Bowdoin College Schiller Coastal Studies Center
Sebago Technics was retained by Bowdoin College in 2017 to provide site design and layout of the new buildings and cabins proposed on site for the Schiller Coastal Studies Center.
Location
Harpswell, Maine
Sector
Education
Services
- Land Surveying
- Civil Engineering
- Site Design
- Permitting
Completed
2017
Project overview
The 118-acre Harpswell facility, located about thirteen miles from the Bowdoin campus, offers an even wider range of possibilities for students and researchers studying the ocean and the environment.
Project details
Expanding access for coastal research
The project included a single-story 4,200-square-foot dry lab, with teaching, research, and preparation and support spaces. There is also a single-story 4,950-square-foot Living & Learning building to provide spaces for classes, conferences, and dining. The residential component consists of three 1,800-square-foot six-bedroom cabins, and a 950-square-foot apartment cabin.
The site sits prominently overlooking Harpswell Sound. The buildings were situated to take advantage of the topography and nestle into the land. The cabins, apartment, and Living & Learning building were designed to Passive House standards with “super” insulation, triple-pane windows, and efficient air-exchange systems for heating and cooling.
Sebago Technics worked with the Bowdoin team and other consultants to locate buildings, walkways, and provide innovative stormwater treatment solutions and site amenities in a manner that would create a limited impact on the coastal property. A native plant palette was selected to support the surrounding woodland and create an aesthetic that blends into the wooded coastal Harpswell area.
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