Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada
Parks Canada - Going Green
Architectural drawing of the Gulf Island National Park Reserve Operations Center
© Larry McFarland Architects Limited (with permission)/ 2005
Located on the waterfront of Tsehum Harbour in Sidney, British Columbia, the Gulf Island National Park Reserve (GINPR) Operations Centre is one of the most advanced environmentally sustainable buildings in Canada. The facility houses all operations and administration staff of the national park reserve.
The three-story building's lowest level is primarily a support facility for the marine operations of the national park.
The upper two floors accommodate the administrative functions of the park.
The main entry/lobby also serves an interpretive function.
Guided tours are offered monthly by booking with the office at 250-654-4000.
Sustainable Design
Diagram of the Gulf Island National Park Reserve Operations Centre and area
© Franck Binard, based on series of original diagrams from Larry McFarland Architects LTD, Parks Canada / 2006
The sustainable design vision developed for this project is to demonstrate how in the isolated island ecology of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, a building can be designed to respond to its site and environment to minimize dependence on outside sources of energy and its impact on the environment.
The natural resources available on site - the ocean, sunlight and the abundant rainfall have all been incorporated into the building systems.
The building has achieved the Platinum level accreditation in the LEED© Canada (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System©.
The LEED© Green Building Rating System© is a standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Click here to learn more about the LEED© Rating System.