NORTHERN SPIRIT
LAYERS OF SPACES CONNECT TO NATURE'S PLAYGROUND
Location
Glenburn, ME
Completion Date
Size
5,000 SF
Client
Linda Boyle Nature Center, LLC
Team
Mike DelleFave
Katya Stassen
Adrian DiCorato
Awards
Description
Nestled in Maine's rural north, RODE is currently creating a a new nature center and forest preschool on an 88-acre parcel including a former gravel quarry, natural wetlands, a beaver pond, rock formations, and wildlife habitats.
The Center will support a centuries old tradition of natural play as a teaching pedagogy, incorporating layers of spatial connections to both the natural play space it surrounds and to striking northern views.
Our initial programming study helped us to understand the needs of this very special facility, particularly the levels of building enclosure required for each program element. The spaces shift between fully enclosed with framed views, enclosed but visually open, covered but open to air, and finally fully open to the sky. With the understanding of those adjacencies, we then sited and oriented the building to take advantage of the sun, views, and topography. Finally, we created roof forms and framed views specific to each space.