Hays Nature Preserve Interpretive Center

Located near the entrance to the City’s largest undeveloped park land, the Interpretive Center serves to welcome visitors, young and old alike. The building contains an office, display, classroom and restrooms. Registered as a LEED project and designed to the Silver level, it has many sustainable features.  The site uses pervious concrete, rain gardens and native plant materials to handle storm water and eliminate the need for irrigation. The roof is vegetated with native succulents to prevent heat build-up and filter storm water. All main spaces are day lit and have exterior views, and the building materials were selected for regional sourcing, recycled content and indoor air quality. Efficiency and resiliency were paramount in the design and construction. The windows are massed principally on the south elevation with a generous roof overhang and light shelf/shade structure to control the solar gain and evenly distribute the light in the classroom. The site accommodates a westward building expansion and a future dock on the pond.