Evanesce

Perched up on a mountainside overlooking Taku Glacier, Evanesce acts as a research and learning center for the effects of climate change on one of the deepest tide-water glaciers on earth. The name reflects the fading nature of the glacier as it recedes due to rising temperatures.

Drawing inspiration from the local architectural vernacular, the building evokes the feeling of a warm resting place set into the mountainside. The stone walls help the structure blend into the landscape while the cantilevered observatory stands out. The form is designed to reflect its different functions inside: observatory, bedrooms, living quarters, laboratory, and auditorium. Further, the observatory’s wood clad façade is reminiscent of a log cabin, a pure and humble form of architecture, displaying Evanesces own humility toward the at risk environment.

Evanesce will primarily function as a research center for scientists but will also welcome up to 30 visitors a day from nearby Juneau who can come learn about the effects of climate change on Taku Glacier. The visitors can visit for three hours a day and can enjoy the observatory and flanking terrace, as well as attend a lecture by one of the researchers in the auditorium.