Grinnell College’s Conard Environmental Research Area (CERA) Education Center was designed to support the study of Native Plants and Animal Habitats, as well as provide additional space for storing field equipment.

Programmatic elements include a greenhouse, large classroom, teaching laboratory, and support spaces for classes in field biology and environmental sciences. The project met Grinnell’s goal of a facility that is available to the public and institution for classes within and outside the sciences, including art, anthropology, hiking, bird watching, photography, painting, and drawing.

Sustainable design was inherent to the goals of the College and Holabird & Root project team. With several sustainable design elements, the building became the first in the State of Iowa to achieve LEED Gold Certification.