Location:
Roanoke, Indiana
Delivery Method:
CMc
Project:
Reconstruction
Size:
5,000 SF
Construction Cost:
$2.6 million
Designer:
MartinRiley
Construction start:
March 2020
Completion:
April 2021
LC Nature Park is a complete reconstruction of a 160 year old bank barn. The barn was lifted off of its original foundations. New footings were poured, walls constructed, and slab poured under the existing barn, then it was lowered down into place. Insulation panels were installed. New siding was added on the exterior, along with large storefront windows, roll-up glass garage doors, an
accordion-style door, and a wraparound deck with custom cedar/metal hand-railing. The interior features a new instructional kitchen with two moveable islands, all new wide plank flooring, a loft with custom hand railing, wheelchair-lift, and restrooms. The client’s goal was for the new barn to mimic the original as much as possible while bringing it up to modern standards, including all new lighting and in-floor heating.
LC Nature Park is 200 acres dedicated to preserving and restoring Indiana’s natural flora and fauna. The central nature center for the park is a renovated late 1890s barn. The barn has been renovated and adapted to function as a multipurpose learning center to accommodate small and large groups, educational displays, a teaching kitchen, pantry, restrooms, and storage areas. Also included is a rainwater lab, exhibit space, and bison overlook. The park currently has a herd of bison and elk that can walk up to a feeding trough where visitors can view them to the north of the barn. The center is also a great place to view other native wildlife. The water lab uses natural technology similar to a bioswale to show students the power of nature to purify water and prevent erosion. The lab is primarily activated during rainstorms. However, it can also be used for daily examples due to a connection with a rainwater cistern and pump.
