Vandusen Gardens
Garden at the corner of 37th and Oak Street in Vancouver BC...
The Site
The Vandusen Botanical Garden is an existing 22 hectare garden at the corner of 37th and Oak Street in Vancouver. The first phase of the master plan includes a new state-of-the-art administration and education centre. Inspired by our native Orchid, the new building is shaped with a stylish petal-shaped green roof designed as an integrated living system within the gardens.
S.L.A. completed the first phase (2.5 hectares) of the project design with the offices of Cornelia Hahn and the architectural firm of Busby Perkins + Will.
The Challenge
To redefine the function, aesthetics and role of the botanical garden in the 21st century. To create a building and landscape which functions as one living system and serves as an educator to the public. These gardens are part of a larger demonstration and education facility will show case the new eco-aesthetic for sustainable landscape solutions such as rain gardens and wetland systems
The Design
The Garden As Art'. The entry gardens designed as a series of intertwining serpentine berms illustrate the pine forest ecology of interior coastal B.C. The minimalist treatment of the landscape coupled with these forms draws reference to the undulating mountain ranges of the pine forest and the landscape itself transcends to that of public art.
Rain channels emulating dendritic arms of a river course run through the parking lots and will direct storm water into a series of rain gardens. This will demonstrate in an abstract and artistic way how water falls and channels through and infiltrates into built form.
The Garden As Educator
Eco-gardens - such as native landscapes, butterfly and wildlife gardens will educate the public on the process of nature and illustrate how these principals can be used in their own backyard.
Sustainable Design
'Regenerative Solutions'. 100% of VanDusen's occupants' water use to come from either captured rain or reused water that is purified without the use of chemicals. Storm water from the existing parking lot and adjacent 37th Ave will infiltrate into a series of demonstration gardens illustrating how water is cleaned using plants such as Juncus, Iris and Carex.
A solar aquatic system (water plants housed in a greenhouse) will be supplement this process of grey water cleaning. The undulating five-petal 'green' roof accessible by people will showcase a series of ecological zones - from butterfly meadows to wetlands. This system is part of a larger network within the garden. The existing network of ponds will be partially reinstated wetlands to receive, use and process water as part of its natural system.
