Botanical Research Institute of Texas

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) is an architecturally striking, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility located on 5.2 acres in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Celebrated for its sustainable design, BRIT has achieved LEED Platinum certification—an acknowledgment of its commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency. The building’s exterior features a precast concrete façade embellished with natural colors and patterns, enabling it to blend seamlessly with its surroundings while reflecting an eco-conscious design ethos.

A hallmark of BRIT’s sustainability is its living roof, a verdant expanse of native sedums and grasses from the Fort Worth Prairie. This rooftop garden not only offers natural insulation and minimizes stormwater runoff, but also provides critical habitat for local flora and fauna, enhancing biodiversity in the urban landscape.

The facility is thoughtfully divided into two interconnected sections: the Think Block and the Archive Block.

• The Think Block is a two-story structure built with precast concrete panels and large expanses of glass, designed to foster natural daylighting and passive energy use. Its north-facing windows flood the interior with light, while the smaller south-facing openings help reduce heat gain. The sloped roof is planted with regional vegetation, echoing the surrounding prairie ecosystem. Visitors are greeted in the main lobby by a dramatic grand staircase, a striking wall of reclaimed sinker cypress, and sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the restored native landscape outside.
• In contrast, the Archive Block is a solid, window-minimized structure designed to house BRIT’s invaluable collection of botanical specimens. The heart of this section is the Herbarium, a climate-controlled, two-story, 20,000-square-foot hall dedicated to preserving delicate plant samples. This block also includes a highly regarded botanical library. Its robust, thermally stable design ensures optimal conditions for archival storage, with precast concrete panels offering superior insulation and environmental control.

Through innovative design, rigorous conservation strategies, careful consideration of sustainable materials—including the extensive use of precast concrete—and a deep integration with its ecological context, the BRIT facility stands as a model of sustainable architecture and scientific purpose, serving both as a research hub and a symbol of environmental harmony.

 

AWARDS

• AIA Fort Worth, Excellence in Sustainable Development
• Society of American Registered Architects, National Design Award
• ENR Texas & Louisiana, Best Green Project
• Topping Out, Top Award

LOCATION
Fort Worth, TX

ARCHITECT
H3 | Corgan Associates, Inc.

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