buildings found in historic downtown Opelika,” Bazzell says.

A welcoming court entry plaza brings visitors into the main public areas. This inviting atmosphere is achieved with an expansive metal and glass curtain wall, benches and extensive landscaping.

Image 1: The contemporary design is continued in the interior, including the municipal court lobby. The complex is expected to be complete in 2019.

Image 2: The court entry plaza is inviting with the use of an expansive metal and glass curtain wall, benches and extensive landscaping.

Image 3: The entrance to the police department is clearly defined with a brick wall and steps leading to the main doors. The new police station will have state-of- the-art technology to allow for faster response times.

 

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Seay Seay & Litchfield

Many factors come into play when creating a community’s distinct identity, which is not achieved simply with a new logo or tagline.

A successful community brand strategy develops over time and brings stakeholders together to chart a common vision. Then devise a way to fulfill that vision.

This is the approach Priceville took with its new website, designed by Montgomery-based Copperwing Design. “Our design approach for the town of Priceville began with a brand-storming session with city leadership,” explains Angela Stiff, Copperwing’s principal and creative director.

“The information gathered was fundamental to creating a site that mirrored Priceville’s pastoral and picturesque landscape, their warm and vibrant community, and the momentum for economic growth. The color palette, images and fonts were all selected to ‘feel’ like Priceville — energetic, welcoming and full of charm.”

Stiff notes that websites are often the first impression of a community because many people use them to learn about an area before they travel there. The aesthetics as well as an organized navigation can set initial expectations of a place, its leadership and quality of life, she adds.

Priceville’s new website includes concise, easily understood text in a simple font. It is also eye-catching with the use of contrasting colors and inviting imagery. For example, “Places to Stay” is in blue and below it “Where to Eat” is in yellow, each with accompanying images. Throughout are links to learn more about the town.

Priceville has partnered with DesignAlabama’s DesignPlace program to look at the community’s future direction, and its new website is part of this effort.

“The website is a harbinger of an evolving community with a vision for the future,” Stiff points out. “The personality set forth online will encourage businesses to take a closer look at Priceville as a potential homesite. The website is hopefully also fostering a sense of pride among current residents.”

Image 1: The new website reflects Priceville’s pastoral and picturesque landscape, its warm and vibrant community, along with its momentum for economic growth.

Image 2: Images, fonts and color palette were all selected to ‘feel’ like Priceville, as well as convey its welcoming and energetic characteristics.

Image 3: Attracting visitors and investors, as well as fostering a sense of pride in its residents, are primary goals of the new city of Priceville website.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Copperwing

“If you build it, they will come,” says Kevin Costner’s character in “Field of Dreams.” Indeed they came when ArchitectureWorks Lead Architect Bruce Lanier built MAKEbhm, turning a former warehouse into studio and production space for others to build – everything from woodworking and printmaking to metal craft and ceramics.

Located in the Avondale neighborhood of Birmingham, MAKEbhm provides studio space, production facilities and classes in a 22,000 square-foot multi-use development that also houses retail space and offices. Along with professional-grade studios, a 4,000-square -foot co-working space is available for graphic designers, architects, journalists and attorneys.

A second MAKEbhm location is set to open in 2019, a few blocks away on First Avenue South, says Chris Izor, MAKEbhm director of operations.

The idea for MAKEbhm was born out of Lanier’s need to find space for his woodworking equipment. Turns out other people also needed workspace, equipment and a place to join forces with other “makers.”

Renovating the warehouse that houses MAKEbhm was achieved on a limited budget. The result is a functional, spare and authentic. Practical materials such as pre-finished plywood and artificial turf were used to be both serviceable and playful.

Storage racks for lumber and a large gallery wall provide organizational elements for the foyer and multi-use space by separating public and private areas. Air circulates with large fans and solar tubes bring in natural daylight. Also featured is a 60 kW rooftop solar array that at the time of installation in 2017 was the largest non-utility-owned array in the region.

Image 1: Located in Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood, MAKEbhm provides studio space, production facilities and classes in a 22,000 square-foot multi-use development . Try your hand at printmaking, woodworking, metal craft, ceramics and other pursuits.

Image 2: A second location just a few blocks away is scheduled to open in 2019 on First Avenue South. The building was previously an events venue and garage called Old Car Heaven.

