Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Soldotna, USA
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Photo © Ken Graham
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Photo © Ken Graham
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Photo © Ken Graham
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Photo © Ken Graham
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Photo © Ken Graham
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Photo © Ken Graham
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Photo © Ken Graham
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
© Ken Graham
Architekci
Cushing Terrell
Location
Soldotna, USA
Year
2015
Cushing Terrell Services
Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering
Agency Served
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Sited partially-sunken into the landscape, this 8,000 sq. ft. visitor center welcomes both visitors and locals, and its design facilitates a transition from our technology-driven world into the natural environment of the refuge.

The new visitor center provides programming year-round and includes a multipurpose room, exhibit hall, bookstore, accessible restrooms, and lobby/seating areas, along with an outdoor exhibit within the surrounding forested habitat. Incorporating many environmentally-conscious features, the building has a sod roof, PV solar panels, in-floor radiant heating, LED lighting, a natural ventilation system, and a soapstone masonry heater. The $6.1 million project used a design/build delivery method and earned LEED Silver certification.

While the majority of the building is intended to be fairly subdued in its design and integrated into the landscape, the exhibit area, by contrast, floats defiantly above the contours and extends outward into the tree canopy, immersing users into the surrounding forested habitat.

Related Projects

  • Promenade Favorita, Lugano TI
    mavo gmbh
  • Garten Höhenweg St.Gallen
    mavo gmbh
  • Sagiareal, Greppen LU
    mavo gmbh
  • Progressiver Reinraumausbau
    Lindner Group
  • Büro Allmendstrasse
    BFB Architekten AG

Magazine

Other Projects by Cushing Terrell

Jackson Tech House
Jackson Hole, USA
Macmillan Learning
Austin, USA
Fat Deer Lodge
Darby, USA
Gallatin High School
Bozeman, USA
Rock Creek Cattle Company - Pool and Game Barn Complex
Deer Lodge , USA