Living Building in the Trees

FOREST ENGAGEMENT

Set within the wooded hillsides of the Summit Bechtel Reserve, this educational and interpretive destination serves as a contemporary expression of environmental responsibility, exploring new ways architecture can coexist with the natural landscape. Its vertical form reduces impact on the terrain while drawing inspiration from the region’s industrial heritage and the ingenuity associated with Scouting culture.

AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY

The 125-foot-tall steel structure offers visitors expansive perspectives of the forest floor, surrounding canopy, and open sky. As guests move through a sequence of indoor and outdoor platforms, they encounter interactive exhibits and experiential learning opportunities focused on ecology, sustainability, and the built environment.

SYSTEMS MADE VISIBLE

Designed to achieve net-zero energy and net-zero water performance, the facility makes resource use tangible through visible and interactive systems, including solar arrays, wind energy generation, and rainwater harvesting and treatment. Throughout the experience, the project evokes a sense of exploration and discovery while encouraging visitors to consider their own role in environmental stewardship.