Title: Nags Head Coastal Discovery Museum
Location of Proejct: Nags Head, NC
Project Completion Date: May 4, 2020
Firm Name:

Short Description: The Town of Nags Head Coastal Discovery Museum located adjacent to the heart of Nags Head, Whalebone Junction, serves the entire community by providing a myriad of activity options for visitors and year-round residents alike. Enhanced pedestrian pathways, sidewalks, bike paths, stoplights, and miles of new scenic trails create a more healthy and active lifestyle on Nags Head. The building form was inspired by marine structures and forms found in the local ecosystem, the natural material palette and low dynamic profile help to ground it to the ever-changing marshscape for years to come.

Architect's Statement: PROJECT GOALS:The 20,000 SF museum sits on 6 acres of undisturbed natural vegetation and marsh overlooking the Pamlico Sound. By reclaiming this area of Nags Head, the complex encourages understanding and protection of coastal wetlands while increasing community interaction and economic development. It anchors the southwest end of Nags Head where thousands of people walk, bike, and drive by every year. Currently, much of the attractions for the town are on the oceanfront, despite historical development originating on the sound.

SITE + HISTORY:
Located on the north end of the North Carolina Outer Banks, Nags Head has served as a popular tourist destination for hundreds of years. The area is filled with great restaurants, and activities for people of all ages, including numerous historic sites and miles of nature trails. Its location as a barrier island means that it is often the first line of defense for hurricanes and nor’easters that continuously batter the NC coastline, reshaping the land for centuries. Nags Head residents and visitors have grown accustomed to this way of life. However, if climate change continues to worsen these storms and cause drastic sea level rise, the future of Nags Head may be in trouble. Therefore, it is important to tackle these issues now before things get too far out of control.

Established in the 1830s, Nags Head has a very rich history, from its early settlement as a wealthy farmers retreat to what is believed to have been Blackbeard the pirate’s stomping grounds. During the Civil War and World Wars, hundreds of boats were sunk off of the Outer Banks coast. Originally, wealthy plantation owners and their families arrived via steamboat at various sound side docks and hotels. They quickly found that many people, called Bankers, were already settled on the island. They were mostly farmers, fisherman, herdsmen and ship salvagers, trying to make a living amidst the unforgiving sea. After arriving via boat, the visitors could travel from sound to sea by using a boardwalk. There were dancing halls, hotels, bowling alleys, and much more, all located along the sound to take advantage of the crisp breezes and unobstructed views. The first cottages of Nags Head were also built along the sound, later moved to the oceanfront around 1910. Nestled among the dunes, their simple yet brilliant construction has allowed them to endure storm after storm. After 1960, the first roads were constructed, bisecting the narrow island into the beach side and sound side, making it difficult to traverse from one to the other. Nowadays, nearly all visitors to Nags Head arrive through the major highway, leaving the scenic and familial sound side arrival a distant memory.

MASTERPLAN
The master plan serves to revitalize the sound front, with miles of multi-use trails and numerous activities for all people of Nags Head. Scattered with housing, tourist attractions, shopping, restaurants and a new wetland center, the site is rich with things to do. The sprawling network of multi-use trails provides a more efficient and carbon-neutral way to experience Nags Head, whether on foot, boat, or bike. There are numerous overlooks along the trail that offer splendid views of the sound as well as places to fish, crab and bird watch.

FORM + ORGANIZATION
Inspired by the geometry and natural efficiencies of many local marine species, I was drawn to that of the sea star. The “appendages” of the building reach out into the marshscape. The building is organized by fish or whalebone inspired masses that contain and frame space and soundside views. From the parking area, visitors approach the building through the use of a ramped boardwalk, leading into the central open-air breezeway. To the left, one can enter the volume comprising the public restrooms, coastal recreation store and an outdoor sitting porch overlooking the inlet. Opposite the breezeway, one enters the main museum and learning space. Large fin-shaped light monitors bring bounced natural light deep into the building. Transparent staff research offices line the north edge of the galleries and encourage visitor-staff interaction through the glassy walls. Weather and other monitoring devices are located throughout the site as well to provide up to date information of tides, ecology, and atmospheric conditions while also allowing the public the chance to interact with staff and researchers to learn more about the coastal environment. On the other side of the gallery, the lobby and 2 flexible meeting rooms face the sound. The best views, however, are certainly offered from the cafe + lounge area. Fresh local food is served to visitors as they enjoy the cool summer breezes and activities along the sound. Outdoor lounging and expansive elevated boardwalks that sprawl out from the building allow numerous interactions with the marshscape as well as other visitors.