north carolina botanical garden

location: Chapel Hill , NC
est. completion date: Summer, 2009
project team:
Frank Harmon
Erin Sterling
Matthew Griffith

problem statement

The North Carolina Botanical Garden at UNC-Chapel Hill is committed to excellence in research, university instruction, conservation, plant collections and public programs. The Education Center provides a gateway into the Botanical Garden, helping visitors focus their attention by creating a sense of place and continuity of experience. The building’s green architecture exemplifies a positive union between natural and built environments and serves as a model of sustainable design for the university and the State of North Carolina.

our design response

Fundamental to our design concept was active participation by all stakeholders in the project: staff, visitors, faculty, Foundation and neighbors. We facilitated eight design workshops, drawing on the energy and knowledge of all constituents to create the building and landscape design. Our design creates a family of eco-friendly buildings, gently composed on a wooded hillside, drawing energy from the sun for heating, hot water and lighting. Embracing all the principles of sustainable design, the NC Botanical Garden Education Center is the State of North Carolina's first LEED-Platinum building.