Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation

This sustainable, economical and architecturally outstanding visitor centre houses researchers, administrative staff and volunteers.

For both client and the design team it was important that the building be energy efficient and environmentally responsible. The result is a building with very low operating costs, superior comfort for occupants and reduced impact on the local environment. It has been designed to operate largely off-grid; due to its remote location, it is not attached to any gas lines and has no water or sewer access.

The roof was designed to evoke a bird in flight, but its inverted shape serves another purpose - rainwater is collected in a cistern in the basement for treatment. For every 2.5 cm of rain, more than 14,000 litres of water are collected.

www.borealbirdcentre.ca