Transforming an Old Bunkhouse into an Organized Learning Center

Since 1992, Yampatika has been inspiring environmental stewardship through learning opportunities that serve children and adults of Northwest Colorado through summer camps, school field trips, service learning, and Naturalist-led tours.

When Gerber Berend was approached by Yampatika to help transform the historic bunk house at Legacy Ranch into a highly functioning and inspirational place for environmental learning, we jumped at the chance. We frequently donate and partner with organizations where we can give back to the community that is dear to our hearts.

Together with the organizational and educational leaders of Yampatika, and many generous donors and trade partners, we came up with a plan to design and build colorful and playful built-in furniture and organizational pieces. Utilizing birch veneer plywood panels and custom semi-transparent stains, the finished pieces provide display and storage for maps, hands-on plant and animal samples, outdoor equipment, and miscellaneous educational materials of all shapes and sizes. While some pieces provided easy-to-access storage space, others created critical workspaces for staff, campers and equipment.

Yampatika’s Board Members and staff were truly a joy to create with and the finished interior design provides a playful, warm and intimate space from which to inspire inquisitive visitors of all ages. We are truly grateful for the enrichment Yampatika brings to our community and the opportunity for our designers and craftsmen to support their efforts.