FortisBC - Victoria Area Regional Operations Center

The Opportunity

FortisBC transferred and expanded their main Operations Centre from the City of Victoria to 1027 Langford Parkway in the City of Langford in 2012. The 21,808 sq. ft. two-storey building was constructed to a LEED® Silver standard, utilizing several Low Impact Development features such as, infiltration of rain water runoff, low lighting levels, geothermal heating and cooling, solar hot water, and natural ventilation.

The Approach

Westbrook provided the detailed design of the site servicing and site grading, as well as the design of a groundwater recharge system that directs treated rainwater runoff to the underlaying gravels. Westbrook also provided the design of the sanitary lift station, which is fitted with emergency shut off switches within the garage bays that can be activated in the event of an oil spill during feet vehicle maintenance.

The site is situated at the lowest elevation within the commercial development along the south side of Langford Parkway. The low elevation resulted in the challenge of adapting the drainage infiltration system to avoid the relatively shallow depth of the groundwater table.

The Result

The project was completed in 2012.

The new building won the Commercial Building Award of Excellence for Office in 2013 from the Victoria Real Estate Board.