Nix Farm Natural Areas Office Facility

Blending sustainability, stewardship, and thoughtful design within a treasured natural landscape.

Located within the historic Nix Farm Natural Area, this two-story, 4,125-square-foot office building serves as the home of the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. Designed to reflect the department’s mission of environmental stewardship, conservation, and community engagement, the facility integrates advanced sustainable technologies with architectural elements inspired by its natural surroundings.

The building was designed to achieve LEED Gold certification and incorporates a wide range of energy-efficient and renewable energy features. Sustainable systems include 90 rooftop solar panels, solar tubes that introduce natural daylight deep into interior spaces, six 400-foot geothermal wells, and high-efficiency heat pump technology. Together, these systems significantly reduce energy consumption while demonstrating the City’s commitment to responsible environmental practices.

The architecture carefully responds to its setting within the natural area. Exterior features include a welcoming pergola with a flagstone floor, natural stone-clad columns, beetle-kill wood sunshades, and a boulder retaining wall that reflects the character of the surrounding landscape. These elements create a seamless connection between the building and its environment while reinforcing the project’s focus on sustainability and natural resource stewardship.

Inside, the facility provides a variety of functional and flexible workspaces designed to support departmental operations and collaboration. The building includes offices, a conference room with movable flex-wall partitions, unisex restrooms, an information technology room, artist studio space, a break area, copy room, and utility areas. Abundant natural light throughout the interior enhances occupant comfort and productivity while reducing reliance on artificial lighting.

The result is a highly sustainable workplace that supports the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department’s growing needs while serving as a model for environmentally responsible design and construction. By combining innovative building systems with a deep respect for its natural setting, the facility embodies the values of conservation, education, and stewardship that define the Natural Areas program.