Projects
New Visitor Center
Opened May 2012
Seamlessly melding architecture and landscape, the new Visitor Center is a model of energy-efficient design, including earth-sheltered construction, a geoexchange system for heating and cooling, a living roof, and fritted-glass walls. Surrounding the building is a new garden filled with native plantings and water-capturing beds. Designed by the renowned architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi, the Visitor Center aspires to LEED Gold certification for environmental sustainability.
The Visitor Center’s engaging exhibits, amenities, and gracious event space welcome and orient visitors and underscore the Garden’s commitment to education, science, horticulture, community, and conservation.
View an excerpt from Plants & Gardens (pdf) BBG Members' Newsletter to learn more.
Living Roof
The 10,000-square-foot living roof, planted with a diversity of native species, both absorbs rainwater and provides the building with insulation.
Bright Light, Good Wood
Glass walls provide ample natural illumination, decreasing the need for artificial lighting, and the fritted-pattern glaze helps prevent bird collisions and reduces solar heat gain. The wood-paneled walls in the Lillian and Amy Goldman Atrium are made from ginkgo trees harvested from the site.
Eco-Energy
Twenty-eight 400-foot-deep geothermal wells drilled 400 feet deep enhance the building’s heating and cooling system.
Water Savings
Storm-water runoff is directed to collection basins in the plaza rain gardens, where it replenishes the groundwater supply. The living roof alone is expected to harvest almost 200,000 gallons of water each year.
Interpretation
State-of-the-art exhibits as well as orientation and educational tools help visitors of all ages and levels of horticultural expertise appreciate the rich diversity of the Garden.
Conscientious Design
BBG aspires to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for the new Visitor Center.
