Zehren and Associates "conceived both structures as contemporary interpretations of the agrarian architecture that would have characterized the site shortly after the Vail Valley was settled in the 1880's."
What does Agrarian mean you might ask? This just refers to something that is concerned with "agricultural or rural aspects". The above statement suggests our new campus buildings will be contemporary versions of the rural farmhouses that may have been indicative of Vail's architecture in the 1800's.
The magazine goes on further to explain Slifer's vision, "Many interior design elements come straight from the sustainability primer, among them no-VOC paint, bamboo cabinets and surfacing, rubber-cork wainscoting, wool carpet and cork floor tile. Where flooring is concrete, it's polished, tinted and sandblasted with animal footprints and watershed maps."
Kim Toms, Slifer's lead on the project is excited "that the children will learn about the environment just by walking around".
We invite you to visit us and create your own story! Our new Buck Creek Campus will be open to the public for a grand community celebration at the end of August, 2011. Sign up to receive news by email for the most up-to-date information about the new Walking Mountains Science Center campus and upcoming opening day!