situation:
Infinite Campus, an education based computer software company in Blaine, MN, needed a new corporate headquarters facility to consolidate its expanding business into one location. Working with Finn - Daniels Architects, the company wanted to design a unique facility that would be functional and aesthetically pleasing for employees and clients. The new 100,000 square foot building has two indoor wings, each that would require its own landscaping with artificial plants and trees.
initiatives:
Working closely with the architect and the owner, Commercial Silk International designed an Oriental Garden theme for one of the artificial plant landscapes. It featured an Ancient Sequoia tree and a giant 50’ x 20’ Koi pond. A northwoods theme was chosen for the other wing, including an artificial Rocky Mountain Pine tree that terminated at a three story climbing wall. Artificial evergreen trees and ground level live plants were used in both wings to provide a touch of thematic uniformity.
With construction fast-tracked, the installation requirements were more restrictive than normal for an indoor office building project. A project of this size normally would require three weeks of hands on work from the entire Commercial Silk Int’l installation department, yet there were only two weeks given for completion of the project and to satisfy NFPA 701 state fire code requirements.
results:
The Oriental wing features a dry stream bed with Mexican beach pebbles that flows through the garden. Live plants were used throughout planting islands, and artificial Oriental Bamboo trees and artificial Black Olive trees comprise the defining vertical elements of the office landscape design. Artificial Bonsai, artificial Ancient Sequoia and artificial Flowering Dogwood were used to create unique focal points within the garden.
The northwoods wing featured an overstory with artificial Rocky Mountain pine trees, artificial Scotch pine trees, and artificial Paper Birch trees. Artificial Grass, Hostas and Forest Ferns were also used at ground level in addition to various live plants in the planting areas. Bark nuggets were scattered throughout the artificial landscape design as a finishing touch.
In the end, Commercial Silk Int’l completed the landscaping on time and within budget while satisfying all fire code requirements. The client was so pleased that he camped out for a weekend with his kids in the northwoods wing of the building.
location:
Blaine, MN