Burnaby Mountain Secondary School was developed with the objective of integrating the site with the building and using the site and its surroundings as part of the school program.

Located at the base of Burnaby Mountain, adjacent to Stoney Creek - a fish-bearing stream, integrating the school into a sensitive environment became a critical issue in siting the school and parking. Runoff from parking lots, playfields and the building moves through to bioswales and water quality ponds before being directed to Stoney Creek. Under the playfield is a horizontal geothermal system that is designed to keep the school's interior at a comfortable temperature year round. Native plantings are used predominately around the school, in the swales and park were chosen to minimize traditional maintenance and enhance wild life habitat. Students at the school interact with the site and surrounding environment as part of the school curriculum.