Situated on the previous site of a farmstead, this horticultural science center recalls it’s agrarian heritage within a sprawling Kansas prairie. In this facility students learn about horticultural practices in a state-of-the-art greenhouse and classroom with outdoor gardens. The design was informed by the site’s historical significance, and the opportunity for restatement of Kansas’ vernacular water conservation methods. The building employs a rainwater harvest system that together with the reactivated windmill, capture and conserve water for irrigation.

Merit Award for Design Excellence: AIA Kansas

“This building is an inspiration to all that experience its unique character and a benchmark to which we will judge future building designs on our campus.”

James M. Freed, Director, Facility Planning
Johnson County Community College