Henrico County Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability

As both a high-performance learning environment and living teaching tool, the building operates as an integrated ecological system: solar panels generate over 105% of the energy the building consumes annually, while on-site captured rainwater (purified for drinking, cooking, and restrooms) reduces building water use by 90%. Construction uses repurposed materials and generates minimal landfill waste. Surrounded by wetlands, forests, a lake, a creek, a pollinator garden, and native landscaping, students learn not just in nature, but with nature—engaging in activities from water quality testing and renewable energy monitoring to hiking, photography, and canoeing.

More than a functional facility, this is a living classroom—where the architecture itself teaches. Materials matter: interior walls are clad in salvaged wood gym flooring, rich with patina and memory, giving the space warmth, texture, and story. Designed for durability and rooted in place, the building demonstrates careful stewardship of land, water, energy, and materials. It relies entirely on water and energy captured on-site, with construction practices that minimize waste and leave a regenerative footprint.

Targeting Living Building Challenge certification, every inch of this project reinforces sustainability not as a concept, but as a lived, daily experience—for learners of all ages.

The design team worked closely with biologists and ecologists to understand the land’s ecological rhythms and site health, selecting a location that minimized disruption to sensitive habitats. Nestled carefully into the existing canopy and topography, the building honors the landscape’s natural systems—protecting, preserving, and learning from them.