Architect: Creech & Associates

Location: Gastonia, NC

The Environmental Studies Center is a single-story 7,000 square foot addition to the Schiele Museum with a primary mission to educate the public on sustainable design strategies. The southern orientation allows large areas of controlled glazing that provide a window into the museum’s soul along the otherwise solid main façade. The accessible green roof with an events plaza and covered walkways is defined by large ribs that echo the large fossils inside the museum. The flexible event space below also has a demonstration kitchen for exhibits on healthy food preparation of local resources.