As the visual inspiration platform that is used around the world to discover inspiring creators, source unique products, and generate ideas, the team at Pinterest sought to bring their platform to life in their new workplace.
Creating an “experience first” setting with a minimum of half the space dedicated to immersive delight and wonder, the design team hosted blue-sky ideation sessions with employees to open a forum for ideas.
Employees are drawn to the whimsical amenity-centric space which features a glamping tent, hidden speakeasy, and greenhouse space. Murals and accessories for the styling of the space were sourced from multiple minority and LGBTQIA+ owned businesses.
The transition between hybrid and in-person collaboration is supported by a robust tech set up, underscoring the balance between individual effort and collaboration. The right mix of spaces bolsters creativity, and an ambient, inclusive sense of belonging.
Photographer: Klassen Photography and Karl Hipolito
The design team created an iconic three-story atrium which fosters a sense of belonging and creates the “wow” factor sometimes missing in typical office design.
Across from the atrium is an installation of company milestones in oak and brass, signalling the significance of BCG’s place in Canada. The installation takes pride of place and connects the team to the past while simultaneously inspiring future possibilities.
Circadian lighting, acoustic treatments, and flexible furniture options cater to the diverse needs of staff, particularly their neurodiverse population.
Designing for human behavior and fostering innovation were the two key strategies for this workplace redesign. The design team aimed to inspire a return to the office not from necessity, but a genuine desire fueled by the energizing atmosphere of the space.
With a ‘nest’ structure, employees naturally gravitate to spaces that suit their work and proximity, empowering them to select their ideal environment for the day ahead. The Oasis provides a serene retreat, featuring a skyline view, natural light, and lush plants. The Black Box encourages focused discussions, while the Back Alley acts as a casual, collaborative hub with a relaxed atmosphere.
A central convienience stair was added, adjacent to the lobby and reception desk, which encourages staff to make use of both floors of the space. By incorporating and refurbishing existing elements, the new design feels familiar and infuses new life.
Drawing inspiration from Yorkville’s Coffee House era of the 1960’s – a time and place that launched the careers of music legends – both artist and employee talent were the harmonizing tones at the centre of this project.
Interior Designer: Anthony Orasi, ARIDO Design Firm:iN STUDIO Design Team: Betty Chor, Intern, ARIDO; Katy Krause, ARIDO
Photographer: Steve Tsai
This new environment brings together three separate business units and 150 staff in a bright and comfortable workspace, while providing a touchdown space, a performance venue, and a recording studio for Sony’s artists. Sampling the product at Sony Music means listening to music and all materials, wall assemblies, and furnishings were selected with acoustic performance in mind.
Functionality without compromising on aesthetic or comfort—from a faux architectural fireplace to retro leather seating, this is a space that supports employee engagement with a neighbourhood café feel.
Nutrien’s new space is an office that pays homage to their Saskatchewan roots while celebrating their global agricultural success. Human connection, sustainability, and user experience inform the function and form of their offices on the top nine floors of Saskatoon’s newest office tower.
The design integrates references to Treaty No. 6 as a way to honour Indigenous, First Nations and Métis people’s history, culture, and connection to the land where the city of Saskatoon is located. This work was informed by an internal stakeholder group of Indigenous employees. Throughout the space, artwork by Indigenous and Canadian artists capture both the historic and contemporary values of the organization, and the vast Prairie surroundings.
How do you unify a team of more than 350 staff in one space? The design team answered that question with their project for Minto Group Inc. Fresh air and fresh energy were guiding themes, signalling the company’s renewed focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as health and safety priorities.
Interior Designer: Susan Brewster, ARIDO Design Firm: places&spaces
Photographer: Kevin Belanger
The design team exceeded the required accessibility standards and added amenities such as a wellness room for meditation, prayer, or exercise.
Technology is thoughtfully integrated, ensuring that participants have an equal seat at the table, whether they’re connecting from home, the office, or job sites.
One of the main gathering hubs provides natural light from skylights, lush plants, and adjoined rooms which bridge indoors and outdoors. Employee autonomy is considered, as staff who might be overwhelmed in a large meeting space can participate in adjacent smaller spaces, with technology that mirrors the presentation for everyone. Staff can be together, and set their own level of control and choice.
Celebrating a sense of place was the strategy for Google’s new Montreal office. Located in the historic Read Building, the office pays homage to iconic Montreal neighborhoods including the Old Port, Chinatown, and Little Italy.
Interior Designers: Anthony Orasi, ARIDO; Alexandra Dobrzynski, ARIDO Design Firm:iN STUDIO Design Team: Rosemary Ratkaj, ARIDO; Clancy Snook, ARIDO; Sarah Stafford, ARIDO; Vince Zhao, Intern, ARIDO
Photographer: Gillian Jackson
Many structural elements were left exposed, such as worn concrete, heavy-gauge steel, and raw brick. A feature stair clad in structural steel tubing provides a central landmark for situating one self within the floorplate.
The design team developed an inclusive wayfinding methodology, supported by high contrast signage elements and the inclusion of braille features. With coloured carpeting which changes by floor, the stair supports this strategy. The space also highlights local and Indigenous artists and artisans with custom murals, fibre art, and graphics.
