The mission for the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center (PWEC) deals primarily with public education relating to the working waterfront. As part of this mission the PWEC oyster house building seeks to combine an educational mission and related visitors center operations, with a variety of working waterfront activities, as well as providing spaces for special events.

Environmentally responsive design practices inform the choices of fenestration, shading, and building envelope. MEP systems provide a range of sustainable solutions, including geothermal heating and cooling, LED lighting, heat exchanges for aquaculture water, etc. The sustainable toolkit for the project is intended to focus on solutions that are both environmentally responsible and cost efficient.