Architecture / Exhibits / Immersive Environments

Pleasure Island Nature & Visitor Center

Port Arthur, Texas2026 · Design development

Rendering of a visitor-center bridge through wetland planting beneath a willow tree. — Design visualization: a shaded arrival through the landscape.

Aerial visualization of the visitor center and coastal landscape. — The center as a starting point for exploring Pleasure Island.

Design rendering of a pedestrian bridge connecting the wetland landscape and buildings. — Architecture and landscape form a continuous visitor route.

Rendering of an interior gallery organized around a cylindrical jellyfish display. — Design visualization: the exhibit program helps organize the architecture.

A rendered nature-center lobby features suspended birds and a curved illuminated column. — Design-development rendering: arrival at the nature center.

Rendered nature displays line a bright gallery overlooking planting outside. — Design-development rendering: habitat displays connect the interior to the landscape.

A curved underwater media wall faces visitors in a darkened rendered gallery. — Design-development rendering: an immersive underwater media environment.

A gateway to the ecology, culture, and recreation of the Gulf Coast. Low-scaled buildings, shaded gathering spaces, landscape, and exhibits are conceived as a connected visitor experience.

My contribution

I helped shape the winning competition approach and lead the project through design development, working with the client and a multidisciplinary team across architecture, interiors, exhibits, landscape, and visitor experience.

How can a visitor center become a gateway to an entire island?

A building that opens into the landscape

Porches, bridges, trellises, and native planting connect approachable building forms. The café and outdoor rooms support gathering, while paths lead visitors back toward the island.

Ecology becomes experience

Wetlands, coastal habitats, waterways, migration routes, and recreation inform the interpretive approach. The center introduces connected systems that visitors can encounter firsthand outside.

Exhibits shape the building

A central jellyfish gallery, touch tank, interactive mapping, and immersive media are being coordinated with structure, lighting, technology, and building systems as the design develops.

Collaboration & credits

Practice: PBK / Ether Design Lab.
Landscape sketch: Clark Condon.

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