Situated at the heart of the RCMP campus in Ottawa adjacent to a major access route to the National Capital, the expansion of the Canadian Police Information Centre contributes to the image of the institution in drawing on its founding qualities: permanence, stability, professionalism, rational organization, and a respect for the environment. The central atrium acts as a buffer between the new and existing buildings acting to recover, conserve, and redistribute heat in the winter months, whereas it discharges heat during hot summer days. Within the offices, an organization free of columns provides high flexibility while eliminating visual obstructions.