The W.A. Callegari Environmental Center is a part of a rapidly growing
initiative of the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. This facility
and expansion house valuable expertise, applied research capabilities,
public education, and analytical resources to address organic by-product
management and water quality, as well as general environmental protection.
The center provides the much-needed link between research and
public education. Located on an 8 acre site at the LSU Ag Center’s Central
Research Station, the facility began with an 8500 square foot building for
the Organic Degradation Research Laboratory, a water quality laboratory,
office space, and meeting rooms. Next to this the building is a 3 acre composting
pad used for demonstrations and research.
This new sustainable office building is situated between the existing structure
and the composting pad. The design incorporates several green products
and sustainable strategies, including a low-tech water cistern located at the
northwest corner of the building. The building serves as the visual gateway
for visitors and also expands the capabilities of this facility by providing an
additional 3500 square feet of office and classroom space. The character of
the building maintains the facility’s pragmatic, agricultural sensibilities while
celebrating and showcasing its world-class outreach program