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Intern Research: Imagining Center Lake Lodge

Summer Semester Interns

September 22, 2025
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This summer, nine interns from Design Collaborative — representing architecture, electrical engineering, graphic design, and information technology — teamed up to tackle an exciting challenge.

We were tasked with envisioning a new future for an underutilized site along Center Lake in Warsaw, Indiana. Our goal was to develop a concept that would connect the community to its natural surroundings while creating spaces for education, recreation, and connection. The result of our collaboration is Center Lake Lodge, a vision for a place where Warsaw’s identity comes alive.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, North West exterior render.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, North West exterior render.

Why Center Lake?

Warsaw is known as the “Land of the Lakes” because of the three lakes surrounding it: Center Lake, Pike Lake, and Winona Lake.

The vision for our project was to take the potential that Center Lake and its site already has and transform it into a space where the Warsaw community can flourish.

Currently, the only amenity the area offers is the lake itself, which does not provide much dedicated community space. The Warsaw Parks and Recreation master plan defined some of the desires and needs for this space, including:

  1. A new nature center to showcase native plants, animals, and geology, as well as a greenhouse for storage and learning.
  2. Expanded nature-centered educational programming, including gardening classes, floral arrangement workshops, interpretive hikes, and bird walks.
  3. More staffed equipment rental facilities to encourage outdoor activities like kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
  4. Increased accessibility to both outdoor and indoor spaces.
  5. Programming and facilities that promote mental and physical health for all ages.

The Site

Our site is a flat concrete square that sits adjacent to Center Lake.

  • North: Biblical Gardens
  • East: Highway 15
  • West: Parking lot

This location acts as a gateway to both downtown Warsaw and Center Lake.

Previously, this site was home to a gas station and convenience store. However, for the past five years, it has remained vacant, leaving the question:

What should Warsaw put here? What is this space missing that the community needs?

Using the site’s context and the needs of the community, we outlined our goals for our project:

  • Free or low-cost lifelong educational opportunities
  • Year-round programming for all ages
  • A public-oriented anchor along a key corridor to downtown

We brought this vision to life through our project: Center Lake Lodge.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, main-level floor plan. DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, Second-level floor plan. DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, sections graphic.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, main-level floor plan. DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, Second-level floor plan. DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, sections graphic.

A Billboard-Like Presence

One of our key ideas was to create a billboard-like presence that clearly signals to visitors they’ve arrived in Warsaw. To spark curiosity and invite exploration, we incorporated a mural on the exterior — designed to catch the eye and instill curiosity.

To reinforce the sense of arrival, we placed our logo prominently on the east wall, facing the highway, marking the entry point to Center Lake.

While we wanted the building to feel welcoming to visitors, we also made a conscious decision to limit interior visibility from the high-traffic road. This provides those inside with a greater sense of comfort and privacy.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, reception desk.

What’s Inside?

Not only did we want to bring the community together, but we also wanted to offer amenities that expand opportunities for people to engage with Center Lake and the surrounding environment.

Amenities include:

  • Two classrooms offering an educational environment with a focus on the nearby nature and wildlife.
  • Snack n’ Supply Dock – a place for snacks, refreshments, and sporting goods, where visitors can refresh during their day at the lake and get involved in outdoor activities.
  • Exhibit spaces located both indoors and outdoors, designed for all ages and all seasons.
  • Theater room providing an immersive visual experience of the lake ecosystem.
  • Outdoor greenhouse to learn about and observe nearby plants (with the ability to store plants during the winter).
  • Community board where people can share pictures of their experiences or post upcoming lake-related events.

The classrooms and theater room are also available as rentable spaces.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, nature center render. DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, classroom render.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, nature center render. DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, classroom render.

Purposeful Lighting

Lighting components complement the natural daylight that floods into the building. A variety of fun, nature-inspired decorative light fixtures are featured in addition to task lighting in the back-of-house areas of the building.

Exterior lighting elements highlight pathways around the site and the greenhouse.

Extending Community Online

Through a website, the public can find the latest on programs, rental opportunities, engage with a community board, and explore resources for nature education.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, website homepage.
DC Intern Project, Center Lake Lodge in Warsaw, Indiana, website homepage.

The Big Picture

We believe Center Lake Lodge is exactly what Warsaw has been looking for — a space that blends nature, education, and community in a way that feels both welcoming and inspiring. And we hope our vision inspires action to make Center Lake a true gathering place for years to come.

 

Ready to explore new possibilities for your space? Reach out to our team to start the conversation.

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