World Birding Center

Mission, TX

This eco-tourism headquarters is located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, one of the richest bird habitats in the world. The design responds to the harsh climate, and minimizes disturbance of the adjacent 1,700-acre native habitat preserve. Sustainable features acheived a 35% reduction in building program. Other strategies employed include the use of outdoor circulation, a narrow floor plate for effective cross ventilation and daylighting, steel arch panels as both structure and roofing, efficient building systems, water conservation and re-use, and restorative landscapes.
Photography: Paul Hester

It caters carefully to the type of occupant, a place for quiet observation, a nice, delicate intervention on its site… This project follows all the big moves: reduce, reuse, recycle.

Juror, AIA Committee on the Environment Top Ten Project Awards