Sustainable Interventions for Parrish Art Museum

A re-envisioning of the Parrish Art Museum, originally built by Herzog/ DeMeuron in 2011, as a model of sustainability and renewable energy design. The building here is partially buffered with earth, which serves not only as added insulation and visual landscape unifier but also builds on the original designer’s concept of the structure as an ode to the traditional potato barn of the area. Additionally, the earthen berms could be used as amphitheater-style seating for outdoor events. An onsite wind turbine and solar roof array would supply the energy demand of the whole building, and an integrated water catchment system in the “valley” of the twin roof peaks could irrigate a wildflower field on the adjacent side.