The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) is located in Fort Worth, Texas and provides new research facilities for scientists dedicated to the study of plants and the living world. Completed in 2011, BRIT was designed by H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture and is divided into two structures. The “Think Block” houses administration and research offices, an education department, an exhibit area, and public spaces, while the “Archive Block”, houses the herbarium and library. The Think Block is a two-story precast concrete structure that features solar passive design with a large sloping roof. Large north facing windows and sun shading pull in lots of natural daylight without too much solar heat gain. The Archive Block is a very protected and heavily insulated building to ensure ideal temperature and humidity conditions for the botanical specimens.
The Think Block is topped off with a green roof composed of regional sedums and grasses of the native Fort Worth Prairie. The roof also works in conjunction with a stormwater management program to limit runoff and provides space for the photovoltaic system. Geothermal heating and cooling and recycled and reclaimed materials are also included in the facility’s design. The BRIT was awarded with a LEED Platinum certification in July of 2011.
Via ArchDaily
Images ©Chris Cooper
