The VanDusen Botanical Gardens upgrade was part of a $20 million improvement initiative that began in 2008. The first phase included a new 18,775 square foot visitors’ centre designed by Busby, Perkins + Will Architects. The building was designed to meet the Living Building Challenge Standard, and achieve LEED platinum certification.
Binnie was retained by Vancouver Parks Board for the design of an integrated stormwater management plan with features to achieve volume reduction, rate control, and to improve water quality. The on-site rainwater harvesting system employs a 125 cubic metre cistern permitting rainwater reuse within the building and natural rock swales allow infiltration and filtering of rainwater to recharge the groundwater conditions.
Binnie was also responsible for site servicing, grading and erosion sediment control during construction.
