Tomlinson Corporate Headquarters

Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc. designed the Tomlinson Group's headquarters in Ottawa as a built expression of the company's identity. Tomlinson works in mineral extraction, earthworks and infrastructure, and that grounding in stone and earth shaped the whole response. Rather than sit on top of the site, the building emerges from a restored and re-naturalised landscape and bridges across it.

A single-storey landscaped berm undulates over the entire property. It is cut away at each entrance, where the openings are lined with sloping board-formed concrete, so arrival means moving through the strength of stone and earth on which the company is built. The ground floor is embedded within the berm, keeping that mass of stone and concrete visible to everyone passing in and out. The second floor sits level with the raised landscape, while the third and fourth floors float above the ground.

All four levels are tied together by an interior atrium that runs across the width of the building and opens into the entrance plazas on either side. Conceived as a town square, the atrium gives company members a place to meet and creates visual links between departments and between floors. The office floors are split and open onto this void, with collaborative and open-plan areas along the perimeter and glass-enclosed offices wrapping the core. Two bridges cross the atrium on each level, and a red sculptural stair animates the space.

Landscape carries as much of the identity as the building. The berm is planted with soft grasses, and the rest of the site holds outdoor terraces, oversized limestone boulders and a stormwater reservoir. The naturalised setting provides a habitat for local flora and fauna and reflects Tomlinson's commitment to environmental stewardship across its operations.

The headquarters covers 7,432 m2 (80,000 ft2) across four levels and completed in 2018.

Architect: Christopher Simmonds Architect Inc. Photographer: Doublespace Photography.