A sense of place

"Oh, it's perfect." 

That's what I said when we pulled up to the Grand Teton Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming.

Having just driven through an alpine valley presided over by the most starkly beautiful mountains I had ever seen, the Teton Range, I was not expecting to be wowed by a building. But, I was.

The Teton Range, Photo by Jairph 

The visitor center, designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, fits. With its jagged, upturned roofline and tall asymmetrical windows, it's right for this dramatic landscape. And, it's perfectly suited to its purpose, introducing us to the wonders of the Teton Mountains. 

Craig Thomas visitor center in Grand Teton National Park at Moose, Wyoming, USA, Photo by Acroterion

How do we capture the sense of a place in design - be it architecture or interior design?

We must forget for a moment about materials, plans, and even people. We must absorb the essence of the place. Then, we must work to give form to that essence.

(More photos, sketches, and plans here: https://www.bcj.com/projects/grand-teton-discovery-and-visitor-center)