Rendering courtesy of Overland Partners Architects

Experience food and agriculture

Applecross Cafe is a farm-to-fork restaurant located on the Zion Discovery Center Campus (also known as Applecross Station). The project is surrounded by the food-bearing landscapes of the campus and supports local orchards and farms in the valley east of Zion National Park. The project is situated at the 'front' of the campus in that it is both the first and last building that visitors will pass as they make their way to and from the Visitor Center and EV shuttle services. An outdoor service counter for made-to-order picnic lunches sits at the west side of the building, connecting to the kitchen within. This simple innovation is complimented by a trellis that provides shade for visitors who are queuing during peak season, thereby alleviating congestion in the serving and dining area. 

The Cafe boasts the inclusion of an aquaponics system that features a fishpond and elevated planter beds for leafy greens. This circuit of water activates a dining room that sits within a greenhouse of sorts - expansive windows and skylights complete the effect. Shades protect the skylights at night in order to minimize heat loss in winter and to shield interior lighting fixtures in order to ensure compliance with the campus' Dark Sky requirements.