Prairie Ecology Center Master Plan

A V i s i o n f o r t h e f u t u r e • f e b r u A r y 2 0 1 1

the Prairie ecology centerThe Kubala WashaTKo archiTecTs, inc. W61 n617 Mequon avenue, cedarburg, Wi 53012

Draft 2.18.11

The Kubala WashaTKo archiTecTs, inc.

Prairie ecology cenTer

1

Contents“...to be a vehicle for understanding and appreciating the natural wonders in our own backyards.”- Prairie ecology cenTer Mission

2 Introduction

3 ThePrairieEcologyCenterStory

4 BuildingfortheFuture

5 TheMasterPlanningProcess

Process overview

strategic and business Planning

interpretive Planning

site & facility Planning

10 PatternWriting

13 ConceptualBuildingDiagrams+Images

site Plan

floor Plan

building section

exterior Views

interior Views

24 ContactInformation



2

IntroductionThe Case for Environmental Education in our Region Despite living in a region focused on rural agriculture, many young people in

southwestern Minnesota are increasingly disconnected from the natural world, have

little tangible connection to the land, and lack even basic knowledge of local ecosys-

tems and their importance.

Currently, this region of the state has no true nature center to call its own, other than

the Prairie ecology Center. there are many nature centers throughout Minnesota, but

they are concentrated within or near to the Minneapolis/st. Paul metro area, and in

southeastern or northeastern Minnesota. for individuals in this part of the state who

are interested in learning about our natural environment and natural heritage, options

are extremely limited. Currently, there are no other nature center facilities in south-

west Minnesota within a 125 mile radius that are open year-round for people to visit

and learn about the natural world through exhibits and educational opportunities.

not surprisingly, rural southwest Minnesota is greatly underserved in providing nature

education. there is a common, pervasive misconception that by virtue of living in a

rural area, residents know about the natural landscapes and how nature “works’. the

reality is quite to the contrary. the young people in our region are just as “plugged

in” to electronic gadgets as the metropolitan urban and suburban youth. We are now

seeing a generation of youth who have no tangible connection to the land and to the

agriculture that is the mainstay of our cultural, economic, and spiritual heritage. We

often find that the parents of today’s youth are also unaware and lack basic knowledge

of local ecosystems and their importance to their own and their family’s well-being.

now, more than ever, this region needs a place for community members of all ages to

develop an understanding and appreciation for our natural world.



�

The Prairie Ecology Center program is the only one of its kind in North America. Prairie Ecology programs have logged over 175,000 miles to more than 20 counties in the region since 1994.

The Prairie Ecology Center StoryHome of the Prairie Ecology Bus

the Prairie ecology Center (PeC)

provides environmental edu-

cation outreach through-

out rural, southwestern

Minnesota and northern

iowa. it is home to the

Prairie ecology bus, a state-

of-the-art mobile scientific

laboratory and classroom

designed to educate school

children and adults about

the environmental and natu-

ral sciences.

seating up to 32, the ecology bus

takes students to outdoor learning sites in

their own communities, providing all the tools they

need to conduct scientific investigations of local ecosystems. the ecology bus runs on alternative soy diesel fuel and is handicapped-accessible to accommodate special needs learners.

the Prairie ecology Center has achieved significant suc-cess since its inception. today, it stands poised for significant growth in the near future. to support this growth the Center has embarked on a comprehensive planning effort aimed at increasing its organizational capacity. the Prairie ecology Center’s goals are to expand current outreach programming and to expand on-site programs, while becoming a

more visible and valued asset to the region.



�

Building for the Future

A Donated Farmhouse The Prairie Ecology Center currently operates out of a 950 square foot donated

farmhouse. Along with a lack of functional space, the structure faces significant deterioration issues.

Sparks Park Entrance Sparks Park is a 40-acre historic pioneer site located at the northern edge of Lakefield

along Highway 86,Classroom/Conference Area A converted living room provides the only available classroom and

conference space within the existing Prairie Ecology Center facility.

