The site is located in Pioneer’s Park, which celebrates the early American pioneer’s innovative spirit. Historic pioneer architecture, materiality, and structure came from the most readily available, natural sources, most notably sod. Historic sod house construction methods were reinterpreted using contemporary sod materials and green roof technology. Programmatically the roof acts as an extension to the park providing green space equal to space taken by the building’s footprint. Similar to traditional sod house design, the structure was placed beneath the Earth’s surface to achieve a more temperate interior condition. Interior exhibition and office space provides a serene environment accompanied by natural light. The structure brings occupants closer to nature, as the pioneers once were.
