The certified LEED Platinum Whittingham Discovery Center is a new community gathering venue in the 31-acre Mill River Park in downtown Stamford. The building serves as a learning and development center for the park’s educational programs about integrating nature into the city. It provides a dramatic space for special events and supports the daily operations of the park.
Boasting all-electric mechanical systems, high performance glazing, and a rooftop solar array, the building will use 57.5% less energy compared to the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 baseline.
Envelope studies, energy modeling, and envelope commissioning allowed for optimized insulation, with locations of air and vapor barriers detailed to prevent thermal bridging and condensation. Large, glazed areas use high-performance glass, largely on north-facing façades, resulting in a very compact, tightly insulated volume.

The HVAC system is a combination of variable refrigerant volume (VRV) systems and air handling units with heat recovery, which provides thermal comfort and high indoor air quality. The VRV units simultaneously heat and cool as they adapt to the conditions of each space, significantly reducing operating costs.

The building’s photovoltaic system consists of 127 61kW panels mounted on its south-facing roof. Annual production is estimated to be approximately 64Mwh, equating to about 37% of the total annual site energy.

Its HVAC system has ASHRAE and CDC-recommended technologies that provide improved air quality and indoor environmental conditions. Spaces are designed to maintain 60% or lower relative humidity during the summer. Air handling and fan coil units use MERV-13 filters. Mechanical systems provide LEED-grade ventilation, as well as enhanced filtration and carbon dioxide monitoring. Ventilation design ensures proper air changes and minimum levels of outside air.

Recycled and natural materials were used extensively, including:
• Recycled glass countertops in the classrooms and café.
• FSC-certified ash millwork throughout the building.
• Linoleum flooring in the classrooms.
• Recycled carpet with carbon-neutral backing in the office.
• Decorative metal aluminum panels with recycled content.

New stormwater management infrastructure ties into existing infrastructure while remaining outside the project boundary and does not increase stormwater flows offsite. New storm drainage systems capture all surface runoff and direct it into underground storage.

Existing hardscape, structures, and trees were included in heat island calculations. All surfaces were optimized to minimize summer heat gain, including the gray roof, vegetated roof, and driveway paving. Surfaces that could be kept vegetated were not paved. Planting requires little to no irrigation, providing ecological value to the park.

Category:Green ArchitectureAward Year:2025Location: Stamford, Connecticut, USAArchitects:Centerbrook Architects and PlannersLandscape Architects:Stimson StudioGeneral Contractor:Montagno Construction, Inc.Design Team:Anna Shakun, Frank Giordano, Jim Childress, Jim Coan, Ken Cleveland, Mark Herter, Misha Semënov-Leiva, Sheryl Milardo, Peter Cornell and Jiaying BaClient: Mill River Park CollaborativePhotographers:Jeff Goldberg/Esto