Sustainable visitor center preserves iconic Denali views while achieving LEED Platinum excellence
At a glance
The Eielson Visitor Center is an 8,500-square-foot LEED Platinum visitor center in Denali National Park, Alaska featuring subterranean design to preserve mountain views, renewable power systems and durable materials for extreme weather conditions. Accommodates 300 visitors while harmonizing with the natural landscape.
The challenge
The National Park Service needed a visitor center 67 miles inside Alaska’s Denali National Park that could welcome up to 300 visitors while protecting the location's world-famous views of Mount McKinley. The facility had to withstand extreme winter conditions when unattended and inaccessible by road. Critical challenges included minimizing the building's visual impact on the pristine wilderness setting, incorporating sustainable design elements to achieve LEED Platinum certification and using durable materials that could endure harsh weather conditions. The project also needed to seamlessly blend with the natural environment through all seasons.
Our response
RIM Architects, now part of GHD, designed an innovative subterranean building that virtually disappears into the landscape, with only low garden walls visible above ground. The design preserves panoramic mountain vistas while providing comfortable interior spaces for visitors. We selected a color palette drawn from the surrounding rocks and vegetation to harmonize with the changing seasons. Materials from the previous center were reclaimed and integrated into the new design to minimize environmental impact. The facility operates sustainably through renewable power systems including photovoltaic panels and a hydroelectric generator. Our design responded to the extreme climate by incorporating highly durable materials and systems that perform reliably even when the facility is unmanned during winter months.
The impact
The Eielson Visitor Center has become a model of sustainable architecture in national parks, achieving LEED Platinum certification while maintaining the site's natural character. The facility successfully accommodates hundreds of daily visitors without compromising the wilderness experience. The building's low profile and integrated design preserve the iconic views that draw visitors from around the world. Multiple design awards recognize the project's success in balancing operational requirements, sustainability and preservation of the natural environment. The center demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can enhance rather than compete with protected landscapes.