FOCUS & CREATE OFFICE SPACES

This office is brighter under the sun

• Sharon Turner Dec 14, 2020
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Proving life's brighter under the sun, Sun Life consolidated two of its existing offices into one vertical campus for over 2,000 employees.

Interior Designer: Sharon Turner, ARIDO

Design Team: Daniela Barbon, ARIDO; Bridget Brown, ARIDO; Yen Lee, ARIDO; Erica Merry, ARIDO

Design Firm: HOK

Photographer: Tom Arban

To begin, the designers and Sun Life project team gathered ideas and recommendations from all levels of staff. Together, they learned employees craved a workplace replete with cutting-edge technology that adapts with how and where each employee chooses to work, including sit-stand desks for all workstations and a variety of soft seating options.

The new design features an employee hub, staff training area, full-floor reception, and meeting centre. Boasting exceptional views of Toronto's waterfront, the wraparound terrace on the top floor allows staff and guests ample access to the outdoors.

The sun was a recurring theme throughout the project: the way natural light shifts during the day guided the floor plan, while a sun ray architectural detail identifies the cafes, and echoes the company’s logo. The colour palette of neutrals, white oak, bronze metal accents complemented by bursts of blue, yellow, red and orange hues, also pay homage to the sun's daily journey.

The sophistication of the new office is amplified by high-tech touches including an interactive digital coffee table at reception to provide guests with information about Sun Life's ongoing work, and a 45-foot digital mural displaying scenes from cities around the world where Sun Life operates. The project also achieved LEED Platinum certification through minimized energy consumption including reduced lighting and water conservation.