The Hawaii Nature Center broke ground Thursday for a rain pavilion that will be able to serve thousands more children each year through its environmental education school programs, weekend calendar activities, nature excursions and community-based environmental restoration projects.

Architects Hawaii Ltd. is providing the architectural and design services pro bono as part of its 1 percent program, which connects nonprofits with architecture firms to give 1 percent of their billable hours annually to pro bono projects.

The pavilion, scheduled to be completed in January, is part of the center but is across the street from the center’s main educational facility at 2131 Makiki Heights Drive in Hono­lulu.

Supporters who want to participate in a Rain Pavilion Donor Leaf program will have a specially designed leaf that will be personalized and displayed at the rain pavilion. To make a donation to the rain pavilion, email Dyanna Oka­zaki at dyanna@hawaiinaturecenter.org or call 955-0100, ext. 125.