Cowichan Valley Office

Summary

The office building is three levels, with semi-underground parking on the lowest level and the clinic and home care support offices on levels 1 and 2. The façade is layered to reduce the massing effect on the site. This design approach visually divides the height of the building into linear sub-masses, with different materials utilized at each level. The concrete structure of the semi-underground parking level is somewhat visible on the very east end of the building. On level 1, which is the level that predominantly touches the land, the façade is a dark grey horizontal corrugated metal, providing a robust articulated cladding and grounding the base of the building to the landscape. This level is punctuated with floor to ceiling glazing that provides a rhythmic pattern of solid-to-void elements of the façade.

Level 2 contrasts with the heavier appearing base of level 1 in rhythm and colour and is a take on the classic midcentury modern office, with its regular vertical fin elements and continuous ribbon window. This level is clad in a light grey smooth fibre cement between the metal fins, all arranged with capping top and bottom horizontal elements. Where opaque events for the intersecting interior walls are required, coloured panels are introduced to add a playful element among the more structured features of the building.