Shortly after our firm was established in 2013, Franklin Architects approached WMWA to partner in the design of the new Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute (TNACI) headquarters. Our initial investigation of the site quickly identified the need for sustainable stormwater management and habitat restoration principles that reflected the endemic characteristics of the adjacent Tennessee River. Through thoughtful exploration and open collaboration, TNACI offers a regional precedent that showcases novel design approaches to clients, developers, designers, and regulatory authorities.
From the outset of our involvement with TNACI, we set a design benchmark to replace all grey stormwater infrastructure with more sustainable “green” methods. As the design progressed, this initial goal formalized into a conceptual philosophy that drove aesthetic inspiration and suggested programmatic possibilities. In developing that concept, one major tool established during the design process was an extensive native plant palette derived from two regional vascular flora surveys. With over 80 species of native plants, the landscape surrounding TNACI artfully integrates native materials with green stormwater infrastructure systems that capture 100% of the stormwater that falls on site. To measure the efficacy of the design, quantifiable metrics for monitoring and evaluating building and site performance were established. The landscape design at TNACI is the result of a rigorous process that elevates the role of thoughtful stormwater management and celebrates the regional beauty and ecological heritage of the Tennessee River Valley.