22 Aug 2025

Re-imagining workplace design in this inclusive and flexible office interior

Article by Marcella Au and Julie Sumairski.
An exercise in innovative post-pandemic thinking, McCain’s office renovation was designed as an inclusive
and technology-enabled hybrid workplace, coming out of a year of at-home work.

Interior Designers: Marcella Au, ARIDO; Julie Sumairski, ARIDO
Design team: Caroline Robbie, Life Member ARIDO
Design Firm: BDP Quadrangle
Photographer: Nick Caville, BDP

Four lounge chairs with small side tables all pointed toward a large screen on a brick wall. Above are linear yellow and black lighting hanging light fixtures

Taking the opportunity to reimagine workplace design, we designed a destination that would energize employees and allow for opportunities to collaborate. The project revolved around bolstering creativity for a fresh and inviting workplace, injecting social culture wherever possible.

Located in a brick-and-beam heritage building, an important aspect of the project was to protect the
natural features of the space while infusing modern elements. To redesign the office, we used creative
graphics and wayfinding to showcase brand identity.

Cockpit room, a boardroom with a large white oval table and chairs, and three black acoustic oval panels above on the ceiling. On the wall beside the table are three large touch enabled TV screens.

A key element of the redesign was the Cockpit Room, one of the project’s biggest undertakings. Designed
to be a boardroom for high-profile executive meetings, this meeting room required meticulous planning to
meet the design objectives. Everything in this space was custom-made, from the millwork in the space to
the touch-enabled 109” planar TV screen wall-mounted in the front of the room. The client wanted higher
meeting tables to accommodate bigger meetings, so MillerKnoll was engaged to develop a custom semicircular
table. This table design ensured that all meeting attendants would face the screen at the front of the room during hybrid meetings. This room utilized elements for acoustic mitigation, including carpet tile and acoustic ceiling lights.

A private small meeting room enveloped with a glass wall.

By integrating lounge-inspired workspaces with pop-up desks we maximized comfort in focused work areas. Introducing formal and informal spaces for collaboration was a key factor in enticing employees to return to the office. Open and collaborative hybrid spaces were prioritized over dedicated desks, and spaces for side-by-side working were introduced.

Large communal kitchen area, in neutral tones, yellow bar stools at the island, and exposed beams and hvac above that add an industrial feel.

An entrance to the quiet multi-purpose room for prayer, meditation, wellness, and nursing. These is a single lounge chair sitting in the corner visible from the entrance door.

We introduced a comfortable and quiet multi-purpose room for prayer, meditation, wellness, and nursing. Identifying inclusivity as crucial to employee wellness, we integrated elements that were considerate of differing needs. Height-adjustable desks were introduced throughout the office for ease of access, and a universal washroom was added on the third floor.

A sense of community was incorporated into the project through the focused redesign of collaborative
areas, meeting rooms, and spaces conducive to employee wellness.

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