Image 3: Along with professional-grade studios, a 4,000 square foot co-working space is available for graphic designers, architects, journalists and attorneys.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of MAKEbhm

Plans are underway to improve the quality of life in Auburn, thanks to the creation of the Auburn Parks, Recreation and Cultural Master Plan. The plan identifies areas of need and provides a comprehensive look at Auburn’s parks, recreational amenities and public library system.

The goal is to upgrade and expand Auburn’s parks, recreation, arts and cultural programming, along with greenspace and greenways, trails, public facilities, landscaping and enhanced natural features.

Phase 1 is expected to begin in 2019, which consists of 13 projects and is estimated to take six years. Several of these initial projects are smaller projects and three are considerably larger, says Becky Richardson, director of the city of Auburn’s Parks and Recreation.

Landscape architect Jason Weckerly, who leads Foresite Group’s Greenspace + Land Design Practice Area nationwide, is project manager for the master plan. He says the plan provides a complete summary of what Auburn is lacking in terms of recreational, arts and library programs and various facilities, as compared to other similar-sized communities.

“The gap analysis determined a clear path in developing concept plans and programs that help to address those gaps and needs for the citizens of Auburn,” Weckerly explains. “This is a very exciting time for the city of Auburn, as the recommendations put forth in the master plan go into detailed design and become fully realized in the coming years.”

Richardson says separate citizen’s surveys were conducted in the areas of parks, recreation and culture amenities for the master planning project.

“The parks and recreation survey listed trails and parks as highly rated and there are several projects that address this in various areas of the city,” she says. “Two of the concepts tie into the Northwest Auburn Plan with passive parks and trails,” she says.

“In addition, the Society Hill Road fields will replace the softball fields at Felton Little Park which can be converted to a downtown greenspace. Special events were a priority in the arts survey and the projects, especially Felton Little and the arts center renovation. And expansion looked at providing more space to have these types of events both big and small.”

The citizen’s survey also showed the desire for additional senior programs and special needs programs, Richardson notes.

“Our satisfaction numbers have shown some slippage due to lack of space,” she continues. “Some of the projects were geared toward creating additional space for all types of programs. Pickleball (a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis) is a tremendously popular senior activity sweeping the country so building six courts with room to add others in the future seemed logical, especially since our staff places an emphasis on seniors staying active.”

Existing plans were also incorporated into the master plan, including the Northwest Auburn Plan and the Downtown Master Plan, Richardson says.

Additional phases of the plan are possible, Richardson says. “Of course, trends change but I would guess that at least two additional phases and maybe three will address all of the recommendations. Some of these would require acquiring additional property.”

Image 1- The walkability map indicates walkable areas within the master plan. The plan provides a summary of what Auburn is lacking in recreational, arts and library programs and various facilities, as compared to other similar-sized communities.

Image 2- An important component to the master plan is the proposed park locations. Phase 1 is expected to begin in 2019, which consists of 13 projects estimated to be completed in six years.

Image 3- Separate citizen’s surveys were also conducted in the areas of parks, recreation and culture amenities for the master planning project. Special events were a priority in the arts survey and the citizen’s survey also showed the desire for additional senior programs and special needs programs.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong/Images Courtesy of The City of Auburn

Mobile County has a new 31,000-square-foot Emergency Operations Center designed by TAG/The Architects Group, Inc. to meet the needs of the Mobile County Emergency Management Agency.

“The organizing force of the facility is the need to provide a centralized space for the coordination of the Mobile County’s municipalities and agencies during emergency conditions,” says Brad Davis, TAG project manager, who designed the facility along with Ronnie Taylor, TAG’s president and principal. “All of the building’s functions and systems are arranged to support this mission.” Construction of the facility was led by Wharton-Smith, Inc.

The Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, provides the central space with municipality and agency representatives configured into work groups to enhance discussion and communication. Audio-visual systems such as a video wall, video monitors and microphones are deployed to assist each of the work groups as well as directing and coordinating the overall operations. Decisions developed by the EOC are communicated by phone and radio to direct first responders and other field operations.

Seventy-eight work stations are in the new center, along with a storm shelter and safe rooms for tornados and hurricanes. The conference room is arranged for video conferencing to coordinate operations with state and federal agencies.

