Ecosystem Science

Ed Wilson, Our Naturalist and Half-Earth Hero

 |  A man to whom Terrapin owes much of our passion and focus passed away last month. Edward O. Wilson made multiple contributions to science and society. His focus on ants and their behaviors led to a sometimes controversial exploration of innate vs learned behavior in other species—sociobiology, a field in which he was a pioneer. […] — Read More

Capitol Crossing EcoChimneys

 |  The eco-chimneys are part of the Capitol Crossing eco-district, a bold urban infill project that spans more than three blocks and captures the air rights above an existing stretch of interstate I-395 in downtown Washington, DC. Project developers the Property Group Partners (formerly Louis-Dreyfus Property Group) sought Terrapin’s unique perspective to provide the sustainability strategies […] — Read More

The Journey of Sustainability

 |  The green building movement and arguably the larger discussion about sustainability have progressed in scope and understanding over the last three decades. Terrapin staff have been at the heart of this journey. In retrospect, this progression can be understood as three distinct levels of sustainability, each with their own focus, and with direct and indirect benefits […] — Read More

Factory as a Forest

 |  Inspired by Interface’s pioneering CEO Ray Anderson, who asked whether his factories could ever perform like a forest, “Factory as a Forest” is an ambitious project aimed at redesigning a manufacturing facility to function similarly to the local forest ecosystem. Terrapin, together with Biomimicry 3.8, co-developed a rigorous framework with specific performance targets and strategies […] — Read More

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Blue Economy Framework 

 |  Working with the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Terrapin used Phoebe (Framework for the Built Ecological Environment) to help develop their pilot Blue Economy Framework. The Blue Economy Framework is a strategic plan for coordinating the major stakeholders of watershed hydrology (industry, agriculture, municipal supply and wastewater, etc) around the goal of protecting water resources. — Read More

The Value of Ecological Design

 |  Our Ecological Design Framework (referred to simply as “Phoebe”) focuses on the most impactful project opportunities that will result in positive change on-site and far beyond the project property line. Reframing traditional green building metrics and transforming them into bold built ecological goals provides a structured but open forum for teams to achieve meaningful ecological change. — Read More

Ecosystems Services At Work

 |  “When the rain departs, the mosses’ sponginess retains water, then slowly releases it. Forests therefore nurture life downstream from themselves, shielding rivers from sudden muddy surges and sustaining flows during dry spells. Evaporation from the wet forest creates clouds of humidity and, if the forest is large enough, generates its own rain. We usually take […] — Read More

Cacique Resort

 |  Big-picture performance strategies for Cacique, a 686 acre site in Costa Rica slated to become a world class destination for eco-resorts and residences. — Read More