Administrative Office The Prairie Ecology Center requires expanded staff and intern office space to sup-

port existing outreach programs and to provide expanded on-site programming.

A Need for Improved Facility Support

home base for the ecology bus Center is sparks Park, a 40-acre historic pioneer site

in the southwestern Minnesota town of Lakefield. A small donated 1940’s farmhouse

serves as the administrative headquarters for PeC, which includes office space for

three full-time staff, classroom space for small groups, natural science displays, and

storage.

the Prairie ecology Center has been asked numerous times to provide regular, on-site

nature-focused classes on the sciences and the arts for area families, teacher training

workshops, adult seminar series on nature/environment topics, and expanded public

programs for the community and region. Currently, a lack of adequate program and

staff space at the sparks Park farmhouse is a key issue limiting both current outreach

and expanded regional and local site-based programming. Without adequate facili-

ties, and subsequent volunteer support and staffing, the Prairie ecology Center has

largely been unable to provide the requested services.

Creating a New ‘Home Base’

the centerpiece of the master plan includes creation of a new, permanent environmen-

tal education center within historic sparks Park. this modest new facility will provide

much-needed administrative, classroom, and storage capacity to support existing

ecology bus outreach programs. further, the building will create opportunities for

innovative local programming, offer interpretive exhibits and natural science collec-

tions, serve as a trailhead for newly developed interpretive trails within the park, and

provide an attractive new venue for regional and local community events.

by constructing a center where visitors can participate in interactive exhibits, partici-

pate in onsite programs and events, become involved in regular volunteer activities,

and become attuned to the trails and amenities provided within the park for indepen-

dent discovery and use, and by association, become more aware of the ecology bus

and its programming throughout the region, the Prairie ecology Center will be posi-

tioned for growth and sustainability as a regional environmental education center.

Becoming a Model of Environmental Stewardship

Above all, the Prairie ecology Center seeks to expand its role as a model of environ-

mental stewardship. the Center will continue to provide environmental education and

outreach throughout the region. the Center will demonstrate long-term restoration

strategies for the prairie, wetland, and woodland areas within sparks Parks. the newly

built Prairie ecology Center headquarters will incorporate sustainable design strate-

gies that offer a model for energy efficient and resource-wise construction appropriate

for our Midwestern climate.



�

Planning Objectives

Ten-year guide for policy, operations, maintenance, and capital improvements

Tool to aid in fundraising and public support

Guide for marketing, program development, staffing, and vol-unteer involvement

Reference/resource for current and future board members and staff

Create an integrated comprehensive plan

•

•

•

•

•

Process Overviewthe Prairie ecology Center has undertaken a master planning effort aimed at improv-

ing the organization’s capacity to provide educational programs within the region.

funded through a two-year institute of Museum and Library services (iMLs) grant,

the comprehensive master plan developed by the Prairie ecology Center sets out a

clear vision for the future. the goals established by the plan are focused on helping

the center incrementally build organizational capacity, increase volunteer support,

expand community outreach through increased usage of sparks Park, and to provide

much needed infrastructure improvements.

the Master Planning Process

Master Planning Process Diagram Unlike typical master planning, where individual components are

developed in isolation, the Prairie Ecology Center conducted an integrated process that allowed strategic, business, interpre-

tive, and site & facility planning efforts to inform and support each other.



�

Strategic Planning

A multi-day strategic Visioning

Workshop was organized by

Corky McReynolds, a nation-

ally-recognized expert on

planning for environmental

centers, with participation

by members of the Prairie

ecology Center’s board of

Directors and regional civic

leaders.

the workshop examined the

Center’s core mission, principles,

and values. A wide ranging list of ideas

and possibilities were debated and win-

nowed into clearly defined Vision Statements

that will be used to guide to organization over the next 7-10

years.

