The Yuba Water Agency Board of Yuba County, Calif., has selected DLR Group for visioning and master planning services to develop a modern, sustainable, and interactive Water Education Center. The new facility will be part of the Yuba Watershed Experience, an initiative to educate local students and patrons about the impact of the Yuba River watershed on the environment, flooding, water supply, and more, and subsequently, the impact to the community.
DLR Group’s visioning and master planning process includes land-use planning, site feasibility study, and community engagement to build consensus for the project. The firm will utilize an online interactive tool and virtual reality experience to gather input and to help stakeholders understand the overall vision.
“DLR Group is collaborating with various community leaders, partners, and educational resources to create a vision to promote water education in Yuba County. Together, we will build the foundation for an experiential educational approach that allows learners of all ages to explore science, technology, engineering, art, math, environment, culture, and history through the study of water,” said DLR Group Principal Chris Brown.
The Yuba Water Agency Board also approved curriculum development for the new facility to occur during the summer of 2020. The Board will hire Yuba County teachers to create lessons and a water-based curriculum to be implemented in all five school districts in Yuba County. DLR Group will work closely with the team of educators to incorporate interactive exhibits and experiences throughout the facility that complement the curriculum being concurrently developed. In addition to serving as a learning environment, the multi-purpose facility is intended to be a destination for recreational opportunities and events such as leadership retreats, weddings, and other large gatherings.
About DLR Group
DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients; local communities; and our planet. DLR Group is 100 percent employee-owned and fully supports the initiatives and goals of the 2030 Challenge and is an initial signatory to the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.
