This was a component of a larger studio project completed for the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, an organization which rehabilitates injured birds of prey in Fort Collins, CO. The goal of this visitor center was to provide a space for arrival of visitors to the campus, educational and artistic exhibits, classes/lectures, and community events. The building is located to serve as a landing spot that connects to the rest of the site.

I designed the building itself, taking inspiration from the form of hawk wings for the roof. I designed the space for smooth pedestrian circulation, with a particular emphasis on creating a clear arrival sequence. Connections between the indoor and outdoors spaces was important. Fluidity between the main event/gathering space and the front and back patios was a focus, driving considerations of materiality, scale, sun exposure, and viewsheds. A modern aesthetic both in form and materiality serves to make the building focal and attract the eye. Views of the building from a nearby hiking trail ~300’ higher in elevation were studied.