The Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park describes the unique and fragile island ecosystem off the coast of Lake Erie, Pennsylvania.

Clanton & Associates designed an integrated architectural and exhibit lighting system that provided an appropriate amount of light with a minimum electric load. Ambient lighting is automatically turned off when there is abundant daylight or when the exhibits are unoccupied to further reduce the energy consumption. The dynamic lighting design is entwined with material selections and displays throughout the facility. Reflected light is used to backlight transparency images printed on clear acrylic panels and active, color-changing lighting simulates sunrise, sunset, and the change of light throughout the day with translucent fiberglass panels.

The Environmental Center demonstrates how energy efficiency can be brought to a traditionally high energy use project type and is expected to receive a LEED Silver rating from the US Green Building Council.