University of North Carolina - Coastal Studies Institute, Research institute at Roanoke Island, North Carolina
The Coastal Studies Institute is a research facility on Roanoke Island in North Carolina that focuses on marine archaeology, coastal processes, and estuarine ecology. The building houses specialized laboratories, classrooms, and a marine service center designed for conducting field-based and indoor scientific research.
The institute was established in 2003 through a partnership between East Carolina University, other universities in the UNC system, and Dare County. This collaboration made it possible to create a specialized research facility focused on coastal and estuarine studies in the region.
The Science on the Sound lecture series brings researchers and local community members together to discuss coastal issues that shape North Carolina's waterfront regions. These gatherings demonstrate how the institute serves as a bridge between scientific work and public understanding of coastal life.
The facility sits along the Croatan Sound with direct access to water-based environments for research activities. Keep in mind that visiting may be limited to scheduled tours and public events since it functions as an active research workplace.
The building was designed with elevated foundations that allow the natural landscape to flow beneath it while drawing on geothermal energy from local well water. This design approach shows how research facilities can minimize their environmental footprint.
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