Delaware Center for Horticulture
- Product: Ridgelight
- Location: Wilmington DE
- Architect: Bernardon Haber Holloway
- Contractor: SC & A Construction
- Specs:
- CSI Code: 08 63 00
About this Project
The Delaware Center for Horticulture has been around since 1977. Located in Wilmington’s Trolley Square District, the organization strives to cultivate a “greener community” by bringing people and plants together.
The DCH is dedicated to improving the community through the power of plants. Their “Branches to Chances” program helps individuals obtain employment by teaching plant identification, basic botany, garden equipment use, safety, and landscape techniques. The training leads to entry-level positions in horticulture.
The knowledge and skill that DCH provides have been applied to gardening and landscaping throughout New Castle County. In fact, the Delaware Center for Horticulture is credited with creating the first Urban Farm in Wilmington. The DCH helped create and support over 40 community gardens along with beautifying landscapes.
When it came time to update its building, the Delaware Center for Horticulture incorporated daylighting in a unique skylight combined with a canopy. From the outside, the canopy and surroundings are covered with plants of every type, causing the skylight to be somewhat hidden until you step inside. The skylight is 21′ long and 33′ across forming a large peaked atrium over the entry into the center. The DCH uses this unique space for special events and activities that support outreach and education for a greener Delaware.
The facility, in addition to teaching about plants, now hosts events like weddings and receptions. The surrounding gardens are free to the public and open year-round.