A Vision Statement is the outcome of a time-framed

process to establish overarching goals for an organiza-

tion. it creates a desired, yet practical, statement of the

organization’s future. this vision of success is founded upon

the organization’s mission and is reached through deliberation

and consensus. Vision statements typically are broad and serve to

provide a basis for developing specific strategies to achieve the vision.

BuSineSS Planning

recognizing the unique funding challenges within the mostly rural, farming region of

southwestern Minnesota, the master plan process devoted on establishing a realistic

business plan for the future. An operational pro-forma budget was established that

identifies potential sources of revenue. the primary goal is to establish a plan for

long-term economic sustainability.

Strategic and Business Planning

Vision of Success

By the year 2017 . . .

The Prairie Ecology Center has an environmentally sensitive interpretive facility, designed to support current and future educational, staffing, and visitor needs.

The Prairie Ecology Center has expanded to reach more schools, organizations, and people with inno-vative bus and on-site programs.

The Prairie Ecology Center is a model of sustainable environmental stewardship scaled to local commu-nity needs with grassroots involvement.

The Prairie Ecology Center has developed a commit-ted area-wide following and support structure.

The Prairie Ecology Center has stable and sustainable funding sources.

The Prairie Ecology Center has implemented a well-focused staffing plan supported by a strong volunteer contingent.

•

•

•

•

•

•




�

Interpretive Planning

interPretive Planning ProceSS

An interpretive plan helps shape the educational messages an organization wishes to

communicate. A well-crafted interpretive planning process considers the place-spe-

cific historical, cultural, and natural resources to be interpreted as well as the demo-

graphics of the people who may use the site in order to develop relevant messages

and media in support of an organization’s mission.

Led by The 106 Group, a st. Paul-based firm specializing in interpretive planning, an

on-site interpretive planning workshop was conducted with Prairie ecology Center

staff, board members, and community civic leaders. A conceptual interpretive frame-

work was developed to provide input on audience analysis, key messages, and site

development and their relationship to the key interpretive messages.

DemograPhic analySiSAs part of the interpretive planning process the 106 Group completed a demographic

analysis of current Prairie ecology Center programs and audiences. Additional analysis

of regional population demographics revealed opportunities for expanded outreach

and program participation.

the Prairie ecology Center conducts environmental education programs in an approxi-

mately 30-county region in rural southwestern and central Minnesota, and in north-

western iowa. A significant percentage of these efforts are now concentrated among

K-6 grade public, private, parochial, and home school programs using the mobile

ecology bus classroom/laboratory. other PeC programs are conducted at partner sites

such as Kilen Woods state Park or at schools, community centers, and county fairs.

A limited number of educational programs for schools, community groups, and the

general public are currently accommodated on-site at sparks Park.

The completed interpretive plan developed for the Prairie Ecology Center identified the following key strategies:

Clarify interpretive messages throughout Sparks Park and in all existing and new programs

Improve visitor orientation and wayfinding in Sparks Park.

Restore the landscape of Sparks Park through community stewardship and service learning

Develop exterior interpretive programming spaces and exhibits.

Develop flexible interior programming spaces and exhibits.

•

•

•

•

•

Clarifying and expanding interpretive messages displayed throughout Sparks Park is

one key interpretive plan goal.




8

Interpretive Planning

PrairieEcologyCenterInterpretiveThemes

the interpretive plan developed one primary theme and four subthemes that are

linked to specific areas of the Prairie ecology Center and sparks Park. these themes

are designed to help the Center expand its role as a model for balancing the needs of

both human and natural communities to create a sustainable future.

WeAllLiveDownstream: the Prairie ecology Center’s stream flows from here to

heron Lake to the Des Moines river to the Mississippi river. Where does water from

your backyard go and how do you know if it is healthy water?

APrairieHome:Prairie once covered 18 million acres of Minnesota and was part of the

largest ecosystem in north America; today prairies are an endangered ecosystem.

