ALW Park Office and
Nature Education Center

City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources 2014 Recreation Raleigh, NC 12,000 square feet Back to Projects

This 155-acre tract of land, donated by esteemed Raleigh obstetrician Dr. Annie Louise Wilkerson to the City of Raleigh, includes two existing houses, barns, and other accessory storage structures that were transformed into a nature preserve and educational facility.

Working as part of landscape architect CLH Design’s master plan for the site, we developed a vision to create an educational experience that respects and showcases the natural environment. The preserve includes a park office, park center, comfort station, and picnic shelter. Our design provides seating throughout the interior and exterior that can become informal classrooms for educational programs.

Dr. Wilkerson’s former residence was transformed during Phase II into the AWL Education Center, a visitor center featuring additional spaces for exhibits and classrooms. Materials that evoke and came from nature were used to reflect the surrounding environment.

Green Features:

Low-emitting, recycled, regional, and renewable materials. Used as much of the existing house as possible to reduce the need for new materials. Clerestory and large windows facing south. Bird deterrent exterior glazing .Pursuing LEED Silver certification.

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