Nantucket Conservation Foundation: A Master Plan for a Delicate Ecosystem
Drawing on comprehensive site analysis and forest restoration techniques, Viridian planned a holistic research campus in a sensitive island landscape, preserving viewsheds while providing essential research facilities.
Responsible Site Selection
Nantucket's largest conservation group had outgrown its cramped facility and needed space to continue their work in one of the region's most delicate ecosystems. To find the right site, we explored hundreds of acres, raised flagpoles to test sightlines, and built physical and digital models to assess how new construction might affect the island's protected views. This process led to a reimagined HQ — not just a building with labs, offices, and educational spaces, but a whole campus with much-needed resources for the researchers who protect this special place.
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation Master Plan.
Working with collaborators on site.
Specialized Partnerships
Early on, we brought in our past architectural collaborators at SMP to shape the new buildings. But we also recognized that the island's unique challenges demanded hyper-local expertise. Working alongside the Conservation team, we hand-selected plants for harvesting and relocating from the area of disturbance, coordinating with contractors to minimize their time out of the ground. The NCF is also propagating plants since off-island plants could compromise ecosystem integrity. This collaborative approach trusted each expert's specialized knowledge while maintaining a single holistic vision.
Protecting Native Landscapes
Our plan calls for tucking the new buildings into hillsides to preserve views and using materials that belonged to the island, like stabilized sand paths, local stone, and simple wood finishes. New grading followed existing landforms, while winding paths through scrub oak preserved and framed views. We integrated forest restoration techniques into our plan, planting dozens of tiny trees and shrub whips that could grow naturally in Nantucket's harsh conditions. Every choice reinforces the conservation mission and the community that makes it possible.
