SHELBY
PARK NATURE CENTER, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Part of the Master Plan for Parks and Greenways, the project scope included the design of three buildings located in three different Metro Parks natural areas (Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Beaman Park and Bells Bend Park). A conceptual master plan for each center campus was also developed focusing on site features and growth. Each design centered around the unique site opportunities/ constraints of three very different parks and feature natural, contextual materials with an emphasis on exposed structural elements. The designs maximize sustainable design and building practices, materials and operation including a specific “green” focus for each of the centers. Design decisions were treated as teaching opportunities to showcase sustainable design practices so that the buildings would become education exhibits themselves. Located in the Cumberland River flood plain, the 3,175 sf Shelby Bottoms Nature Center perches on telephone poles nine feet above an existing wetland. Accessed by an expressive 210’ long accessible winding boardwalk, the trail up to the building offers outlooks to view the greenway, wetlands and river. The building’s main two masses are shaped like “river-barges” that are drifting beside each other. The space in between these masses forms the Lobby/Exhibit Hall. The vegetated Green Roof over the classroom serves as a hands-on learning tool about storm-water runoff, environmental technologies and energy savings. With the sustainable focus of “water”, the roof is designed to gather rainwater into artistic scuppers and rain chains that then funnel the rainwater into a natural “bio-swale” below. Designed to minimize site disturbance, the building’s small footprint focuses on the integration of porches, outdoor space and natural ventilation. |
