When esteemed veterinary surgeon Claude Gendreau wanted to build a world class sustainable veterinary hospital, he reached out to Farr Associates and ECT to design his green office campus. Together the project team prepared a master plan and secured approvals for the Cardinal Campus as a Planned Unit Development. Phase 1 was constructed in 2019 and is anchored by his LEED Platinum Veterinary Clinic. Phase 2 is currently in the planning stage. When completed the campus will contain seven buildings, including a boutique hotel and multiple professional office buildings.

ECT’s visionary approach to stormwater management allowed this formerly low-lying property to be developed. Unknown to most visitors, the gardens are bioretention planters that collect and treat runoff from the buildings’ roofs. Decorative roof drains direct the runoff underneath sidewalks and into the planters. The vehicular paving on campus is constructed from permeable interlocking concrete pavers allowing water to infiltrate.

The campus receives much praise from nearby residential neighbors who report walking through the grounds to enjoy the gardens. It boasts a network of walking paths that are connected to the street grid as well as large existing trees that were purposefully protected during the design phase.