DALLAS ARBORETUM ENTRY/EDUCATION CENTER

Location: Dallas, Texas

Partnership: BRW Architects,Studio Outside

Project Role: competition development team member

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The Dallas Arboretum at White Rock Lake, in its commitment to education and stewardship is redeveloping the existing North entry to better utilize existing space and the connection to a new parking garage.  The program called for an experiential entry sequence and educational and support spaces.  By embracing the underground parking garage, BRW and Studio Outside developed a concept of non-programed learning opportunities by inviting the visitor to walk through the different layers of a forest canopy; relating each programed element to a specific micro-climate or portion of a forest ecosystem.  My background in ecology gave BRW the opportunity to develop this concept in further depth.  The concept of forest canopy, understory, soil profile, and forest edge along the ‘meadow’ gave our team the structure to create many unique experiences and to capitalize on the site’s beautiful views in a tightly confined area.  

topics: Ecology, Education, Conceptual Design, Sustainability, Design Competition, Internal Team Building, Infrastructure