RCMP ‘E’ Division Headquarters, Surrey BC
The relocation of RCMP ‘E’ division Headquarters from Vancouver to Surrey BC, resulted in the re-development of a former forestry tree nursery in Green Timbers area of Surrey. It has created for the RCMP a purpose-built, integrated campus with over 76,000sq.m. of LEED-certified buildings developed on a P3 format. Within a site area of 14.8 hectares, PD Group had responsibility for hard and soft landscape design for the facility in close collaboration with the project architects, developer and client group. Given the end user of the facility, CPTED and security issues were high priorities in the landscape design. However the site frontage retains a welcoming open character enhanced by retention of a row of mature heritage trees defining the principal public approach to the building, an ornamental pond providing storm water detention and irrigation water supply together with a memorial parade space and parking for visitors. Other components of the landscape design include a courtyard to the rear of the main building, landscaping to on-grade parking for over 1,800 vehicles and ensuring connectivity for pedestrians throughout the site. Extensive green roofs also form part of the scheme and these are irrigated using captured rainwater and run-off stored in the pond.