Amidst the flats of the Gulf Coast lies High Island, a salt dome mound with a century-long legacy of oil extraction. Today, High Island has become an international haven for avian enthusiasts. Nature sanctuaries managed by the Houston Audubon Society (HAS) attract migratory birds, fostering a vibrant ecosystem where various species flourish.
In collaboration with HAS, SWA devised a comprehensive facilities master plan aimed at creating an unparalleled “destination experience” for the birdwatching community. At its core stands a breathtaking 700-foot-long Canopy Walk, a sinuous pathway weaving through the natural arboreal canopy. This feature guides visitors to man-made island overlooks, offering intimate glimpses of nesting egrets, spoonbills, and cormorants.
Throughout the design phase, the team maintained a commitment to habitat preservation and project longevity. The boardwalk minimizes disruption to the existing ecosystem, intricately threading through heritage oaks and towering trees while mimicking tree structures to blend in.
The redesigned pumphouse at the threshold of the boardwalk is now an open-air pavilion, welcoming guests and serving as a versatile venue for events. Resilient structural elements and durable materials ensure the project can withstand the harsh coastal environment.
Sands Bethworks
One of the most prominent examples of redirecting the environmental legacy of a post-industrial landscape can be traced to the south banks of the Lehigh Canal, in the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Comprising 1,800 acres (20 of which belong to this project) and 20 percent of Bethlehem’s total land mass is the former headquarters of Bethlehem Steel Corporatio...
Sims Bayou
The story of Sims Bayou is based on a large vision. The project is the first step in implementing a long-range plan for watershed greenbelts in the Houston region, a comprehensive system which addresses the potential for parks, wildlife habitat, and economic real estate revitalization while also controlling flooding. The Sims Bayou project has profoundly chang...
Shenzhen Bay
Situated just across the bay from Hong Kong, the city of Shenzhen has transformed from a small fishing town of 30,000 to a booming city of over 10 million people in 40 years – and has grown over 200 times its original size since 1980. Along the way, the character of Shenzhen’s bayfront was radically altered. Over 65 km2 of marsh and shallow bay were filled to ...
Long Beach Shoreline
SWA prepared a land use and urban design plan for six miles of waterfront adjacent to downtown Long Beach. Through a series of meetings with local community stakeholders, we were able to determine the different needs of each district in the plan: of critical importance was the need to preserve valuable open space inland, and to maintain an ecological corridor ...