The Ryan Resilience Lab is a global model for coastal resilience, designed to teach the world’s coastal residents and businesses how to respond as sea levels rise.
How to Get Involved with the Ryan Lab
Not only does the Lab showcase sustainable living in flood-prone areas, it’s an epicenter for environmental research, community events, and even the arts. Explore what the Ryan Lab has to offer and come see it for yourself!
Where to Find Us:
4610 Colley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23508
We'd Love to See You at the Lab
Take the Tour!
Join us for a tour of this remarkable new facility and an eye-opening exploration of how sea level rise will affect us all. Check out cutting edge green building practices and systems – floating docks, green roofs, solar arrays, rainwater capture, and much more. See sustainability best practices in action and learn about the “planned retreat” that will allow the river to retake the site as sea levels continue to rise.
The Lab is designed to withstand elements that will destroy many other structures around it. But the materials and solutions used aren’t out of reach for other builders and homeowners. Rain-absorbing landscaping, pervious paving, adaptable floodproofing, floating storage buildings – these are affordable solutions for structures that are built to last.
The Ryan Resilience Series – our eclectic assortment of on-site events, art exhibits and workshops – is designed to bring the community together to explore climate and environmental issues from many perspectives. Click below to see what’s coming up and get details on how to attend.
The new Ryan Resilience Lab explores, displays and models key concepts and approaches that will lead the way to a more sustainable future:
Adaptation To A Changing Climate
Building and site designs incorporate elevated structures, floating docks, and on-site energy production through solar arrays and battery backups with a goal of net zero energy use.
Features To Absorb Flooding
Living shorelines, rain gardens, pervious paving and green roofs to reduce stormwater runoff, rain barrels and cisterns to collect rainwater, and “gray-water” re-use in the building are all on display.
Energy and Environmental Resilience
Designed for energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint, from recycled material usage to solar panels to high-efficiency lighting, including “sunlight harvesting” strategies.
Cultural Resilience
Signage, displays and ERP staff educate visitors on resilience features and strategies while art exhibits inspire and public parks and green spaces offer new ways to experience the Elizabeth River.
Planned Retreat
With sea level rise projected to overtake the facility in 30-50 years, it’s built to be progressively preserved before ultimately succumbing to the river – an groundbreaking model for homeowners and developers.
Host your next meeting or event with the beautiful backdrop of the Elizabeth River
Interested in hosting your community meeting or event at the Ryan Resilience Lab? Fill out a request form!
Louis Ryan’s Love of the Water Helped Us Do Something Beautiful
Louis Ryan and his wife Pru were the lead donors for the Ryan Lab. Without their generosity and passion for environmental stewardship, we never could have completed this magnificent building.
Play Video
View A Message from Louis →
“Developing on-land solutions to rising tides and rising sea level is not just a case of trying to make it more inhabitable for human beings. It’s also a case of making the land more friendly to the river.”
LOUIS RYAN
OFFICER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Elizabeth River Project
Local Businesses Working Toward A healthy, sustainable environment
The EcoDistrict
The Ryan Lab is a proud cornerstone of the EcoDistrict, a collection of like-minded businesses putting sustainable practices into play every day in Norfolk’s Knitting Mill Creek.
The Elizabeth River Project Debuts Ryan Resilience Lab in Norfolk’s New EcoDistrict
September 1, 2024
Resilience On Display In New EcoDistrict June 1, 2024 marked a historic day for the Norfolk community. Residents, business owners and Elizabeth River Project
The urban design category of Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards honors products, packaging, and built projects designed to eliminate waste and reuse resources.
Thank you for your interest in the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab. We’re delighted that our site is in high demand. As the Ryan Resilience Lab is operated by a small non-profit with a big environmental mission, please help us make sure your event is a great fit.
Our priority is to host groups with relevance to our mission: to restore the Elizabeth River through equitable collaboration with diverse communities, governments, and businesses. When space and staff support are available, we are happy to host such groups free of charge, but do request that you consider an organizational membership and allow us to offer the opportunity for individual memberships.
Please fill this form out at least 30 days in advance of the event.