The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park received an Honor Award in the Institutional Architecture category for its design that places the awe-inspiring beauty of the Niagara River Gorge and immense power of the falls at the forefront, framing views of the head of the falls and offering several intuitively clear pathways to the falls.
The jury stated: “At first, we weren’t sure if this building was a little too safe or just appropriately understated. One look at the skyline across the river, however … well, let’s just say understated is a sincere compliment. We liked the PV array peeking over the edge of the roofline, and the bird-friendly gradient frit on the windows and guardrails subtly reminded us of falling water and spray. The building is at once modern and timeless, and the site design reinforces the building’s contextual use of materials. Together, site and building create an exceptionally well-curated and holistic visitor experience.”
