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Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan Inc.’s (FMRP) new 64,000 square
foot office building, located on a 5.3 hectare along Highway
401, opened on October 28th, 2009. FMRP is
pursuing Gold certification for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) from the Canada Green Building
Council for the environmentally sustainable office
building.
GSP was an integral member of the design team for landscape
design of the site and three green roofs, integration of
innovative water efficiency techniques, and achievement of
the remaining LEED categories. All landscape elements and
inputs were vetted through the LEED process with the same
rigor as the building system elements to ensure LEED
compliance. Throughout the landscape design development,
special attention was given to addressing the habitat needs
for identified rare and/or endangered fauna. As a result,
the landscape design has provided an opportunity for
additional LEED Innovation Points.
The landscape planting design references the rural roots of
FMRP and features four-season interest plants. The strong
geometric planting patterns surrounding the building
envelope not only integrates xeric root-zoning design
principles, but also, references Viennese artist
Hundertwassers’ paintings of farmers’ fields. The plant
selection provides food and brooding plants for all stages
of a butterfly’s lifecycle, as well as, forage, habitat and
nesting opportunities for birds and other fauna.
A
meeting room and waiting area overlook the cafeteria green
roof. The cafeteria green roof repeats the rural theme
with sedum covered furrows that mimic the gentle curve of
the building facade with a curved, high-albedo paver walkway
that frames a central, storm event canal. Beyond the canal
is the meadow semi-intensive green roof that utilizes plants
that butterflies prefer for perching and displaying.
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