The HOK designed 550,000 sf Symantec Corporate research campus in Culver City, California was envisioned as strong and secure citadel on a hill.  Designed to compliment the architecture of the building, the corporate campus includes a formal entry for visitors while creating behind the scenes outdoor spaces for employees. The landscape design was an integral part of the project’s LEED-NC gold rating.

The entry drive is lined with a row of Date Palms alternating with photo voltaic art sculptures made of marble that generate a wonderful glow.  The palms where chosen to provide balance and mitigate the height of the building and parking structure while allowing light to fall on the PV panels.  The palm lined drive leads to the large and open central courtyard lined with Ginkgo Trees, Ligustrum hedge and concrete seatwalls. 

Following the entry courtyard is a colorful and textural planting zone that reads like ‘meadow’.  The plant materials including Agaves, Kangaroo Paw, Blue Oat Grass, Sea Lavender, Dymondia, succulents, and Palo Verde trees. The hillside site required extensive slope stabilization that was accomplished with native groundcovers including Dwarf Coyote Brush and Wild Lilac with accents of large flower shrubs, Pride of Madera and Yucca.