Gilead Sciences is one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in the world focused on investigational drugs. Their need for expansion led them to develop a new 23-acre manufacturing plant in La Verne, California. KTUA worked closely with their architect in developing several conceptual landscape site plans that provided a phased master plan to accommodate future development and support the relocation and expansion of their existing San Dimas facilities.

Because of the intensity of the work and the desire for a high level of employee recruitment and retention, it was important that Gilead provide its employees with enhanced outdoor amenities such as outdoor break areas, plazas. walking paths, seating and enhanced landscape gardens. The main plaza is enclosed on three sides by two and three story buildings that function as a relaxing space and can accommodate user overflow from the adjacent interior cafe. Tables, chairs and umbrellas provide a place for breaks and outside dining, complete with a barbecue area, a shade canopy and large plaza trees. The plaza functions as a visual connection to the outdoors where it is adjacent to the glassed walls of their administrative offices. A walking path encircles the entire site.

In anticipation of executives and clientele visiting the site, the entrance to the building was enhanced with meandering colored concrete walkways, well placed groupings of trees and inspired vegetation, and hints of the Gilead company logo. Landscape spaces were designed to accommodate future building phases. Security was critical to the site and a security fence was aesthetically incorporated to surround the entire perimeter. Integrated stormwater treatment was also critical to the site and all stormwater from the buildings and parking is captured and treated in vegetated retention basins.

With the development of the site, KTUA was also responsible for the improvement plans along Wheeler Avenue that included medians and a parkway. A concept that integrated low-water use plants, decorative concrete and cobble was presented to the city as a solution to reduce the use of potable water in the medians.