VHB is supporting the National Park Service (NPS) in its effort to restore and rehabilitate the historic Cape Hatteras Light Station in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Partnering with Quinn Evans Architects, VHB provided a future-ready vision for the lighthouse site that addresses community and environmental needs.
To address the site’s extensive degradation issues, VHB landscape architects proposed a new pedestrian loop that incorporates more connection points for visitors to reach the site’s attractions. The pathways will be filled with native vegetation that encourages visitors to stay on the paths and promotes site resiliency. VHB’s design also includes relocating the historic Light Keeper’s Stones, which are former granite bases of the Lighthouse from its original site. The stones will be arranged along a memorial walkway to honor former Lighthouse Keepers and offer informal shaded seating provided by the existing maritime forest canopy.
The design of the restoration highlights this site’s potential to educate future generations and endure increased visitation and heavy storms. In addition to the landscape improvements, the NPS, Quinn Evans, and contractor Stone & Lime Historic Restoration Services are striving to selectively reverse modern treatments, repair deteriorated materials and finishes, and preserve the lighthouse's character-defining features.
