GlaxoSmithKline Inc.

Year Completed: 1992

Location: 7333 mississauga rd, ON

The project consisted primarily of a retrofit of an existing 12 foot circular planter in the atrium, overlooked by the boardroom. The walls of the planter were raised to a height of 2 feet and the unit was waterproofed to hold water to the top. A three legged island pod consisted of a cork tree (misters and all, orchids, bromeliads and air plants), a waterfall and tropical terrestrial plants hydroponically growing on the island. In the water below and swimming under the island pod were beautifully coloured Japanese Koi.

Unfortunately the unit no longer exists as the whole atrium has been converted into work office cubicles

My Story

This was the first commercial project for me. Years before, I had built a swimming pool and done all the landscaping along with it at the home of Jaques Lapointe, the president of Glaxo Canada. On one occasion, I had the chance to show him what else I had been up to. Mr. Lapointe, found it fit to give me the opportunity to do a project in one of the atriums in the new headquarters that was about to be constructed in Toronto, at Mississauga Rd. and 401.