Located on the remote South Cape of the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, the Cape Eleuthera Foundation sponsors the Island School, a semester abroad high school program based on marine science studies and the Cape Eleuthera Institute, a deep-water aquaculture research institute. The facilities at the Island School and C.E.I. are all solar, wind and biodiesel powered and function as a unique demonstration of sustainable ground-up development on the Cape.

As the school and institute have matured over the last ten years, a need for housing visiting scientists and researchers apart from the students, interns and Island School faculty became evident. With a generous donation from C.E.I. supporter Bobbie Hallig in 2009, the Hallig Research Hall project became a reality.

W3 Architects was selected for the project based on our extensive experience with sustainable design and a previously designed project for a similar island environment. Hallig Hall will have six residential units, a caretaker’s quarters, meeting room, common kitchen, common lounge space and large flexible covered outdoor space. The building is oriented to utilize wind-driven ventilation strategies and maximize its relationship with both the C.E.I campus and the Atlantic Ocean. The Cape Eleuthera Foundation sees this building development as a model of sustainable design and green architecture and part of their enduring commitment to the future of the South Cape of Eleuthera.

The Council of International Education Exchange (C.I.E.E.) Research Station in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, is a marine sciences research facility that hosts semester abroad exchange students from colleges in the United States and Europe. The Bonaire Station is run by resident director Dr. Rita Peady and Instructor Karen Eckrich.

W3 Architects was invited to work with the C.I.E.E. and a special opportunity was created by Wagner to involve a select group of Woodbury University architecture students to participate in a semester-long studio for the design of a new administrative and laboratory building. The C.I.E.E. envisions this building development as a model of sustainable design and as an important part of their commitment to an undisturbed local marine environment. Collaborating with W3 Architects, the Woodbury students created a researched, detailed design development presentation. The entire team was invited by the C.I.E.E. to present the project on-island in Bonaire. The team was also invited to make a private presentation of the project to the Island Council and the Lieutenant Governor of Bonaire, who have expressed interest in sustainable development on the island.