TheFragileFringe:Wetlands provide an important home to many plants and ani-

mals, and they prevent flooding and filter pollution.

TheWildWoods: from the smallest plants to the biggest animals, forests are a web

of connections.

“Discovering nature is healthy and fun: The Prairie Ecology Center is a place to discover nature.”

We All Live Downstream The riverine zone within Sparks Park offers the opportunity to explain water-

sheds and water quality, and to interpret the links between wetlands, streams, ponds, and lakes.

A Prairie Home As an ongoing restoration process this area of the site can serve as a living laboratory for visitors

and communities interested in restoring former agricultural lands into prairie ecosystems.

The Fragile Fringe Significantly degraded wetlands are common in agricultural areas; thus the need for

examples of wetland restoration is high.

The Wild Woods The woodland area offers an opportunity to interpret the relationships within the forest com-

munity and how invasive species change an ecosystem.




�

Site and Facility PlanningSite/FacilityPlanning

As part of the master plan, the Prairie ecology Center established a goal of creating

a modest, yet functional and highly sustainable new facility to support current out-

reach programs, and to provide improved on-site access and programming for the

community and region.

the site and facility plan was developed by The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc. (tKWA), of Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Lakefield high school graduate, Wayne reckard,

was part of the tKWA project team for the Prairie ecology Center.

ObservingtheSiteinAllSeasons

Creating a truly sustainable facility requires a deep understanding of the natural forces

- sun, wind, water - acting on a site. the tKWA design team made multiple visits to

sparks Park to observe the site throughout the seasons. the knowledge gained from

these efforts helped the design team complete a thorough diagnosis of strengths

and weaknesses of the site. the resulting site design reflects a sensitivity to ecological

considerations and to major new pedestrian and vehicle circulation patterns that will

occur. An emphasis was also placed on the creation of ‘outdoor rooms’ that support

programs through the strategic arrangement of buildings and site features.

KeySustainableGoals

our approach to sustainability reflects both environmental and economic goals. As

long-term owners the Prairie ecology Center design places a priority on simple, com-

mon sense strategies - such as orienting the building to the sun and wind - instead

of more intense and expensive building techniques and strategies. in addition to

a healthy environment for flora, fauna, visitors and staff, there are educational and

long-term cost saving opportunities.

Key sustainable features of the proposed building design include the following:

strawbale construction, which uses a locally available, highly insulative, low-cost

and long-lasting building material.

roof mounted photovoltaic array to generate electricity from the sun.

Abundant natural daylight and ventilation to reduce energy costs and improve

occupant comfort.

A geothermal system, which uses the earth to help heat and cool the building.

improved water conservation and stormwater management.

•

•

•

•

•

New Vehicle Entrance A new vehicle entrance and circulation path will feature low-cost, water permeable

gravel surfacing. Grass overflow parking areas will be created among existing tree areas.

Children’s Garden The existing Children’s Garden provides ongoing educational opportunities. The new site and

facility will feature expanded garden areas and a greenhouse connected to the kitchen within the Center.

Trail System Development An improved and expanded outdoor trail system will be developed, with

the new building serving as a trailhead and visitor welcome center.

Highway View of Prairie Restoration Ongoing native prairie restoration will occur along the

north-south Highway 86 corridor, providing a highly visible example of the Center’s sustainability efforts.



Prairie ecology bus cenTer

10

Pattern Writing

1. it takeS a lot of PancakeS

issue: raising funds to support good ideas is a significant and ongoing chal-

lenge in the region. Pancake breakfast fundraisers alone will not gener-

ate the kind of funds necessary to construct a large new Center. thus,

economic sustainability is a high priority for the Center in all its future

endeavors. should major funding fail to materialize, a Master Plan design

based on a single source would quickly become obsolete.

solution: Design a modest, phased approach to the implementation of the Master

Plan. incrementally unfold the physical facility together with the interpre-

tive program for the site and the growth of available funds. When larger

sums are received, the speed of implementation can be increased.

