Innovation Guide - 2021 - 9

The zero-energy design of the Westwood
Hills Nature Center helps meet the
community's climate action goals, while the
layout of the building boasts an inclusive
and welcoming environment.
ing design features that enhanced
the
project's
design,
including
the need for a vestibule with a
restroom and drinking fountain
open year-round, from sunrise
to sunset; easy wayfinding; and a
place for residents to be in community
with one another.
St. Louis Park Operations
and Recreation contracted with
Captivate Media, which created
a marketing campaign that included
distribution of information
via television, social media,
city publications and newspapers,
surveys, email communications,
and the city's website.
The department also worked
with HGA Architects on the
zero-energy design, Split Rock
Studios on exhibit designs, RJM
Construction on construction
management, St. Louis Park
Friends of the Arts on bringing
public art to the building, the Raptor
Center on best practices for care
and management of the raptor facilities,
and Bassett Creek Watershed
Management Commission
on an educational waterscape.
Looking Ahead
In the face of a changing climate,
the city and design team
sought to understand how future
climate may impact zeroenergy
performance. HGA Architects
led city staff and team
members through an extensive,
multi-faceted resiliency exercise
to prepare and plan for adverse
events. Risks were forecasted
and assessed, and resilient strategies
implemented
to
ensure
the
building and site continue
to meet energy goals and future
community needs.
The building itself features durable
materials, such as polished
concrete floors and a geothermal
system with few moving parts,
minimizing the need for maintenance.
The building site includes
wide use of sustainable and environmentally
friendly materials and
systems, reducing its negative impact
on natural resources. Native
plants were used in the landscaping
to reduce maintenance needs
over time. What's more, the zeroenergy
designation requires annual
certification, which encourages
maintaining current systems and
evolving processes over time to
maintain the certification.
" This is a perfect opportunity
for City of St. Louis Park to really
plant the seed in the youth for
tomorrow to know what we can
do and how we can live in harmony
with the environment, "
says Brian Hoffman, director of
buildings and energy for City of
St. Louis Park Operations and
Recreation.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | 2 0 2 1 INNO V AT ION GUIDE | Parks & Recreation
9
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK OPERATIONS AND RECREATION
Innovation Guide - 2021

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