39. B
C
CJ
B.2
R4
'-5
11
/1
6"
R7'-10"
Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly
House
Christner designed this new
butterfly house and education
center for a sunny meadow in
St.LouisCounty’sFaustPark.
The light-filled steel structure
is clad with clear, laminated
insulating glass. The curved
roof minimizes the chance of
butterflies getting caught in
corners; clear netting keeps
the butterflies away from the
glass. Tropical flowering
plants provide essential
elements of suitable habitats
for the butterflies, which are
on display year-round. The
building systems create the
warm, high-humidity environ-
ment required by the butter-
flies. Two different power
sources, plus an emergency
generator, ensure continuous
climate control. The Missouri
Botanical Garden now owns
and operates the Butterfly
House, a 1998 design award
winner from the AIA St. Louis.