As part of the firm’s philanthropic efforts, NBBJ is providing ongoing pro-bono design work to renovate the Bird House, a wildlife conservation center operated by The Nature Conservancy in Shanghai.

The Dongtan Natural Nature Reserve, a wetland preserve located adjacent to Shanghai on Chongming Island, hosts as many as 10 million migratory birds each year, including 19 percent of the world’s endangered species of water birds. Within this natural paradise, the Bird House visitor center and wildlife viewing platform promotes awareness of the delicate habitat.

Although recently constructed, the Bird House required significant remediation to seal the building against humidity; provide adequate ventilation, plumbing and off-grid electricity; and implement solar shading. NBBJ is helping to resolve these issues while maintaining not only the design quality of the interior spaces, but also a construction schedule that will have a minimal impact on bird migration patterns.

NBBJ continues to make ongoing improvements to the Bird House, including the design of new signage and wayfinding, in addition to organizing a variety of volunteer days, educational visits and clean-up events.