海角视频

Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University

Sewell, NJ, USA

The 44,000ft虏 hybrid mass timber facility features immersive fossil galleries, research workshops, and hands-on learning experiences. It includes full-scale skeletal reconstructions of prehistoric beasts and a virtual reality chamber that transports guests back to the time of dinosaurs. Additionally, it has a theater and event space, nature trails, a paleo-themed playground, and a veranda-wrapped caf茅 overlooking the four-acre quarry.

Located in New Jersey, the marl pit contains thousands of fossils from the Cretaceous Period. As the only fossil site of its kind within a major metropolitan area, the fossil park provides an unparalleled opportunity for millions of residents to enjoy an authentic, hands-on exploration of the Earth鈥檚 past. Since 2012, nearly 15,000 visitors have dug for their own fossils and have unearthed sea turtles, sharks, fish, crocodiles, and mosasaurs.

The new development features a museum and visitor center, a fossil preparation lab, a nature trail, a paleontology-themed playground, social spaces to accommodate special events, and areas for visitors to participate in paleontological digs at the site.

Challenge

One of the project鈥檚 primary goals was to encourage environmental stewardship through both education and demonstration of high-performance sustainability through the building.

海角视频 are thoughtful from a design standpoint, intelligent and sophisticated. They understand the bigger picture. They have been a partner in realizing the vision for the building; they are skilled in explaining the impact of the engineering decisions on the design intent.

Mayva Donnon, Partner, KSS Architects

Solution

Teamed with Ennead Architects and KSS Architects, 海角视频 provided structural and MEP engineering, as well as lighting design and sustainability consulting services for the preservation and expansion of this unique park, which leads a transformation of STEM education through a one-of-a-kind, hands-on center for discovery and research.

Incorporating features such as geothermal wells for ground-source heating and cooling systems and a photovoltaic solar field, 100% of the energy used by the museum comes from a combination of green energy available in New Jersey鈥檚 power grid and renewable energy. No fossil fuels are combusted for museum operations and no greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.

In addition, the surrounding grounds restore plant and animal habitat and other key landscape features. The building utilizes heavy timber and cross-laminated timber structure as well as wood cladding to maximize the use of renewable materials.

Value

Coinciding with The Edelman Fossil Park Museum’s mission to foster climate education, no fossil fuels are consumed on site. These innovative strategies ensure the museum, laboratory space, and active fossil site operate sustainably while educating visitors about the impacts of climate change. Beyond its architectural and environmental achievements, the museum will be a community cornerstone and hub for paleontological research, inspiring future generations to discover the past and protect the future.聽

They are a firm that you want to use on aspirational projects, and in particular on projects pursuing high-level sustainability goals.

Andrew Sniderman, Associate, KSS Archiects