Nestled within the lush landscape of Wellfield Botanic Gardens, the new Visitor Center was designed to support a wide variety of events while maintaining a constant visual connection to the surrounding gardens. Created by Arkos Design, the space uses frameless glass walls as flexible interior design solutions, enabling the venue to quickly transition between intimate gatherings, educational programming, weddings, and large community events.
Rather than relying on permanent walls that block daylight and views, the all-glass NanaWall systems create adaptable partitions between spaces while preserving the open, greenhouse-like atmosphere that defines the visitor experience and event space design.
Designing a Flexible, Light-Filled Space for Any Event with Frameless Glass Walls
Photo courtesy of Arkos Design
The Inspiration Behind a Multi-Use Event Space
As attendance at Wellfield Botanic Gardens grew from approximately 20,000 to more than 75,000 annual visitors in just five years, the need for a larger, more adaptable gathering space became increasingly important. The new Visitor Center was designed to support this rapid growth while accommodating weddings, educational programming, private events, and year-round community gatherings.
“This building is meant to be a transformational experience for our guests. From the minute they enter, when they come into the garden, and all the way until they exit,” says Eric Garton, Wellfield Botanic Gardens Executive Director. “The very intentional design of these spaces allows the outside light and color inside the building, providing amazing views.”
Photo courtesy of Arkos Design
An Expansion to Foster Meaningful Connections
Inside, visitors are welcomed by a light-filled rotunda, café, and gift shop. Adjacent, a spacious Great Hall was designed to accommodate a wide range of experiences. Rather than dividing the venue with traditional walls that would block light and views, Arkos Design sought a solution that could support multiple room configurations while maintaining transparency.
The adjoining event rooms can operate independently or combine into a single expansive venue, allowing the space to adapt seamlessly to changing occupancy needs while maintaining a strong visual connection to the surrounding botanical gardens.
The Flexible Design Solution for Multifunctionality
To meet the operational demands of a growing event venue, the architects specified 6 NanaWall FSW75 frameless folding glass walls, totaling 34 panels. The nearly 11-foot-tall systems provide transparency, flexibility, and sleek aesthetics, maintaining the building’s strong visual connection to the gardens while allowing spaces to adapt quickly for different events.
When closed, the frameless glass walls preserve natural daylight and uninterrupted sightlines, creating a bright, garden-inspired interior while maintaining transparency throughout the venue.
Space Maximization with Inward and Outward Stacking
Installed between the Great Hall and adjoining event rooms, the folding frameless glass walls allow the venue to function as three separate spaces or as one expansive gathering area. The configuration includes three systems on each side of the hall. On each side, two folding glass wall systems fold inward and stack neatly against the event room walls, while a center system opens outward. This efficient layout minimizes obstruction, preserves clear circulation paths, and maximizes usable floor space and table setup during large events.
“The frameless glass panels with continuous top and bottom rails maximize transparency while maintaining sleek, unobstructed sightlines that keep the focus on the gardens.” – Arkos Design, Architect
Unique Customizations Embrace Botanical Motifs
Throughout the Visitor Center, nature-inspired detailing reinforces the project’s biophilic design program. The frameless glass walls were customized with decorative glass film featuring a subtle grass motif, providing privacy without disrupting the space's openness and transparency. Above, artwork reliefs mirror the design of the glass, adding visual cohesion. The custom detailing reflects the surrounding botanical setting while softening direct sightlines at eye level.
Swing doors were also incorporated, allowing rooms to function independently even when the walls remain closed. ADA-compliant sills offer uninterrupted transitions, maintaining easy circulation between event spaces.
“The system’s smooth, single-handed operation makes it easy for Wellfield’s limited staff to reconfigure the space quickly, transforming three individual rooms into one large venue with minimal effort.” - Arkos Design, Architect
Multiple Events, Increased ROI, and an Unforgettable Guest Experience
By creating a flexible event space design that adapts throughout the day, the Visitor Center helps Wellfield Botanic Gardens maximize operational efficiency and long-term return on investment. The NanaWall systems allow staff to quickly transition between simultaneous events, private rentals, educational programs, and large community gatherings without requiring additional square footage. This flexibility expands booking opportunities, increases venue utilization, and supports growing visitor demand.
At the same time, the folding frameless glass walls elevate the guest experience by preserving garden views, abundant daylight, and a bright, greenhouse-like atmosphere throughout the interior.
Final Thoughts
At the Visitor Center at Wellfield Botanic Gardens, NanaWall frameless glass walls play a central role in transforming the building into a flexible, light-filled commercial event space design. By replacing traditional solid partitions with transparent, operable systems, the architectural team created interiors that adapt on demand, creating memorable experiences that feel open, immersive, and deeply connected to the surrounding botanical landscape.
With its reconfigurable layout, the project demonstrates how flexible glass wall systems can elevate multifunctional commercial spaces through transparency, ease of operation, and endless customization options.
Explore Your Options: Which Frameless Glass Wall Systems Does NanaWall Offer?
NanaWall offers a comprehensive lineup of frameless glass walls for a wide range of project needs, specifications, and event space design goals. Options include:
- HSW75: HSW75 is a frameless glass, single track, stacking system that provides the ultimate in versatility and flexibility. No floor track is needed. Coordinates with FSW75 and CSW75 for uniform sightlines.
- PrivaSEE: PrivaSEE™ is the only frameless glass, single track stacking system specifically engineered for acoustical sound privacy. This patented system achieves a unit of STC 36.
- ClimaCLEAR: ClimaCLEAR™ is a patented frameless glass, single track stacking system for fully transparent, structurally secure, weather-rated openings.
- CSW75: CSW75 is a frameless glass, center pivot folding door that coordinates with HSW75 and FSW75 systems for uniform sightlines. No floor track is needed. Create an unlimited span of top-hung center pivot folding panels by adding paired panels.
- FSW75: FSW75 is a frameless glass, folding door system that coordinates with the HSW75 and CSW75 systems for uniform sightlines. Create an unlimited span of top-hung folding panels by adding paired panels.
Discover how NanaWall frameless glass doors transform more commercial spaces here!
