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SKETCH_PAD © Press Release |
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CATALYST ARCHITECTURE Begins Work on
LEED-Platinum National Wildlife Refuge Project
 PAHRUMP, NV- Beginning
in December of this year, Catalyst Architecture will be working with
the USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service) to design a new
Visitors Center, Administrative Offices and Maintenance Facility at the
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, in Nevada. The first phase
of the work will be to study two sites that have been selected in order
to provide the USFWS with site plans for each location. The two
site plans will then be evaluated for their relative merits, with the
goal of selecting one scheme to develop into an approved plan.
After the site-planning phase, Catalyst Architecture
will then be considered for the design and construction
documentation of the LEED- Platinum seeking facilities."Fossil" Waters The Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), is located 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas, and encompasses over 23,000 acres of spring-fed wetlands and alkaline desert uplands. The Refuge is a major discharge point for a vast underground aquifer system stretching 100 miles to the northeast. Water-bearing strata comes to the surface in more than 30 seeps and springs, providing a rich and complex variety of habitats. Over 10,000 gallons per minute flow year round, most of which comes from seven major springs. The reason for this abundance of water in an otherwise dry and desolate region is the presence of a geological fault. The movement of this particular fault acts as an "underground dam," blocking the flow of water and forcing it to the surface. The water arriving at Ash Meadows is called "fossil" water, because it is believed to have entered the ground water system thousands of years ago. The refuge was established primarily to conserve the unique and endangered plant and animal species found there. The refuge provides habitat for at least 25 plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world, distinguishing it as having the greatest concentration of endemic species of any local area in the continental United States. Four endangered fish species which are found on the refuge are Devil's Hole Pupfish, Ash Meadows Amargosa Pupfish, Warm Springs Pupfish, and Ash Meadows Speckled Dace. Devil's Hole pupfish occur naturally only within Devil's Hole. Because of this unique environment, it was one of the first wetlands to be designated a Wetland of International Importance. Unique Plant and Animal Habitat At the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge warm water bubbles up from underground into clear spring pools as silvery blue and grayish green pupfish dart between swaying strands of algae. Pebbled streams gurgle from small hillside springs, sheltering tiny beetles and snails. The water is warm, the air moist, in contrast to the surrounding Mojave Desert. There are also over 239 different species of birds have been recorded on the refuge. Migration periods are best for greatest diversity and numbers. During the winter, marshes and reservoirs support the largest variety of water birds. In addition, Desert bighorn sheep are occasionally observed at Point of Rocks and Devil's Hole, along with a variety of other mammals, reptiles and insects.  The
refuge is currently in the habitat restoration stage and will likely
remain so for years to come. The overall goal of the refuge and its
Recovery Plan for threatened and endangered species is to restore the
area to its natural historic condition. This will involve re-directing
spring outflows back into former natural channels, restoring wetlands,
removing non-native species (particularly salt cedar, bass, tropical
fish, and crayfish), restoring native riparian and upland vegetation,
and removing unnecessary structures such as roads, fences, and power
lines.A Nature-Based Approach In order to insure a sensitive and informed approach to the design of this project, Catalyst Architecture will be including a member of the Biomimicry Guild on the team. The Biomimicry Guild is an innovative company that uses a deep knowledge of biological adaptations to help designers, engineers, architects, and business leaders solve design and engineering challenges. Having a biologist for the initial site-design phases of the work, will help Catalyst Architecture create the conditions conducive to sustainability, by emulating more than 3.8 billion years worth of successful adaptation. Other Resources: Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Biomimicry Guild CATALYST ARCHITECTURE is an award winning, full-service sustainable design firm located in Prescott, Arizona. The firm specializes in master planning, public/tribal, commercial, and custom residential work, with an emphasis on high-performance, resource-efficient design and construction practices. With both principals Jeffrey L. Zucker and Matthew B. Ackerman LEED accredited, Catalyst is committed to the thoughtful integration of our natural and built environments. |
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