The Nature Conservancy's 56,000-acre Niobrara Valley Preserve is one of the largest conservancy preserves in the U.S. and a model for grassland management using bison, cattle, and fire. The project is designed to amplify the natural environment through sustainable methods and nuanced material choices. Sourced on-site from overgrowth, cedar siding is charred using an ancient Japanese technique to provide durability and resistance to insects. Cor-ten steel will oxidize providing an ever-changing dynamic facade.

Jury Comments: We loved this steel louver detail. It caught our eye, first, for its exterior texture. It is an honor worthy detail in its fabrication technic, in its portability, and its install. A detail that can sometimes result in a heavy-handed end product, this louver system maintains a lightness and elevates the visual experience from the interior.