Nature Research Center

2008 - Worked on as an employee of Fentress Architects

The Nature Research Center is an expansion of the Museum of Natural Sciences. The scope includes a restaurant, retail area, a connecting bridge to the existing museum from the NRC, a connecting bridge from the NRC to the DENR Office Building and an underground parking deck. The Green Square Complex is an impressive two-block, multi-use sustainable development project that brings North Carolina’s state environmental offices and a nationally significant Nature Research Center to the heart of North Carolina’s capital city.

The Green Square Complex enables the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to promote stewardship by example to the general public, while providing experiential learning opportunities focused on the current scientific research and environmental issues. Sustainable design features include high efficiency/ low emissivity glazing, light shelves, solar shades, LED lighting, solar PV and solar hot water, rainwater collection for toilet flushing and landscaping, green roof and efficient construction. The NRC is a LEED Platinum certified building.