Break-out rooms provide flexible spaces for sub-groups to resolve problems as the need arises. The dormitories provide sleeping bunks so that emergency operations can continue around the clock. Additionally, the building envelope and mechanical yards are designed to meet FEMA-361 standards for hurricane and tornado storm conditions, thereby ensuring continuity of operations of the building and utility systems.

 

 

Image 1 – The new Emergency Operations Center, as seen in this rendering, features state-of-the-art communications and audio-visual equipment to coordinate and respond to emergency events. Audio-visual systems such as a video wall, video monitors and microphones are deployed to assist each of the work groups, and direct and coordinate overall operations.

Image 2 -TAG/The Architects Group, Inc. in Mobile has designed the new Emergency Operation Center for Mobile County. All of the building’s functions and systems are arranged to provide a centralized space for the coordination of the Mobile County’s municipalities and agencies during emergency conditions.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of TAG/The Architects Group and Wharton-Smith Inc.

 

 

Architects are reevaluating the way they create modern learning spaces, putting the student experience at the forefront of design. So much so that the AIA has a committee — the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education – devoted to this important sector of architecture.

This commitment to excellence in school design is evident at Creative Montessori School in Homewood. ArchitectureWorks in Birmingham has created a master plan for this innovative school that maximizes the learning experience based on its educational goals and plans for expansion.

Phase One is complete, which includes preschool classrooms, community and lunch rooms, administration offices, media center and site development. In addition, the firm designed and built a donor wall and furniture for the school.

“Creative Montessori is a close-knit community and the building reinforces this through its variety of scaled gathering spaces,” explains partner-in-charge Jay Pigford. “A large scale community room for school-wide meetings, shared outdoor spaces where students from adjacent classrooms come together, and paired entries to the classrooms where parent drop-off encourages informal catch-up moments.”

Wood harvested onsite from oak trees was used throughout the project as the ceiling finish. Flooding the spaces with natural light reduced artificial lighting needs while also connecting the spaces to the changing seasons and outdoor activity.

Direct access to the exterior from the classrooms weaves the building into the landscape and creates more opportunities for Montessori’s experience-based learning. Landscaping for the project was provided by Macknally Land Design and Johnson-Kreis Construction was the contractor. Both are based in Birmingham.

Image 1: The building contains several scaled gathering spaces. A large-scale community room for school-wide meetings, shared outdoor spaces where students from adjacent classrooms come together, and paired entries to the classrooms where parent drop off students encourages informal catch-up moments.

Image 2: Phase One of the master plan for Create Montessori School in Homewood is complete. In addition to site development, the first phase includes preschool classrooms, community and lunch rooms, administration offices and a media center.

Image 3: Wood harvested onsite from oak trees was used throughout the project as the ceiling finish. Flooding the spaces with natural light reduced artificial lighting needs while also connecting the spaces to the changing seasons and outdoor activity.

Image 4: Direct access to the exterior from classrooms weaves the building into the landscape and creates more opportunities for Montessori’s experience-based learning. ArchitectureWorks also designed and built a donor wall and the furniture for the school.

* Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of ArchitectureWorks

KPS Group’s Principal and Huntsville Studio Director Kristine Harding, who has worked tirelessly to advance architectural licensure, can now add FAIA after her name. A member of the AIA North Alabama chapter, Harding is one of 154 new members of the College of Fellows for 2018.

The College of Fellows is the highest rank in the AIA awarded to those who have been a member for at least 10 years and made significant contributions to architecture and society. Harding notes that out of 113,000 licensees in the United States and U.S. territories, only 50,000 are AIA members, and just three percent of its membership is elevated to fellowship.

In the fellowship submission, applicants must provide a summary statement that focuses on their service. Harding’s statement observes that her “focus on one strategic goal – facilitate licensure – has redefined the profession’s approach to ensuring the resiliency of practice in the 21st century and advances strong, active alliances between NCARB and AIA.”

Harding has made advancing architectural licensure a priority for the past 13 years. Her National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) leadership, which includes serving as its 2016-2017 president, has improved licensure criteria, helping to ensure the highest standards for architectural practice nationwide.

Additionally, Harding worked to strengthen the partnership between the NCARB and its peer organizations, which include the AIA. A collaborative approach also extends to Harding’s project work and she is active in AIA at the national, regional and state level, where she received its highest honor – the AIA Alabama Council’s Accolade Award.

