Prairie Park Pavilion was conceived and constructed by third-year architecture students at the University of Kansas as a hands-on design-build project supporting the Prairie Park Nature Center’s mission of environmental stewardship and conservation education. Emphasizing the connection between sustainability and conservation, the students created a shade structure built almost entirely from repurposed materials. Retired utility poles donated by the local power company form the primary structural supports, while reclaimed aluminum street signs from nearby municipalities shape the canopy. Limestone blocks salvaged from renovations at KU’s Memorial Stadium provide durable seating. The pavilion’s geometry draws inspiration from the surrounding prairie and woodland, creating a sculptural form that sparks curiosity and accommodates camps, outdoor movies, weddings, and educational programs. The Nature Center takes its name from the native prairie landscape that surrounds its main facility and animal sanctuary. This rare remnant upland prairie is one of the last unaltered examples in the region. Managed through seasonal controlled burns, the landscape requires resilient design solutions. Accordingly, the pavilion incorporates river gravel ground cover and solid limestone seating to prevent fire spread, while its heavy timber columns withstand the brief but intense heat of prairie fires.