The Franklin County Extension building has been sited to minimize disturbance to the surrounding research fields and to align with adjacent agricultural structures. The ground has been lifted, rather than displaced by the building, to create an elevated green roof that camouflages the building from an aerial view, allowing it to blend into the surrounding crop and garden plots.

Waterman is situated in a recharge zone of the Olentangy River Watershed, a major tributary of
the Scioto River. The green roof slopes simulate the antral water flow by draining all rainwater via a
large scupper into a rain garden below. The rain garden is designed to accommodate a 100-year
floor event and is used as a learning tool in sustainable practices for students and community members.

Waterman, home to many functions of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, encompasses 260 acres on The Ohio State University main campus. Located just 5 miles outside of Downtown Columbus, this site is unprecedented in comparison to other large urban campuses. The open land is a stark contrast to the growing urban density surrounding it. Celebrating the natural landscape and diverse uses of the agricultural land will help preserve it for future generations and minimize the risk for development creep. The Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension, the first facility completed as part of the CFAES Master Plan acts as the threshold to the coveted Waterman site, bridging between the community and the University, consistent with its Land Grant mission.

While the focus on practical agriculture remains central to the Franklin County Extension mission, the main emphasis of this new facility is to fulfill the needs of the youth and adults it serves. Each space in the building serves a purpose that focuses on a “learn by doing” mentality. In addition to gardening and cooking, the youth learn valuable lessons in leadership, communication, mathematics, accounting, science, and technology. Large overhead doors allow community spaces to be utilized in multiple ways. The Lobby can become an overflow space for a large lecture in the Multipurpose Room or be closed off for a more formal event.