Potomac Science Center

With water and its intersection with human and natural ecosystems as a unifying theme, a primary focus of the PSC site design is the “Water Story” — details as educational storytelling features, showcasing the site’s environmental goals. Each roof drain for the building is intended to connect to a specific “Water Story” feature, where visitors can follow the path of rainwater. At the building’s entrance, a weir and scupper water feature directs runoff from the roof into a rain garden, where it begins its journey of purification. The rainwater flows through a series of bioretention plant pits, infiltration swales, and other stormwater management elements until it reaches its final outlet — either the river or a 5,000-gallon rainwater harvesting cistern to be used for irrigation on-site. Additional educational features include a green living wall, native plantings, a rain chain, and permeable pavers. All the “Water Story” elements were designed to be used as teaching tools for testing water quality, inviting researchers and members of the public to interact with the site.

Selected for its ability to provide direct access to the river, the Potomac Science Center’s location on the Occoquan River is essential to the education, research, and public outreach that occur at the facility. With 15 feet between the upper level research facility and lower river level research dock and plaza, the design team was tasked with sensitively integrating the building into the site while maintaining ADA access to the river. To address this challenge, a wooden boardwalk was installed over the riparian buffer, providing an accessible route over the significant grade change while minimizing land disturbance.