2. on firm grounD

issue: the PebC’s uncertain future relationship with County and City owned

land makes planning for a new building and other site improvements

and restoration efforts quite difficult.

solution: before the effort to construct a new Center takes place, the issue of the

usability of County and City land must be resolved.

3. regional moDel of ecological reStoration

issue: Although sparks Park currently offers modest opportunities for backyard

environmental education, the property has few distinctive natural fea-

tures or high quality ecosystems. the land has been significantly degraded

through intense use and the demands of agricultural practices.

solution: Make an incremental restoration of the land one of the central purposes

of the property for the next 10-15 years. the Center, in it’s first manifes-

tation, can become the educational base for an ecosystem recovery in

which children and adults from the community can participate. over

time, sparks Park can become a regional model of sustainable environ-

mental stewardship and ecological restoration.

4. gathering on the Prairie

issue: the local community lacks a special place to host meetings, receptions

or gatherings in a uniquely natural setting.

even in its embryonic form, the new Center must provide a particularly

memorable place for community groups to meet. this meeting facility

could take many forms, from a full blown classroom/office/meeting room

configuration all the way to a more rudimentary three-season structure

with basic restroom facilities. however as the dollars make themselves

available, the capacity to host community gatherings should be made

possible.

5. a DiStinct Place on 86

issue: the current highway entrance to the Center is not easy to see. one has

difficulty visually separating the Center’s entrance from the entrances of

adjacent homes along the highway.

solution: the Center’s entrance must be distinctly natural in it’s quality as a place.

this can be achieved using a variety of contrast creating tactics. for

southbound traffic, open up a vision triangle by brushing up the trees

near the road making the entrance more visually accessible. establish a

‘green screen’ between the Center’s drive and the neighboring residence.

this hedge or vine covered fence can act as a strong foil or backdrop to

a distinctive icon and/or sign signifying the entrance. Lighting the sign

(using a small solar collector) for a few hours each evening will reinforce

the presence of the Center in the minds of community members and

passing motorists.

6. center to BuS SymBioSiS

issue: it would be interesting for the Center to have some kind of constructive

relationship with the bus. however, the job of the bus is to be out and

about as much as possible. Does it then make sense to locate and design

the Center to have a bus relationship if the bus is not present most of the

time?



10

solution: Provide a semi-sheltered bus Dock near the Center that could be used

as a bus restocking platform as well as a passenger boarding location.

Minimize the amount of paving required to accommodate arrival and

departure. Parking the bus in it’s garage could take place at a distance.

7. WinDoW to the Sun

issue: A building in the woods sees little of the sun and is thereby deprived of its

bounty. “if the sun were not in love, it would have no brilliance.” rumiif

outdoor rooms, terraces and decks don’t have good exposure to the sun,

their season of use will be shortened.

solution: in locating structures and outdoor spaces that utilize available solar

energy, it is important to insure a relatively shadow free southern expo-

sure. indiscriminate clearing of a site is not a viable option. Giving out-

doors spaces good access to the sun will extend their season of use into

the fall and spring.

8. SuStainaBility aS normal

issue: rural southwest Minnesota currently offers few examples of approaches

to sustainable living. several of the most significant issues include energy

and water use, and in providing greater awareness of the impact of car-

bon emissions on climate change.

solution: eventually, one hundred percent of the building’s energy needs are to

be supplied by on-site renewable energy on a net annual basis. When

making decisions regarding the cost of building systems, always balance

first costs with life cycle costs. Consider the use of solar, wind, geothermal

and biogas energy sources.

one hundred percent of occupants’ water use will eventually come from

captured precipitation or reused water that is appropriately purified with-

out the use of chemicals. All rain that falls on the property must stay on

the property, where most of it is to be returned to the aquifer in a natu-

ralized way. Local subsurface movement of water must be understood

A key element of our design approach is a process we call Pattern Writing. the goal of writing patterns is to gain a deeper understanding of how a building and its environment can be configured to support both human activity and natural processes in a harmonious way.

