The Farmhouse Education Center is the first phase of capital improvements identified in the master plan for this 118-acre regional cultural and recreational institution. TSKP STUDIO developed the multi-phase master plan for the Stamford Museum and Nature Center (SM&NC) to optimize visitor experience as SM&NC continues to expand its program offerings.
The Education Center provides educational spaces, visitor services and a new entrance to the Farm museum. It includes: a 1,600 SF multipurpose space with commercial kitchen and an open deck overlooking an existing paddock, a Maple Sugar and Cidering House, expanded parking, additional paddocks and outdoor gathering spaces such as the boulder ring serving as an outdoor classroom.
The center straddles competing objectives of a dynamic civic space for public programs and an intimate, contemplative environment for viewing the working farm. The main buildings, located between the new gathering spaces and the existing paddocks, are designed to be a mediating filter, allowing the pasture vista to be experienced from the gathering spaces through the transparent lobby or from the overlook deck. Respectful of their context, the new buildings look like farm buildings. The building volume is reduced and broken into two barn-shaped elements, using timber construction with cedar cladding. The two barn elements are connected by a glass enclosed breezeway that is the lobby.