Encouraging more women and minorities to pursue architecture and achieve licensure is a goal in the profession, and Harding says: “It is our moral imperative as architects to work in K-12 programs to introduce architecture to our future generations, to mentor students in the universities and to hire emerging professionals and supervise them through the NCARB AXP (Architectural Experience Program) to grow our talent. This is not only important for attracting women, but also underrepresented ethnic, minority and socio economic populations.”

Gender and racial disparities are on the decline, according to the NCARB report, “NCARB by the Numbers.” According to the report, in 2016 women accounted for 36 percent of newly licensed architects and 42 percent of new Architect Registration Examination candidates. Racial and ethnic diversity is also improving, although at a slower pace. For comparison, 15 percent of new architects and 30 percent of new exam candidates identified as non-white.

Says Cheryl Morgan, a member of the Birmingham Chapter of the AIA who was elevated to FAIA in 2014 for her work in education: “FAIA is divided into several categories – some, like design, are much more competitive than others. I feel I was competitive because my work at Auburn’s Urban Studio was not only about providing Auburn’s fifth year architecture students with a robust learning environment, but because our Small Town Design Initiative gave me an opportunity to ‘teach’ across the whole state.”

Today, there are as many women as men in architecture programs yet women are still under-represented in the ranks of the licensed, Morgan says.

“You can only call yourself an architect if you are licensed. You can only be a full member of the AIA if you are a licensed architect and can only be nominated for FAIA if you have been AIA for at least 10 years. Many people have tried to explain why so many women choose never to become licensed. It’s unfortunate to me because the title does acknowledge the years of hard study, internship and work… There are increasing numbers of women being elevated, but our ranks are still not equal in the pool of licensed architects so the number of FAIA, at best, can only reflect our percentages in the profession.”

Women bring sensitivities, insight and perspective to the design problems that architects are asked to resolve, Morgan points out, and says that as a teacher, she was privileged to see women thrive and excel meeting the challenges and demands as ably as their male colleagues.

“Until we have more and better choices for child care, family leave and flex time I fear we will have little potential for retaining some of our best and most talented designers and future architects: women. As more women are achieving leadership positions in firms and opening their own firms, I am hopeful that these needs will be recognized and there will be better and more equitable paths for women to become licensed and contribute their amazing skills and abilities in shaping our built environment.”

Image 1 – Kristine Harding, KPS Group’s Principal and Huntsville Studio Director, was elevated to the AIA’s College of Fellows in 2018, primarily for her work in advancing architectural licensure.

Image 2 -Clearview Cancer Institute in Huntsville is among Harding’s wide range of projects. Harding designed the 114,000-square-foot center as a calming and welcoming environment for patients and their families.

Image 3- Harding designed the National Children’s Advocacy Center headquarters in Huntsville, which revolutionized response to child sexual abuse in the United States. Since its creation in 1985, the Huntsville center has served as a model for children’s advocacy centers in the United States and worldwide.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of KPS, Inc.

Located three miles north of downtown Mobile, Africatown has always held historical significance since it was formed by a group of 32 West Africans, who in 1860 were included in the last known illegal shipment of slaves to the United States.

A number of improvements are being made to revitalize Africatown and the surrounding area. Among the latest is the Africatown Connection Blueway Kayak Trail Plan, which includes a kayak launch, fishing pier and public parks to be built under the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge as part of the Africatown Connection Blueway.

A partnership between the National Park Service and local community groups in Africatown, the Blueway project will connect Africatown with Africatown State Park in Prichard. The trail includes parts of Chickasaw Creek, the Mobile River and Three Mile Creek, and is designed to increase public access to the water.

Creeks and bayous located in Africatown and nearby Prichard connect to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, but more launches are needed to make these waterways more easily reached. The mission is to preserve the natural spaces, habitat and waterways of historic Africatown and Africatown State Park in Prichard, as well as the 10 miles of Chickasaw Creek that connect the two.

The Africatown Connection Blueway Kayak Trail Plan was a spring 2018 project for Mississippi State University Department of Landscape Architecture design students in a class taught by Extension Professor Bob Brzuszek and his colleague Chuo Li.

“Our students were able to visit the area and were thoroughly impressed by the history and spirit of the Africatown community and its leaders,” Brzuszek says.

“The primary objective of this project was to provide conceptual design ideas for the residents to consider for important historical areas in the community and explore how they could be better accessed through existing waterways or pedestrian trails.”

