ARCHITECTURE | HONOR 

Entry Name: River Probes
Firm: RBA
Owner: University of Nebraska-Omaha
Photographer: Assassi

Nebraska gets its name from the archaic Otoe words Ñí Brásge, meaning "flat water” which describes the rivers that flow through the state.

The Elkhorn River Probe is the first station to be constructed to allow scientists to work on the rivers in a controlled environment to conduct long term ecological monitoring of the river water.  The probes will also serve as public observation platforms both to view the rivers natural beauty and to learn about the toxicology and pollution issues facing the rivers today.   The holding tanks and experiments will be on display inside the probes with computer touch screens to educate the visitors about the experiments.

River Probes is an important project for the future of the state and the ability to produce effective social systems and research data to influence individuals’ behavioral change for sustainable management of Nebraska’s rivers.

Jury Comments: This project is like a small jewel. The form looks like a bird on the bank of the river, dipping its bill in the water to drink. The sculpture in the river and in this beautiful landscape creates an intriguing shape – like a bird. The project conveys a notion of tasting/sampling, trying to be more than just a box to collect water and samples. Integrating solar panels. Budget is impressive.