Brock Environmental Center

Gropen was selected to create a full environmental graphics, signage, and wayfinding system for the Brock Environmental Center, a landmark facility aiming to be the first in Virginia to achieve both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certification. This off-the-grid, self-sustaining building presented unique challenges: every material had to meet strict environmental and durability standards, while the design needed to engage, inform, and inspire visitors about the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.

The project included interior and exterior interpretive signage, a custom entry portal, educational panels, dimensional building identification, ADA signage, and a dynamic donor recognition system. Reclaimed and recycled materials were central to the design—driftwood from the James River was transformed into sculptural light fixtures and exterior portals, and scrap glass was sandblasted and paint-filled to evoke natural sea glass for the donor wall. Interactive features like a chalkboard “Freedom of Speech” wall and a lobby wall illustrating the Bay’s watershed provide a hands-on learning experience for visitors.

This project illustrates how Gropen’s sustainable signage solutions can bring a building’s mission to life, creating an engaging, educational, and environmentally conscious experience for every visitor.