The Robinson Nature Center is Howard County’s first publically owned and operated nature center. Henry Adams provided the mechanical, electrical and plumbing design for the new 24,500 SF facility, which is situated on 18.4 acres along to the Middle Patuxent River.  The Center hopes to reconnect people to nature through its educational venues that include a 33-foot diameter domed “Naturesphere” theater (similar to a planetarium), 150-seat auditorium, exhibit spaces, classrooms, gift shop, administrative offices and support spaces, storage and workrooms, as well as its outdoor spaces. The site includes ADA accessible trails, rough terrain walking trails and demonstration gardens and landscaping. 

The Center has been awarded a LEED Platinum rating. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing design included light pollution reduction, low flow plumbing fixtures to decrease water usage by more than 50 percent over conventional fixtures, and saves more than 42 percent energy compared to the ASHRAE 90.1 Standard by using geothermal heat pumps, highly efficient lighting, waste energy recovery, and a 42kw PV solar electric system. 

The Robinson Nature Center has won 11 awards to date, many of which have celebrated its sustainable design.

Additional Information:

Location	Columbia, MD
Construction Value	$12,800,000
Owner	Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks
Architect	GWWO, Inc./Architects

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