Located on a small, ecologically protected island in the Thimble Island archipelago, the design and construction of this teaching and coastal research center required a regenerative, sustainable approach to material sourcing, construction methodologies, and energy systems. The design and construction process moved between island and mainland—many components were prefabricated, then shipped and assembled in the field to reduce our impact on the site. The logistical challenges involved in island design led to innovation in construction details and assembly systems.
protected island in the Thimble Island archipelago, the design and construction of this teaching and coastal research center required a regenerative, sustainable approach to material sourcing, construction methodologies, and energy systems. The design and construction process moved between island and mainland—many components were prefabricated, then shipped and assembled in the field to reduce our impact on the site. The logistical challenges involved in island design led to innovation in construction details and assembly systems.
Our efforts to minimize the building’s carbon footprint go beyond it’s solar energy systems. We looked to the life-cycles of the building’s materials as opportunities for carbon sequestration. The building’s structure utilizes salvaged Cross-Laminated Timber and sassafras tree columns found on site. Finish materials include hemlock culled from a local forest and elements recycled from recent renovations at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
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