MERIT AWARD
Represents superior accomplishment in the profession of landscape architecture.
The Yard at Canyon Park Tech Center
“Great use of space providing various ways of reprieve for an office park.”
As the first of its kind, The Yard sets the tone for outdoor office amenities in the rapidly growing Silicon Slopes region.
SUMMARY
The Yard at Canyon Park Tech Center is a branded and exciting one-of-a-kind outdoor amenity space. As the first of its kind, The Yard sets the tone for outdoor office amenities in the rapidly growing Silicon Slopes region.
Located amid 14 high-tech office buildings, The Yard is where tenants meet up during all hours of the day to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities. The Yard captures the entrepreneurial spirit of the high-growth tech firms that use the space. It quickly has become a favorite place of tenants, helping to drive sales for The Muller Company in their efforts to reposition a previously declining office park.
The Yard is a clear example of the high value of outdoor space. Its success demonstrates the many benefits outdoor amenities offer within an office environment - from growing an investment firm’s bottom line to building strong company cultures.
PROJECT NARRATIVE
Environmental Sensitivity and Sustainability:
• The success of The Yard proves to local developers the value of immersive outdoor space, and is opening the door for more usable green infrastructure within suburban office “parks” throughout the state. The unique custom features challenge the perceptions of what is possible and practical. An outdoor amenity is becoming a “must-have” in the minds of commercial office developers, setting the stage for a greener and healthier city.
• The renovated site utilizes water efficient irrigation design with smart technology and equipment to conserve water.
• The planting design centers around water wise and climate adapted plants.
• Existing trees were preserved and incorporated into the design as locations for hammocks and shaded seating areas.
Design Value to the Client, Community, and Other Designers:
• The Yard shows how much can really be done to improve a space and create large scale value. Before the updates, the spot was simply the location of two basketball courts and a couple of sand volleyball pits. But, with the thoughtful consideration of how people use such spaces, it has become so much more.
• As a prime marketing tool The Yard continues to provide value to The Muller Company and their growing number of office tenants.
• The Yard is a huge draw for startups and high growth tech companies that need attractive amenities to help build their workforce.
• It has been a catalyst for changing perceptions of what is possible and viable for office amenities within the Silicon Slopes.
• The Yard is a source of inspiration for other designers and their clients, giving them greater confidence concerning what is possible for their projects.
• It presents a higher design standard for office amenities in Utah.
• Similar projects are seeing higher initial budget allocations for new projects early in the proforma stage, allowing designers to create more engaging and valuable spaces.