Lisa Hutchings is like a new mom, filled with joy that’s just bursting out at the seams. You can’t help but be inspired by her infectious enthusiasm and terrific smile. What is she so jazzed about you might ask? Well, The Lookout of course! The Lookout is Joppa Flats’ newest addition, a family friendly, ecologically built classroom. It’s grand opening to the public is Sunday, but have you ever know a construction project to finish on time? We stopped by for a preview this morning, keep reading for a for a look at our tour!
We arrived in time to see the installation of the lights. Amazing bird like compact fluorescents that were specially picked by the architect for their ability to diffuse the sunlight streaming in through The Lookout’s wide bank of windows. The windows will be seeing quite a bit of sunshine too. The Lookout was specially designed as a green addition to Joppa Flats. The roof line was repositioned and angled to take effect of “natural daylighting”. The angle of the room and positioning of the windows was done so that in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky the windows take full advantage. This will allow the room to be more readily heated and lit by natural sunlight. Conversely, in the summer when the sun is higher in the sky, there are special overhangs outside on the roof line that block some of the sunlisght. So that in the warmer months (do we have those in New England?) the room will not heat up. Lisa described the energy savings as “substantial”.
The room’s colors are a dramatic yellow called “sunflower” and a soft “Birds Egg Blue”. The combination was chosen intentionally to mimic the nature that the the room over looks. The yellow is not only for the sun, but also a yellow seen outside the windows and reflected in the wildflowers growing across the Summer landscape, as well as in the trees in Autumn.
The Lookout was designed to be a model for environmental stewardship and a continuation of the green practices that Joppa embraces already. The counters in The Lookout are made of recycled paper, the tiles behind them (not yet up on our visit) are made of recycled glass from light bulbs and car windshields. The large beams lining the dormers look like a forest had to be stripped to supply them. In reality, they are a wood pulp composite that is covered with sheaths of wood made from sustainable forest certified trees. This is true of all the wood in The Lookout. Joppa purposely worked with suppliers that provided wood from sources that were renewing and replanting as they cut.
Lisa was still beaming as she described plans for the space. All of Joppa’s family and youth programs will be held in the room, and they hope to have it staffed for “drop in exploration” by summer. There will be a large saltwater aquarium installed and it will be Newburyport’s own “touch tank” filled with local marine biology. “The possibilities are limitless” Lisa said as she motioned with her hand in a sweeping motion, “I’d love to see us pursue an aquatic water project like raising oyster or clams”"
Though the space was still in flux when we saw it, we are assured that it will be ready for it’s debut on Sunday. The staff and volunteers are hoping that you’ll enjoy coming by and looking out among the vast beauty that surrounds them. That’s why it was named “The Lookout” – staff and volunteers voted and the name beat out “The Tree House” as well as “The Crows Nest”.
We hope you get over to Joppa Flats soon.
Learn more about Joppa Flats’ Green Practices
