Woodlands Stewardship Education Center Earns AIA Virginia Award of Merit

The Woodlands Stewardship Education Center has received a 2025 AIA Virginia Award of Merit in the Architecture category as part of the organization’s annual Design Awards program.

Selected from a field of 125 entries, the project was among just 24 recognized for design excellence. AIA Virginia’s Design Awards celebrate projects that make meaningful contributions to the built environment through thoughtful, engaging design while addressing sustainability, innovation, performance, social impact, and stewardship of the natural environment.

Located within Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly, Virginia, the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center introduces visitors to Fairfax County’s natural and cultural resources while fostering a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape. Designed to blend seamlessly into the existing woodland setting, the facility features indoor and outdoor learning, exhibition, and gathering spaces that encourage exploration, education, and environmental stewardship.

Guided by the rigorous standards of the Living Building Challenge, the Center serves as a model for sustainable design, showcasing environmentally responsible materials, energy systems, and operational strategies that inspire visitors to apply similar principles in their own lives.

Congratulations to Quinn Evans, the Fairfax County Park Authority, and the entire project team on this recognition for architectural excellence.