Midwest Center for Wind Energy

Lincoln County, Minnesota

The Midwest Center for Wind Energy is an educational center designed to serve a variety of visitors including school and civic groups, potential investors, and conference and retreat groups. Inspriation for design came mostly from elements of the physical and cultural site. The curvilinear forms of the roof allude to the surrounding rolling landscape as well as the effects of the wind on the tall grass prairie. The four building elements of the Center align along a central stone wall made of locally collected stone, which is similar to the stone walls forming the perimeter of agricultural fields of the region. The building elements are also organized around an exterior gathering space highlighted by sculpture.