Aiken Audubon Research Outpost | 2025

Situated in southeastern Colorado, Chico Basin Ranch spans 80,000 acres, straddling the boundaries of El Paso and Pueblo Counties near Hanover, Colorado. Owned and leased by the Colorado State Land Board, the ranch’s prairies are interspersed with ponds, nestled within cottonwood and willow bosques, making it an ideal haven for birds migrating along the Front Range during their seasonal journeys. Operated by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, the ranch’s Bird Banding Station is situated on the property for ten weeks each year, spanning the fall and spring seasons. During these five-week periods, the Bird Conservancy not only conducts bird banding operations but also hosts educational sessions for school groups. Additionally, it welcomes birders to engage in birding activities and contribute to the collection and banding process as volunteers.

Since its inception in 1999, the Bird Conservancy’s existing operational setup, comprising a weathered shed, collapsible rain canopy, plastic table, and log-topped water drums serving as benches, exhibited signs of deterioration and no longer met the operational requirements of the banding teams. Recognizing this need, the Land Board collaborated with [name redacted], providing an opportunity for the development of a new design and structure. The Chico Basin Ranch Bird Banding Station was conceived as both an outdoor classroom and a specialized research platform dedicated to migratory bird observation. In addition to an open-air space conducive to learning and research, the facility is equipped with storage facilities for materials and equipment, as well as bunk rooms for overnight stays on site.

The primary material and structural element of the project is cross-laminated timber (CLT), which is composed of Colorado Engelmann spruce. The timber for the CLT milling process was sourced directly from Colorado forests, utilizing timber cut for sustainable forest management practices. These practices encompass selective logging and thinning for wildfire mitigation, pest and disease management, and reforestation. Cordwood screen walls at the eastern and western ends of the building provide an experience for users that fills the space with dappled sunlight, reminiscent of that observed in the surrounding tree groves. Additionally, they protect against the elements, help prevent bird strikes by disrupting reflective glare at window openings, and maintain a connection to the surrounding outdoors. The cordwood used to fill the screen frames is a consequence of sustainable forest management practices, similar to those employed in the CLT. The gabled-roof form of the building draws inspiration from the architecture prevalent in the American West, with weathering steel cladding serving as a barrier between external and internal conditions.