Students assessed how the areas were currently being used and then conceived how they could be designed to improve community use and potential tourist visitation, Brzuszek adds.

“Through this project, students learned the compelling story of the Africatown settlers, and the strong sense of legacy and pride amongst its current community leaders.”

Joe Womack, president of the Africatown-C.H.E.S.S community group, grew up in Africatown and remembers when people in the community were often fishing, swimming, and taking pleasure from the water. He also recalls how Africatown and the surrounding area developed into an industrial zone that caused water access to become limited.

“It’s like the windows of heaven are finally opening up over Africatown and pouring out so many blessings at once,” says Womack. “We can’t help but believe that these breakthroughs will help us preserve what’s left of our beloved community. It’s like being rewarded for decades of hard work that so many of people put into bringing Africatown back to wholeness and prosperity. If all our individual plans succeed collectively, then Africatown might be even better than it was when I grew up here.”

Image 1- The Mississippi State University School of Landscape Architecture undergraduate design students gather at the bridge landing.

Image 2- A proposed park underneath the Cochrane Africatown USA Bridge features a dock, lawn space, pavilion, gardens, and walking trails. Dock graphic by Sara Peppers.

Image 3 – A redesign of the grounds of the Plateau Community Center would provide open space for events athletic fields an amphitheater and concessions Graphic by Mackenzie Nelson.

Image 4- Small structures to serve as vendor spaces for farmers markets or festivals are featured in the proposed bridge park design. Graphic by Luke Hanna.

Image 5 -The wetland trail at the Place of Baptisms includes replicas of African totems to remind visitors to the community of connections to its past. Graphic by Simon Powney.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong/Image Credits Given Above

The Interpretive Center at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores is now open, along with a second pedestrian bridge. The two bridges are at either end of the park’s two-mile beachfront. The center’s interactive exhibits about the natural history of coastal Alabama and its ecology will be completed this summer.

The new center and bridge are part of the Gulf State Park Enhancement Project, which provides ecologically sensitive enhancement to the 6,150-acre park – a stretch of coastline that runs from Gulf Shores to Orange Beach operated by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Partner in Charge Jay Pigford of ArchitectureWorks, the Birmingham firm that designed the Interpretive Center, says the center serves as a launching point for visitors to the park, and as such is designed as a way-point along a 28-mile trail system and not a final destination.

“We designed the project as two wood structures connected by expansive, terraced decks that rest lightly on the land with deep overhangs, encouraging visitors to experience the interactive exhibits through the buildings,” Pigford explains.

“A wood-screened exhibit porch offers long views of the dune restoration project ongoing along the two miles of park beach-frontage. Orientation of the building and its simplicity of roof form are integral pieces toward its net-zero impact through solar and water collection, aiming to achieve Living Building certification – one of 16 structures in the world.”

Living Building Challenge certification has been the most challenging part of the project as it restricts certain material use based on composition and manufacturing processes, Pigford adds.

“LEED has brought the construction industry a long way, but Living Building design considers the ingredients of the building as well as how it performs after it is built,” he continues. “It is not only an educational tool for the park but also for building resiliently along the Gulf Coast. The building is sited to encourage dune regeneration as well as encourage visitors to explore the entire 6,000 acres of the park across a pedestrian bridge designed as part of the project.”

Matt Leavell, a member of the Gulf State Project Development Team at the University of Alabama, calls the Living Building certification “the most rigorous environmental certification in the world right now.”

When the Interpretive Center becomes a Living Building, Leavell says, it will be the first in the Southeast region of the United States.

 

Image 1: The Gulf State Park Interpretive Center is a launching point for visitors to the park and was designed as a way-point along a 28-mile trail system. A wood-screened exhibit porch offers long views of the dune restoration project along the two miles of Park beach-frontage.

Image 2: The second pedestrian bridge is now open. Two pedestrian bridges are at either end of the park’s two-mile beachfront.

Image 3: The new center is not only an educational tool for the park, but also for building resiliently along the Gulf Coast. The building is sited to encourage dune regeneration as well as encourage visitors to explore the entire 6,000 acres of the park across a pedestrian bridge designed as part of the project.

Image 4: Orientation of the building and its simplicity of roof form are a significant part of its net-zero impact through solar and water collection, with the goal of achieving Living Building certification, of which only 16 structures in the world have received.

 

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Art Husbant