State park office design should go back to drawing board

Architecture is an art form, and as such it’s meant to provoke thought. It’s the most common form of art that we interact with on a daily basis, but it also holds so much more potential energy to create connections with each other and with the land that we all collectively inhabit. Places people gather, like Cape Henlopen State Park, are where our cultural and natural resources are shared. So why should the places that house these resources get overlooked? A quick glance around Sussex County today does not yield intellectually stimulating design, rather countless carbon copies of plastic fantastic boxes. The proposed Cape Henlopen park office is a continuation of that design ethos. While design is subjective, the conceptual one depicted lacks a connection to the people and place in which it is to exist.

For example, take the proposed entrance experiences into the structure. Able-bodied people are presented with short and direct access via a flight of stairs, while those who aren’t are rendered second-class citizens. Individuals who must take a roundabout ramp will watch those without disabilities have a more impactful entry experience. First impressions are everything, and if this is going to be a first impression for park visitors, then making sure everyone is welcome should be high on the priority list. Looking at the ways in which Europe approaches public building entrances would provide some inspiration on this issue.

Other aspects that stand out are the material and color choices. A gateway to Cape Henlopen should provide a taste of the curated experience. The best way to set that foundation is through a material palate that offers a sensory experience similar to the park. In an environment of beaches, coastal sand dunes and maritime forests, dark-toned timber would complement the location very well. It also wouldn't hurt to lighten the amount of color in the structure; after all, it isn’t an office block. A design that stands out will be remembered more than one that blends in.

Lastly, for an environmentally conscious area and organization, the proposed structure’s rendering suggests that it would not pass the lowest bar for environmentally sustainable buildings. From the asphalt shingle roof to the colossal amount of concrete surrounding the building, the carbon footprint would be quite large. Again, northern Europe would be the place to look for inspiration on how to address the crises of carbon. This isn’t a grand gateway into the park, it’s cheap what? An organization that has won national recognition as a premier parks system should put up the money to adhere to that standard.