The land around the Hanford Reach has been through a lot. From the Ice Age to the Manhattan Project to today, this section of the Columbia River Plateau in Richland, Washington, has seen an immense amount of change. Yet, the rocks beneath the surface and the Columbia River have remained constant.

The Hanford Reach Interpretive Center details this history. The building, designed by Jones & Jones Architects, features a Studio SC-designed site and interior wayfinding graphics program that speaks to the strength and power of the land and the water. The area, once home to the world’s first full-scale nuclear reactor and a site of the Manhattan Project, sits on the last non-tidal, free-flowing section of the Columbia River. President Clinton declared it a National Monument in 2000.

The environmental graphics concept for The Reach has a modern feel that highlights the effect of water on the land by using materials that can be treated in a variety of ways. Signs feature both textured and smooth surfaces to mimic the impact of water on the surrounding area, particularly the basalt rock that abounds.

The Interpretive Center will be a destination for visitors interested in the rich history of Eastern Washington. The new building—with its exhibition galleries, classrooms, and activity centers—will tell the story of this community’s impact, both locally and far beyond The Reach.

Image: Studio SC rendering of the Hanford Reach vehicular and pedestrian directionals and the monument sign.