Walterboro Discovery Center

Located between downtown Walterboro and the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary, the Walterboro Discovery Center transforms a former 1960s car dealership into a destination for environmental education, community programs and events. The adaptive reuse project includes approximately 7,000 SF of conditioned space, along with an outdoor learning lab, wood deck, garden lawn and amphitheater.

The screened learning lab serves as both an outdoor classroom and a covered entrance to the center. It expands opportunities for hands-on educational programming while creating a transition between the building and its natural surroundings.

Giving an Existing Building a New Civic Presence

Rather than undertaking costly changes to the existing exterior, the design team wrapped the front of the building with a new screening element. The feature extends the building’s street presence, creates a more prominent entrance and connects the mid-century structure with the traditional architecture of the courthouse across the street. It also increases the center’s usable area by providing covered outdoor space.

Using the Landscape to Support Outdoor Events

At the rear of the building, a wood deck establishes a direct visual connection to the amphitheater below. The site’s approximately 30-foot grade change allowed the amphitheater to fit naturally into the slope with minimal earthwork. Native grasses and shade trees help integrate the gathering space into the landscape.

A covered stage includes power, lighting and changing rooms to support performances, educational programs and community events. Together, the indoor and outdoor spaces create a flexible civic destination that strengthens the connection between downtown Walterboro and the wildlife sanctuary.