An $867-million Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) Long-Term Accommodation Project (LTAP) has been completed in Ottawa, Ont. to house Canada’s national cryptologic agency. The 72,000-square-metre development, designed by WZMH Architects, was built to achieve LEED Gold certification.

The facility is expected to generate approximately 4,000 employment opportunities, including work for engineers, computer scientists, programmers, physicists, mathematicians, language specialists and intelligence analysts.

The main, five-storey structure is connected to the surrounding landscape by smaller pavilions containing workplace functions. At the centre of the building, a multi-storey hub contains meeting rooms, conference facilities and resource centres. Amenities include a cafeteria, coffee shop, green lounge and fitness centre.

Funded by the Government of Canada, the new LTAP facility was built using sustainable design principles and natural resources. The architect’s goal was to create a design that blended the building with the surrounding, heavily wooded landscape and this was accomplished through the use of open spaces, natural building products and ample windows.

The LTAP project will be home to the Canadian Department of National Defence.