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 is committed to excellence in research, university instruction, conservation, plant collections and public programs. The Visitor’s Education Center provides a gateway into the Botanical Garden, helping visitor’s 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 UNC 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 Visitor’s Education Center is slated for LEED-Platinum certification.