A site for education and inspiration nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The brand new, five-story Apodaca Science Building at Western Carolina University boasts not only state-of-the-art science labs and classrooms, but includes a fabulously designed green rooftop terrace supporting trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, and grasses native to Western North Carolina. The building's design team followed sustainable design strategies and a philosophy of "putting Science on Display", drawing inspiration directly from the unique history, culture and climate of the mountainous Western North Carolina region and its indigenous peoples. The roof was a complete custom build from drainage layers to pavers to landscaping topography, and now serves as a classroom, meeting space, and oasis for students, staff and wildlife with an incredible view of the surrounding mountains.