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Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve

Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyoming
Location
  • Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyoming
Photography
  • Nic Lehoux
  • Paul Warchol
  • Video: Sheets Studios

The Interpretive Center and its related trails represents a gift of an 1,100-acre inholding of land on the shores of Phelps Lake from Laurance S. Rockefeller to the U.S. National Park Service to benefit and educate the public. Because this project tells the story of environmental stewardship and conservation, the client wanted a “quiet” building designed to fit gently into the landscape and encourage a closer understanding of the ecology of place.

A rustic modern wooden building stands in a vibrant green meadow, with a dense forest and snow-capped mountain range in the background under a clear blue sky, illuminated by golden hour light.

The 7,000-square-foot building is self-guiding, with the goal of awakening the senses so that visitors may gain a heightened appreciation of the surrounding landscape. More like a chapel than a visitor center, the L-shaped, rectilinear order of the building curves to an apse-like form at its south end. Here, vertical wood slats reminiscent of old barns with gaps between boards, bring narrow slits of light into a contemplative space, suggesting the spiritual power of nature.

In both medium and message the building advances environmental responsibility, with sustainable materials and methods of paramount importance in design from the building itself to every piece of furniture, also designed by CLB. This building is the first to achieve LEED-Platinum status in the U.S. National Park Service and in the state.

Modern rustic wooden home exterior at dusk, with a wide covered porch, large windows, and a metal roof, framed by vibrant golden aspen trees and distant fall foliage.
Warm wooden interior of a modern visitor center, featuring a slatted ceiling with vertical light fixtures and exposed beams. A large window frames a vibrant autumn landscape with golden and red trees, a grassy meadow, and rugged snow-capped mountains. In the foreground, a detailed topographic relief map of a mountain range rests on a curved display table.
Modern wooden building with a sloping roof and horizontal timber siding, featuring a slatted upper section, surrounded by tall pine trees under a blue sky.