Canada's insider blog

The new visitor centre at Vancouver’s renowned VanDusen Botanical Garden is destined to become a local landmark – and more. It aspires to be one of the world’s first certified ‘living’ buildings.

The green roof – it was inspired by the shape of a native orchid – appears to float in the air. And with advanced technology for energy and water self-sufficiency, the building is a masterpiece of design and sustainability.

It boasts solar and geo-thermal energy and rammed earth walls as well as on-site water capture and treatment. Plants from the garden will cleanse the building’s water for re-use. Materials used in construction were chosen for their minimal impact on human and ecosystem health.

The building’s extraordinary features are no accident; Vancouver is aiming to be the ‘greenest’ city in the world by 2020 and the VanDusen Visitor Centre will help it achieve that goal.

Inside the $21.9 million building, you’ll find a light-filled atrium, a discovery room where you can learn about the importance of plants and biodiversity, a café, a library and other resources.

And let’s not forget about the garden itself. With a quarter of a million plants spread over 22 hectares (55 acres) the VanDusen Botanical Garden has long been a draw for people passionate about plants. Now, it’s a must-see destination for tourists and locals alike.