The Honeybee Discovery Center, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing public understanding of honeybees and their environmental significance, envisions a dynamic and educational hub in Orland, California—the Queen Bee Capital of North America. This innovative center will serve as a vital resource for the community, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship in the local agricultural context.
The center will feature a range of dedicated exhibits highlighting honeybees’ interconnectedness and sustainability. From traditional displays and artifacts to interactive play areas, immersive multimedia experiences, and high-tech augmented reality interfaces, visitors will engage with the rich and urgent topic of honeybee conservation. A cylindrical theater will provide an immersive 360-degree cinematic experience, introducing audiences to the fascinating world of honeybees and their critical role in food production.
A significant observation hive will allow visitors to observe bees in action, while an interactive exhibit gallery will guide them through the pollination cycle and its impact on food systems. The multifunctional classroom will host lectures, hands-on labs, culinary classes, and honey-tasting events, encouraging sustainable practices and fostering a deeper environmental connection. The Main Hall will facilitate informal gatherings, community events, temporary exhibits, and private functions, further enhancing community engagement.
The outdoor landscape will feature a variety of gardens and plazas, including a butterfly garden filled with pollinator-friendly plants visible from inside the gallery. Above the main entrance, a rooftop pollinator garden with colorful flowering plants will attract bees and provide visitors with a safe view of their important work. The south arrival plaza will function as an event space, seamlessly integrating into a shaded park for smaller gatherings and moments of reflection.
The design of the Honeybee Discovery Center draws inspiration from bee ingenuity and the “prairie cathedrals” of regional farm buildings. This sustainable structure will house the center and embody its principles. A rooftop garden and a large solar array will create a doubly photosynthetic roof, harnessing solar energy while providing shade for interior comfort. Furthermore, the main hall will utilize passive ventilation inspired by honeybee hives, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical systems to regulate temperature and air circulation.
As a result, the Honeybee Discovery Center aims to achieve net-zero energy, LEED Platinum certification, and Living Building Challenge certification. This innovative facility will be a center for education and engagement and one of the world’s smartest buildings, dedicated to conserving honeybees and sustainable practices that benefit our ecosystem.