Archbold Biological Station

A proud recipient of a LEED Platinum Certification, the project was designed to integrate the outdoors with the indoors, the Learning Center is approximately 5,700 sq. ft. in size, with an additional 3,700 sq. ft. of partially screened, outdoor covered space. It consists of several smaller structures under one over arching roof, housing two meeting rooms, public restrooms, Education Department office, a permanent K-12 educational exhibit/interpretive display area, informational kiosks, and a lobby which functions as an additional venue for social events. The Lodge is a 2-story facility, 5,100 sq. ft. in size, with 2,500 sq. ft. of decking, containing 14 rooms with the capacity to sleep up to 41 guests. A separate Lobby/Lounge in the building is for small meetings, studying or simply relaxing after a day of fieldwork. This project was constructed using as much environmentally safe and conservative construction as possible to include an extensive rainwater harvesting system and underground cistern providing 80% of the water needed for restroom facilities and clothes washing. The project was constructed on an Environmentally Sensitive Site on one of the largest remaining areas of endangered Florida scrub ecosystem. The site is a National Natural Landmark and the Station is on the National Register of Historic Places.