(opposite page and this
from nearby re-paving efforts in Orange. And when Hurricane Rita destroyed over 55,000 trees on the site in 2005, much of the cypress was used for benches and tables at Shangri La.
The Impact Michael Hoke, Shangri La’s director, sees the impact of Shangri La as informing a three-part audience, with the overall message potentially rippling out beyond its East Texas locale. First is the influx of architecture students, teachers, and design aficionados, all of whom are willing to travel across the state to visit the new platinum-certified project and carry home lessons learned. Second are all of the contractors and suppliers who have become part of new, locally established networks. The high level of exper-
tise culminating in this project can only help stock the region’s toolbox of sustainable design strategies and techniques. And third is the demystification of “green” for the general public, especially for the people of Orange. Locals now know just how possible it is to be “greener than before” or even “green” at all. Restoring the gardens of Shangri La to their original condition would be cause enough for celebration in Orange, but the newly re-discovered Shangri La goes much further. In giving back a reconnection to nature that is not only viewable, but usable, educational, and kind, the Stark Foundation has provided a deeper lesson— nature deserves continuous respect.
page, top) The selection of low-maintenance building materials contributed to the project’s achieving LEED Platinum Certification, a first in Texas for new construction. (this page, bottom) The heronry blind allows visitors to observe the birds nesting on the site.
A TA contributing editor, Val Glitsch, FAIA, practices in Houston.
r e s o u r c e s wood ceilings:
Green Mountain Builders, Vintage Materials;
sunshades :
Griesenbeck Architectural Products, Inc.; casework :
l abor atory
Vintage Materials;
blinds , shu t t ers , a nd sh a des :
Quiltcraft Industries (formerly Boriack Interiors); pavers :
Boral Bricks;
m at e r i a l s :
Gould Concrete ;
mortar and grout :
Southwest
Concrete Products ; materials :
unit
concrete
metal
Berger Iron Works;
architectural woodwork :
tage Materials;
Vin-
masonry units :
Featherlite; limestone : Mezger building insul a -
Enterprises; tion :
BioBased (Cell-U-Insul,
Inc.); entrances and storefronts : Vistawall (Ameraproducts, Inc.);
unit sk ylights :
Kalwall
(Griesenbeck Architectural Products), Naturalite (Ameraproducts, Inc.); glass :
7 / 8
2 0 0 8
l a min at e d
Viracon
t e x a s
a r c h i t e c t
47