Napa Valley State Parks Association had a simple premise for the proposed Environmental Education Center: to renovate the existing, 1945 recreational hall structure, which had been boarded up for years. In doing so they hope to provide an accessible, new space to accommodate year-round educational activities such as field trips, summer camps, and interactive exhibits centered around nature preservation and the history of the Park and its land. It was also an important consideration to have outdoor gathering spaces.

We created conceptual plans that modernize the space while strengthening the building’s connection to the outdoors, with the addition of larger doors and windows on three sides and a deck on the south side overlooking RItchey Creek. The design calls for a light touch on the land, and limits the expansion of the existing footprint, while establishing a dialogue between the center and the historic barn that lies just up the trail. The historic river rock fountain, a milestone for many hikers throughout the years, will be refurbished and continue to serve as a marker for the park’s many users and anchor the entrance to the building.