Writing patterns helps the design team identify the deeper social, spiritual, and emotional values inherent in a place.

this process offers solutions for making a place more alive, more functional, and more inviting to both staff and visitors.

During early planning stages of the Prairie ecology Center,

the Kubala Washatko Architects, inc. worked closely with

staff to develop a uniquely crafted Pattern Language to

guide future design and construction of site and facility

improvements.

these efforts were focused on understanding the Prairie

ecology bus Center’ss history and culture, learning how it

operates, and identifying ways the building and site can bet-

ter support the mission of the organization.



11

before proposing any structure that might disrupt that flow. Minimize use

of hard paving surfaces and where used, make it permeable. rainwater

that comes off the roof should be slowed down, collected and/or reintro-

duced to the local water table. in the process, water can become a visual

and acoustic part of daily life and consciousness at the Center.Provide

for the eventual carbon neutral operation of the Center throughout its

life as a structure.

A significant outcome of this pattern would be the reduction in fossil fuels

used to prepare, construct, operate and occupy the new Center, thereby

greatly reducing its carbon footprint. the budget may force us to pick

simple and low-tech solutions. Do not lose sight of the long term goals

when considering first costs.

9. the PuSh/Pull of exiSting BuilDingS

issue: savings buildings for ongoing use represents an effort in being thrifty

and financially prudent.from a sustainability point of view, the demoli-

tion of existing buildings represents the loss of significant amounts of

embodied energy, not only in the production of materials, but in the

effort to originally construct them.

some of these structures are also our connection to a previous time, a

cultural bridge to the european immigrant use of the land.on the other

hand, unless the existing buildings are properly repaired/restored and

actively occupied as part of the Center’s operations, they will continue

to fall into disrepair, incur ongoing maintenance costs, present poten-

tial liability concerns, and give the site an unappealing and dilapidated

appearance.

solution: for the forseeable future, the existing bus barn and the sparks house

should be maintained and used. the timber frame barn should be dis-

mantled and the materials recycled or reused for the new facility where

possible. Leaving a remnant of the original barn, such as the stone foun-

dation, can provide a historical marker of past usefulness and support

the interpretive goals of the organization. the remaining buildings

onsite, including the rodeo barn and metal storage shed, must be care-

fully evaluated for their future utility. only as a last resort and instead of

demolition, dismantle existing buildings, recycling or reusing as many of

their building components and materials as possible.

10. enter a Welcoming natural realm

issue: After making the turn onto the Center’s entrance drive, one is confronted

with a cluttered and visually confusing environment at odds with the

intended natural setting of the Center.

solution: Make every effort to naturalize the experience extending from highway

entrance to a place to park the car. this may include moving the entrance

drive to allow for a greater massing of landscape between the drive and

the neighbor’s yard.

11. Parking PocketS

issue: there is nothing more unattractive and destructive to site character then

a large sea of parking.

solution: Minimize, separate, and distribute parking pockets along the site in a

way that masks the required quantity of the parking. Vegetation may

be used to screen and shade parking where needed. Control drainage

of the parking to channel it away from areas that can become polluted

by its contaminants. rather channel it to a resource that can purify the

water naturally and return it to the site in a useable form. Avoid giving

the sacred areas of the site, its gardens, its buildings, its outdoor rooms,

a prime view of the parking lot.

12. Parking to BuilDing tranSition

issue: if visitors could park right next to the front door of the Center, they prob-

ably would. if time and space are not available to the arriving visitor to

deal with a driving state of mind, they will drag their ‘road mask’ right

into the Center.

solution: once a visitor parks their automobile, it is very helpful to move through a

series of transitions in order to prepare to see the Center and it’s environs

with a receptive, open mind. Prepare a series of modest outdoor rooms

between the parking area and the front door. induce the visitor to change

direction, experience changes in texture, lighting, color, etc. bringing

attention to interpretive-rich events along the way.

