Saiki Design has a long history of working with Olbrich Botanical Gardens from the original master plan to subsequent long range development plans, a master plan update, and design of numerous individual garden spaces. The relationship has spanned nearly thirty years and has resulted in a number of award-winning projects.
Saiki Design worked most recently with architects at MSR Design on the Frautschi Family Learning Center, an addition to the established garden and visitor center that holds the first dedicated education and outreach space intended to serve and accommodate a wider range of visitors and educators. The project also includes new production greenhouses, increasing greenhouse space and incorporating better energy efficiency. Many other sustainable features were integrated into the site design, including increased stormwater management capacity and rainwater harvesting.
Saiki Design was responsible for site planning and design for the education center and greenhouse expansion projects, working to manipulate pedestrian and vehicular circulation around the additions and creating welcoming, intuitive wayfinding to the education center.
The project was awarded LEED Platinum Certification and earned Olbrich and the City of Madison a USGBC Leadership Award for the West North Central Region.
