The building employs a stable, well-insulated, massive, and self-shading shell.  This long-lasting and energy-efficient building design helps create an ‘energy flywheel’ to keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter. Supplemental heating and cooling is provided by a geothermal heat pump, and stormwater is collected in an outdoor rain garden.  A roof-mounted 10kw photovoltaic system provides up to 8% of facility energy needs, and low-flow plumbing and landscape management practices reduce water usage.

A Leading Environmental Education and Conference Center

The Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is one of the country’s largest and most prominent environmental education centers. This TKWA-designed facility provides classroom and indoor/outdoor spaces to support educational programming for over 35,000 children per year. The Center also serves as a popular conference venue, with a 200 seat multi-media auditorium, a large Great Hall reception area, as well as meeting and informal lounge areas. A catering kitchen supports popular public/private events such as weddings and receptions.

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The First LEED Gold New Building in Wisconsin

TKWA led a multi-disciplinary consultant team through an integrated design process. Key sustainable features include use of site harvested timbers, design of a stable, well-insulated and self-shading building shell to reduce energy use, incorporation of natural daylight and ventilation, roof-mounted 10kw photovoltaic system, geothermal, and stormwater management.

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An Outdoor Pavilion Serves as Trailhead

This award-winning outdoor pavilion overlooks Lake Michigan using wood from site harvested Black Locust trees.  The pavilion has become a popular year-round destination for the Nature Center’s educational programming and public receptions, as well as a destination for quiet contemplation by trail hikers on the 185-acre site.

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Nature-based Preschool

The Nature Preschool at SANC is the first environmentally-based pre-school program in the state. All educational programs offer outdoor experiences integrated into a diverse, seasonally-based curriculum including art, music, perceptive and cognitive skill development, large and small motor skill development, and the natural sciences. Children experience the freedom of casual exploration in a seemingly limitless natural world. 

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