Rooted in History, Growing for the Future

Designing the next chapter of a Buffalo icon

Wendel is proud to lead the expansion of the historic Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, an architectural and horticultural treasure originally envisioned by Frederick Law Olmsted and built by the renowned Lord & Burnham. The original conservatory was designed with a plant-first philosophy, and that legacy continues to guide how new elements are introduced.

This expansion will allow the Botanical Gardens to grow in mission and experience. The new edition addition introduces a new visitor entrance, educational classrooms, private event spaces, gift shop, other much needed visitor amenities, and 90,000 square feet of renovated outdoor gardens designed to meet contemporary needs while preserving the integrity of the historic glasshouse.

Shaped through Immersion™

From the beginning, the project was guided by Wendel’s Immersion™ process, an in-person, collaborative workshop that brings together clients, designers, estimators, and contractors to define scope, goals, and operational needs. This process helps identify risks and refine expectations early, leading to smarter decisions and smoother project delivery.

Our team held a pre-Immersion™ session on site, walking the conservatory, meeting with the Botanical Gardens team and stakeholders, and discussing project priorities in real time. Being physically present in the space allowed the team to consider design opportunities within the building’s existing rhythm, visitor flow, and seasonal patterns. That session set the tone for a design process grounded in insight and shared vision. This allowed us to begin the Immersion™ meetings with clearly defined expectations and a deeper understanding of the site.

A design focused on people and experience

The addition will focus on creating spaces for people to gather, learn, celebrate, and connect. The new space is deliberately contemporary, yet respectful of its setting. Scale, massing, and materials are carefully considered to complement the existing glasshouse without overshadowing it. Circulation patterns, access points, and adjacencies are designed with operational flow and visitor comfort.

Sustainability at the core

Sustainability is a central pillar of the design approach. While LEED Silver certification is a project requirement, the team aims higher. The design incorporates daylight harvesting, passive and active solar strategies, rooftop solar panels, natural ventilation, and ground-source heat pumps. Earth sheltering, earth ducts, and optimized building envelope performance further reduce the building’s overall energy demand and enhance seasonal comfort.

Stormwater and gray water reclamation systems, paired with high-efficiency low-flow fixtures, help minimize water use across the site. Material strategies focus on reusing demolition materials, regional sourcing, and the selection of products with low embodied carbon. Energy-efficient technologies are integrated throughout the addition to reduce operational impacts, while thoughtful design also addresses long-term resilience, maintenance, and indoor environmental quality.

These efforts, combined with accessibility-focused improvements, including an accessible entrance and expanded visitor amenities, ensure the expansion reflects the Gardens’ environmental mission, serves the whole community, and supports sustainable growth for future generations.

Looking ahead

This expansion marks a new chapter in the life of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. It is an evolution that adds capacity, welcomes new audiences, and extends the organization’s reach while remaining rooted in the values that have shaped it for over a century. With thoughtful planning, deep collaboration, and a clear commitment to people and place, the Botanical Gardens are poised to grow in new and meaningful ways.