The Weidt Group served as daylighting design consultants to RRTL Architects/SALA Architects for the 44,000 sq. ft. visitor center at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This work included collaboration on concept development for appropriate daylighting in the context of a new building linked to a classic Edwin Lundie [architect] building, and this new building was designed to reflect that tradition while creating a brighter, more open character. The Great Hall is designed to emulate the surrounding gardens, with ever-changing character and intensity of daylight, and daylight simulations were conducted to understand the dynamics and quality of the light.

Given the educational mission of the arboretum, the notion of “building as teacher” was seriously considered, and sunlight simulations were utilized to fashion a south-facing cupola that casts a dynamic sun pattern on the floor that marches through the space day-by-day as the sun’s angle changes.