Keene State Science Center

The advancement of the natural sciences is an essential element of Keene State College’s academic agenda. The redesign of the Natural Science Center provided an opportunity to redesign the 9,000 square foot courtyard and to coordinate it with the school’s curriculum. The design captures the essential character of the New Hampshire landscape and distills it into an idealized snapshot of the state, creating a model outdoor field laboratory that promotes geological, botanical, and ecological awareness for the college and community.

Dirtworks worked closely with the faculty to develop elements for use in teaching. Paving patterns and materials interpret geologic strata and processes with native stone types. Large boulders, representing rock outcrops, provide illustrations of natural rock formations. The plant palette was carefully selected to represent native New Hampshire flora and the systematic hierarchy of botany and botanical evolution. Two wells allow for the monitoring of water quality and groundwater levels. While closely linked to the academic curriculum, the courtyard also offers a relaxing and inspiring setting for daily uses.

Location
Keene, NH

Completion
2004

Size
9,000 SF

Collaborators
Mitchel Giurgola Banwell Architects

Recognition
2011 Boston Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award 2007 SCUP Honor Award 2007 ASLANY Honor Award 2006 AIA NH Honor Award