Cylburn Arboretum Vollmer Center

Clad in natural materials and following the site’s natural grade change, the new Cylburn Arboretum Vollmer Center has a quiet presence within the landscape. Slate sculptings, a sustainable alternative to the stone found on the site’s historic mansion, cover solid forms that frame a view through the building.

The light-filled lobby focuses views out to the arboretum’s large collection of maple trees. The angle of the building’s two-story volume further opens and enhances the view, directing the eye to a long vista across the upper level terrace to the natural landscape beyond. The wide staircase echoes the descent of the topography and the large window wall within the multipurpose room continues to expose visitors to the natural environment.