Kenai NWR Visitor Center

DESCRIPTION

BCE served as an independent technical reviewer and project facilitator on this design-build contract to support the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service with a new 8,000 sq. ft. LEED Silver certified Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. This modern facility enhanced the visitor experience with an immersive exhibit hall, multipurpose event space, administrative offices, a bookstore and concessions area, conference rooms and restrooms equipped with showers. Designed to blend seamlessly with its forested surroundings, the center also featured an outdoor exhibit area, thoughtfully planned pedestrian walkways, visitor parking, and native landscaping. BCE’s role ensured a smooth, highquality designbuild process that delivered a sustainable, engaging destination for the public. The project’s design emphasized sustainability at every stage, incorporating features such as a living sod roof, a photovoltaic (PV) solar array, highefficiency HVAC systems, and natural ventilation strategies. At project kickoff, BCE led a collaborative alpha design process, an intensive week long charrette that brought together FWS leadership, refuge staff, contractors, and valueengineering specialists to align vision, goals, and technical priorities. Throughout design and construction, BCE delivered comprehensive multidisciplinary reviews and independent government estimates at key milestones, commissioned the facility’s critical systems, including lighting controls, HVAC, building automation, emergency power, and solar/PV systems, and provided commissioning support through construction and into the warranty phase. Environmental stewardship guided every aspect of planning and execution. Construction sequencing was carefully coordinated to protect local wildlife, including phasing work around an active bald eagle nesting area and incorporating protocols for potential work stoppages during sensitive mating and nesting periods.