Walden Pond Visitor Center
Completion
Occupancy
Building is a state owned Visitor Center facility that is open year round almost every day of the year. Staffing and visitor numbers are seasonal with the peak in the summer.
Scope
100% new construction (partial reused basement from previous building). Scope included building and extensive landscaping, utility and energy components.
| Type of Construction | New |
|---|---|
| Number of buildings | 1 |
| Floor area of each building | 5,575 |
| Bathrooms | 4.0 |
| Stories | 1 |
| Conditioned Building Volume | 55,000 cu ft |
| Conditioned Floor Area | 4,500 sq ft |
| Semiconditioned Floor Area | 1,075 sq ft |
Location and Climate Details
Visitor Center
| Address |
915 Walden St. Concord, MA 01742
United States |
|---|---|
| Location Type | Suburaban |
| Climate Region | Zone 5 |
| Köppen Climate Type | Cfa |
| Lat. / Long. | POINT (-71.3345107 42.4404591) |
| Elevation | 205 ft |
| Solar Insolation | 4.378 kWh/m2/day |
| Annual CDD and Base Temp | 867 | 65 deg F |
| Annual HDD and Base Temp | 6372 | 65 deg F |
Site
The site is across Walden St. from Walden Pond in the location of a previous structure (former house) used by DCR as a visitor center and adjacent to the visitor parking areas. An enhanced arrival landscape area was created between the parking area by reducing the overall parking lot size from the existing to better connect and welcome visitors to the new Visitor Center, Henry David Thoreau replica cabin and crosswalk to the pond itself.
Materials and Design Strategy
The overall project had goals of using local materials whenever possible. The building itself uses local Massachusetts lumber for siding, decking, flooring and casework. Other wood products such as framing was FSC certified. Waste management during the project accounted for over 95% of waste being diverted from landfills. Native and adapted plant species allowed for no permanent irrigation and the majority were obtained from local sources.
Daylighting Strategy: The large windows will allow the building to be lit during the day by natural sunlight rather than electric light. All offices have large windows as well.
Cross Ventilation: The building was designed to be cooled down by natural breezes vs. air conditioning. Large operable sliding doors in the main exhibit space and operable windows in all the offices allow for the breezes to blow through the building, decreasing the days in the year when the AC needs to be turned on. Ceiling fans in the main spaces are also utilized to enhance natural air circulation.
Overhangs: The new Visitor Center’s large overhangs, combined with the tree canopy, help to shade the expanse of glass that is directed to the view, to prevent the building from overheating in the summer.