13. neighBorly imPoSitionS

issue: sparks Park has always been associated, to some degree, with the look

and feel of the neighborhood on its southern boundary. on the other

hand, increased use of the Center will impose a new level of noise and

activity on the residential neighbors.

solution: to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the Center and its

neighbors, establish a generous boundary zone that increases visual and

acoustical separation. Maintain the neighbor’s access to his garage but

make it less obvious to visitors to the Center.

14. PoSitive outDoor roomS

issue: “outdoor spaces which are merely left over between buildings will, in

general, not be used.” Christopher Alexander

solution: Always consider the placement and general shaping of buildings and

outdoor spaces simultaneously. Always provide outdoor spaces the edges

necessary to give them room-like characteristics. Give them high quality

solar exposure to reinforce their regular use.

15. trail heaD

issue: if a nature trail doesn’t have a recognizable starting point, it’s difficult for

a group and leader to gracefully and effectively begin an organized trail

hike. it is also difficult for unaccompanied hikers to see where trails are.

solution: the embarkment points for trails should be easily recognized, but not

marked in such a way as to give them an amusement park feeling. the

trail head should allow enough room for a leader to gather a group of

hikers in a circle and prepare them for the experience ahead. At the same

time there should be room for unaccompanied hikers to easily move past

the circle and on to the trail.

A trailhead can be augmented with a place to sit and an informational

marker that prepares the hiker for what is ahead. All signage and interpre-

tive elements should be consistent in character. the trail heads must be

visible from the public indoor parts of the Center, allowing immediate

access on foot or wheelchair. Where possible, make a grouping or family

of trailheads, giving the visitor a clear choice of hike direction and type.

A trail system map should be located in this same space.

16. BuilDing aS a Door to nature

issue: it would be contrary to the mission of the PebC if the final result of the

everyday visitors experience were a building or a bus.

solution: the new Center should be thought of as a gateway to nature and not the

destination itself. the end result should inspire visitors to go outside and

explore. the majority of social spaces should have strong connections

to the outdoors via doors, views, daylight, breezes, and sounds. blur the

line between inside and outside through the use of similar materials and

colors. Where possible provide sheltered edges (porches, roof overhangs,

etc.) as a transition between the Center and Positive outdoor rooms.

17. BuilD a SimPle StaBle Shell

issue: Many of today’s buildings are designed to be well-insulated, lightweight,

thin-skinned shells augmented with the latest technology in heating,

cooling, air control, and communications. buildings of this type have

tended to be high users of energy (especially for cooling), technology

dependent (requires highly trained person to operate, equipment quickly

becomes obsolete), and because their shells are lightweight, their life

expectancies are relatively short.

solution: the focus should be on building a stable, well-insulated, massive, and

self-shading shell. these low-tech, high-yield design strategies will



12

decrease the building’s reliance on both energy and technology, allow-

ing the Center to serve it’s purpose over a longer than typical span of

time. the mass of the building plays a strong role in creating a useful

‘energy flywheel’ helping the Center stay cool in the summer and warm

in the winter.

During summer, natural ventilation can be used to cool the building’s

mass at night, allowing it to absorb heat during the day, minimizing the

need for air conditioning. During winter, desired heat gain is stored in

the building’s mass, storing the energy for use at night, and keeping the

Center from overheating during good solar harvesting days in spring

and fall.

With permanent selective shading of the building, the proper kinds of

solar energy can be allowed in for either daylighting or passive heating

purposes, or both. With much of the energy work being done by the shell,

high technology is minimized and simpler systems can be used. Make

sure the area of glazing does not exceed 20-25% of total floor area.

18. a room With many SettingS

issue: the types of meetings that could take place at the PebC are many and

varied. it is unrealistic to build a meeting room for each type and size of

gathering anticipated. however, asking a room to accommodate many

different uses is a tall order, often resulting in a poorly designed space

that does not work well for anything.

solution: the larger multi-purpose space must provide an operable partition that

allows the room to be subdivided into smaller, more intimate spaces.

