Kendall/Heaton Associates

This renovation of the existing 11,000 square foot Houston Arboretum and Nature Center supports the non-profit organization’s vision of expanding educational programming and community outreach. Classroom and meeting spaces adjacent to the Discovery Room, an outdoor classroom, and rotating exhibits within the building’s light-filled circulation space facilitate experiential learning for patrons of all ages. The Discovery Center establishes a foundation for multi-sensory experiences offered by the Arboretum’s programming. It allows visitors to discover the diversity of the Arboretum’s unique location at the intersection of three ecological regions.

The floor, walls, and ceiling provide learning opportunities about one’s relationship to nearby Buffalo Bayou, the surrounding ecosystems, and an understanding of well-known constellations. The Shop welcomes guests and offers them an opportunity to grab a snack before hitting one of the trails where they can continue to explore.