River Legacy Science Center - Mindful Design in Practice

River Legacy Science Center was designed and constructed with sustainable principals in mind from its conception.  The goal of the center was to provide a learning facility focused on nature and the built environment, and how designing within the confines of a natural setting, minimizing site disturbance, resource degradation, and minimizing consumption is possible. 

The Living Science Center is part of the 1300 acre River Legacy Park located along the Trinity River in Arlington, Texas.  The Center features exhibits, aquariums, environmental educational programs and nature trails.  There is a detailed exhibit in the lobby which outlines a number of considerations for sustainable building practices, some of which are featured on the grounds in the Living Science Center, others of which serve as an education tool for patrons interested in reducing their carbon footprint though mindful design of the built environment in nature.  The topics include:

Natural Resources - A building can function within the existing ecosystem without placing additional stress on is resources or processes

Cultural Resources - The style, design element and resources of a building can use regional and culturally appropriate materials  

Site Planning - Adaptation to the environment, recycling, reuse and energy conservation can be supported by a sensitive site design

Architecture - Choice of building materials can first be gathered from rapidly renewable resources, secondly from recycled natural products and thirdly from synthetic materials.  Off-gassing carbon based products should be avoided. 

Energy and Utility - Renewable energy and building orientation should be considered first, water and energy conservation should be incorporated, and water treatment methods that are suitable to the ecosystem explored

Waste Disposal - Reuse materials onsite when possible, compost, recycle, and reduce the generation of waste  

Some of the sustainable feature at and around the River Legacy Science Center include:

Mulch covered nature trails to minimize the foot traffic impact on native soil

Trees relocated and parking lots laid out to minimize impact

Modular pavers installed to allow more air and water to reach the soil 

Path surfaces made from granite dust to allow more air and water to reach the soil

Native landscaping uses less water and fertilizer

Pond created from an existing depression and fosters natural habitat

Root watering crystals used throughout to retain water for plants

The Living Science Center also offers a number of educational classes for children, adults and families, including:

After-School Clubs

Nature School Classes

Texas Turtle Watch

Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

Water Festival (Water Awareness Through Education and Recreation) 

Nature Walk

Animal Exploration

River Legacy Science Center serves as a wonderful example and gentle reminder of  the importance of preserving and honoring nature and how the choices we make in the built environment impact ecosystems, natural resources and social well being.  The center represents the essence of sustainability with its peaceful backdrop of bottomland forest, the symphony of birds, the fluttering of busy butterflies and the laziness of the summer day with complete with sunbathing turtles.  You get the feeling you are the intruder as you walk along the nature trials and one is reminded of our responsibility to work within nature, not to impose, but to foster and compliment what nature already does, and naturally.    

River Legacy Park ; http://www.riverlegacy.org/
Google Map of the Park: http://bit.ly/nLBK51