Powdermill Nature Reserve

Exterior - before (inset) and after

Powdermill Nature Reserve, biological research station of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, is an education, avian research, and conference facility with the capacity to receive exhibits from other institutions. The 13,000-square-foot expansion provides classroom, seminar and exhibit capabilities. Key sustainable design features include a "marsh machine" septic system, geothermal heating, rainwater collection systems, haybale construction, recycled barnboard and stained homasote wall panels. The project includes a number of "Building as Exhibit" features, including an interactive exhibit called a "simulated stream" that will use the actual clean effluent from the marsh machine septic system. A LEED Silver certification is anticipated.

Client: Carnegie Museum of Natural History (2008)

2008 Certificate of Merit for Design Excellence
AIA Pittsburgh

2008 Green Design Citation
AIA Pittsburgh

Download PDF of AIA Awards Board