Access to daylight from multiple sides and direct access to the outdoors

will make the room more functional and inviting. storage within the room

must be tailored to anticipated uses. Multiple areas to accommodate

video projection and marker surfaces will increase functionality.

19. nature’S School

issue: opening a nature Preschool is a great idea for many reasons, but the time

for its creation may not be now.

solution: Create a multi-purpose space within the new Center that accommodates a

variety of immediate needs while offering the flexibility to support nature

pre-school activities should the opportunity present itself in the future.

organize outdoor spaces to support an expanded Children’s Garden and

other outdoor play areas.

20. only one there

issue: During the week, there will be many times where only one or two staff

people are actually in the building. if staff offices are not positioned well

the following problems may arise:1. Visitors can become confused if the

offices aren’t easily identifiable or easily assisted.2. the administrator

can’t keep an eye on all of the building.3. security of the front door and

the offices can be hard to manage.4. it is environmentally irresponsible

and economically inefficient to condition all spaces of the building for

one person.

solution: Put the full-time staff office(s) in a prominent position near the front door.

Give them visual access to as much of the rest of the building as possible.

simplify the security of all offices down to the locking of one door. Zone

the offices separately so to minimize the conditioning of unused por-

tions of the building. Also, create the office area such that future office

expansion doesn’t unduly disrupt existing offices or the oversight of the

front door.

21. Better Storage, Better Work

issue: Current organization of storage and work spaces at the center make

it inefficient for staff to prepare and transport educational materials.

inadequate storage also makes it difficult for staff to effectively do their

jobs.

solution: organize an expanded number of storage spaces in such a way that they

provide easy access to both interior work preparation areas and to bus

or car loading.

22. kitchen in the miDDle

issue: offices without kitchens seem strangely foreign. offices with kitchens

separate from the workplace feel equally disconnected from everyday

life. for the PebC, the kitchen area must not only serve as a place of food

preparation and informal social gathering, it is a place where frequent

“messes” are created as a part of environmental education program-

ming.

solution: Allow the kitchen to be an active part of work life, as it would be in a

household. Place the kitchen in an alcove off the larger work area; pro-

vide enough space for a small table, chairs, full-size refrigerator, 4-burner

range, oven, and microwave. Make sure the coffee pot is in this space.

Allow sufficient counter space and large enough sinks to support easy

project preparation and cleanup. the Kitchen Alcove can also double as

a small meeting space.



1�

Site Plan



1�

floor Plan



1�

BuilDing Section



1�

aerial vieW



1�

BuS Dock



18

vieW from eaSt



1�

garDen / gathering area



20

Porch area



21

exhiBit SPace



22

aDminiStrative area



2�

Director’S office



2�

Contact Us

How Can You Help?

there are many ways you can support this

vision of the future for the Prairie ecology

Center. become a volunteer. invite PeC to your

school or organization. you can also make a

financial or in-kind donation to the Center. for

more information, feel free to contact us.

PrairieEcologyBusCenter

935 north highway 86, P.o. box 429, Lakefield, Mn 56150

phone: 507.662.5064 | website: www.ecologybus.org

TheKubalaWashatkoArchitects,Inc.

W61 n617 Mequon Avenue, Cedarburg, Wi 53012

phone: 262.377.6039 | website: www.tkwa.com

CorkyMcReynolds

treehaven environmental Learning Center

W 2540 Pickerel Creek road, tomahawk, Wi 54487

phone: 715.453.4106 | website: www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven

The106Group

370 selby Avenue, st. Paul, Minnesota 55102

phone: 651.290.0977 | website: www.106group.com

Prairie Ecology Center Master Plan

Documents

prairie ecology programs

natural world

natural heritage

nature center facilities

true nature center

natural environment

natural landscapes

natural wonders