Siegel & Strain Architects | McClellan Ranch Preserve Environmental Education Center

McClellan Ranch Preserve | Photos by David Wakely

McClellan Ranch Preserve

Cupertino, California

McClellan Ranch Preserve, located on the site of a ranch dating from the 1870s, is an 18-acre City of Cupertino park that hosts the City’s environmental education programs. Students of all ages gather at the new Environmental Education Center (EEC) before heading out to Stevens Creek or the meadow to make observations, gather data, and perform experiments. The preserve also houses the local 4-H Club, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, and a large community garden.

The EEC houses classrooms, a library, and offices, and is designed to work in concert with the historic buildings to shape an outdoor activity area for large groups. Smaller groups can gather on the EEC’s covered porch and stadium steps. The classrooms open out to the porch and a large outdoor room in the crook of the L-shaped building.

The butterfly roof demonstrates the program’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Water collected from the roof is directed into tanks at either end of the building, and the south-facing roof, located on the sunniest area of the site, is topped with a photovoltaic system that provides most of the EEC’s electricity.

AWARDS:

California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS) Award of Excellence
Marvin Windows Architects Challenge – Contemporary

SIZE: 18-acre park
2,165 sf building; 1,100 sf porches

COST: $1.8M (includes site work and relocation of the Blacksmith Shop)

STATUS: Construction completed 2015

CLIENT: City of Cupertino

PHOTOGRAPHY: David Wakely

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN GOALS: Energy and water resource-efficient elements, wild-life friendly attributes, abundant natural light and air: maximized passive heating and cooling to reduce use of mechanical systems; photovoltaic panels reduce electricity use and carbon emissions; LED lighting with occupancy sensors; radiant heating and cooling in concrete slab flooring; operable windows and ceiling fans; use of fritted windows reduce bird strikes; rainwater collected and stored in tanks for reuse; rock-filled catchment systems to replenish groundwater; low-flow fixtures; electric tankless water heaters; healthy building materials; drought tolerant, non-invasive, native plant landscaping; bioswales; drip irrigation system; old barn wood reused in new structure; fly ash used for concrete.

“Siegel & Strain Architects proved to be very skillful by listening and engaging our staff to provide for proposed programs and special needs. S&S met deadlines and budget – they were active managers of the project and have an exceptional level of accountability. They found creative solutions to specific challenges, by designing an elegant as well as practical environmental education center in a very active City Park.”

— CARMEN LYNAUGH, PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT MANAGER, CITY OF CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA