The center is built around existing concrete crater

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You have arrived at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center owned by the National Audubon Society. Nowhere in North Texas can one find a greater variety of rare species than in Dogwood Canyon. 

Tegrus Construction Co., Inc. was awarded the contract for the project which includes a 6,000 sf nature education center located in the 270-acre conservation area.

The two million Center was built under the LEED guidelines and called for a completion schedule of 12 months.  The major challenge was converting an old satellite station into a nature center while saving, protecting and preserving the existing tree canopy.

The foundation is an elevated floor system consisting of concrete drilled piers supporting structural steel beams, bar joist, metal deck and concrete reinforced floor slab. The superstructure is wood frame clad with accoya wood siding and the roof is a standing seam metal supported by pin connected wood trusses and a plywood deck.

Many design elements make this development unique. The nature watching area penetrates into the trees and overlooks the existing creek. Sloping glass on three sides for better viewing surrounds this area.

The building also cantilevers over an existing concrete lined crater that once housed a satellite tracking station and a second nature watching area consisting of a wood deck platform is built at the bottom of the crater.

The site development consists of many recycled materials such as crushed concrete base for the drive areas; recycled concrete for the wheel stops and trail edgings and recycled pipe for the light poles and bollards. The landscaping consists of native grasses and trees and the permanent project sign was constructed utilizing the existing steel pipe cattle guards.

David Thomas, president of Tegrus Construction, stated this project was an enlightening and educational project for all involved.

The project team included Tegrus Project Manager Bill Smith and Superintendent Royce Weaver.  Architect was Tom Dohearty of Cunningham Architects and owner’s representative was Dan Finnell of Brent Brown Architects.

Tegrus Construction Co., based in Cedar Hill specializes in commercial and industrial projects and has 12 employees.  David R. Thomas founded the company in 1987. Tegrus is in its 25th year of building quality projects throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. –bd

©2011 Construction News, Ltd.