Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center

Surrounded by land reclaimed from a demolished concrete parking lot, the 330-foot-long Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center houses offices and classrooms, while a continuous exhibition space flows from gallery to gallery, spilling out onto a shaded canopy and amphitheater. The silhouette of the mass timber roof structure, framed with glulam beams and wood decking, evokes a series of waves, reflecting the Center’s mission of environmental education. Wood was the perfect choice for this building because it created a light structure that could be built on the foundations of the 1960s-era bathhouse that had occupied the site. Timber piles form a pier-like deck surrounding the Center, addressing the constraints of the building’s location on a flood plain and connecting it to the coastal context. The natural patina of the cedar cladding will fade to silver, blending with its natural setting. Inside, designers used the warmth of wood to welcome visitors and create a comfortable atmosphere that promotes learning. An interactive model and video of the net-zero building greets visitors as they enter the lobby, explaining how the building generates as much energy as it consumes from its 260 rooftop solar panels.