“Getting the right people in the room” to some might be a cheesy business platitude, however it can be the key to the success of interior design projects. At T+ Studio, we try to integrate that with our ‘round table approach’, whether it’s around a boardroom table or in a virtual Zoom room.
Interior Designer: Michael Serino, ARIDO Design Firm: T+Studio Photographer: Philip Castleton Photography
Our client engaged our team three years ago with a few specific goals. As a dynamic non-profit they wanted their Toronto headquarters to attract the generation of emerging professionals and use the space to promote their internal culture as well as their organization’s mandate. Their wide reaching mission touches on multiple aspects of today’s society, from religion to culture, including art and architecture.
We were engaged in 2019 to deliver the project and provide strategy and analysis on the best ways to effectively use their project budget.
The client designated most of the workspace to be enclosed offices for senior talent, so finding a balance of open work space, and providing a welcoming and exciting space for younger workers was key.
The organization also hosts events from time to time and wanted to maintain their ability to do so, even after the pandemic has shifted the level of interest for in person events. Many of their members appreciate being invited to live events and the chance to meet other members and network within the membership.
As an association that collects member dues, the careful use of these funds was crucial. By directing a larger portion of the budget to the entertaining space for quarterly member’s meetings and events, we could put the tradition and history of the organization on display and exemplify the careful and transparent project spending.
An interconnected stair becomes the nervous system of the space, with noble wood treads and a branded platform that grounds the structure and creates the perfect juxtaposition with the open risers and glass walls. These forms are repeated in the black sculpture at the centre of the stair, visually connecting the open space between the two floors.
The intersecting grid-like motif is echoed elsewhere in the sculptural wall and ceiling detail which crisscrosses above and behind the reception desk, an indicative branding message connecting culture and people.
A project like this would normally take 8-12 months, but this one stretched much longer due to pandemic shutdowns, material, and worker shortages. We tried to circumvent as many of the delays as possible by completing the upfront administrative work, pre-ordering supplies, creating shop drawings, and securing approvals during these pauses. With all the background work completed, we were able to hit the ground running when construction started again.
Working with a great contractor and our in-house ‘round table approach’ led all stakeholders to come together and work towards a successful outcome. The round table approach leverages everyone’s experience and input and makes sure all parties around the table, regardless of its shape, are heard.
Our client and stakeholders were well integrated in this project which provided them with a clear understanding of every decision. Incorporating the client this way ensured they could provide insight to their own stakeholders and stand clearly behind each decision.
As an Interior Designer, I believe it’s our job to unite everyone involved in a project: the client, design team, contractor and other professional consultants, and guide them to a successful outcome.
As the region’s most diverse and robust brokerage, it was only natural for Rego Realty to lead the way in business concept with their headquarters in midtown Kitchener/Waterloo. Guiding the vision of the venture was the unique convergence of services provided by Rego, and the challenge to take a 1970’s old block and concrete building and turn it into an 8725 square-foot multi-use facility.
Interior Designer: Adah Noelting, ARIDO
Design Firm: Dfy Studio
Photographer: Brandon Scott Photography
The project’s inspiration came from a strong reaction to the new wave of investors and property owners in the up-and-coming region. The goal of the facility was to streamline the buyers experience and lead them through an educational experience rather than a fast-paced destination. Crucial to the design was a space to house a café, event space, presentation area, coworking, and real estate team workspace.
We wanted the space to attract people from various backgrounds, cultures, and ways of life. The addition of a locally loved coffee shop within the common space contributed a sense of connection and support to the community. Bringing direction, balance, and harmony to a multi-use space became the biggest design challenge. Fortunately, it was easy for our team to find motivation to work through the demanding criteria because of our client.
The space spans four floors; the uppermost two floors were designated for the staff workspace and private meeting rooms; the main floor was developed into a public facing space with a fully functioning café and lounge. The lower level was utilized as a space where condo developers could showcase their materials and finishes to help the process of new buyers in a cozy presentation area.
Open ceilings and block walls throughout created obstacles in regard to acoustics. Our solution to this was to create custom trellis-like features as well as incorporating acoustic baffles and wall panels to balance the space and define working zones. With the limited amount of natural light, adding an element of biophilia to the design by incorporating moss into the darkest corner of the space, enhanced the atmosphere and added to the overall “wellness” of the office.
This project was about defying the normal process of real estate and bringing innovation, ease, and inclusion. The solution was very clear that this space needed to be an intentional and unique fusion of both residential and commercial elements.
Tailored soft seating, bespoke millwork design, localized reclaimed material, integrated technology, and refined branding are the key ingredients that make this space complete.
PagerDuty is one of the world’s leading digital operations management platforms for business. They help their clients prevent and resolve business-impacting incidents and deliver exceptional digital experiences. As a fast-moving and growing company, PagerDuty had outgrown their previous location on Queen Street West in Toronto and started their hunt for a new space to accommodate their growing team and business.
PagerDuty retained SGH as the prime designer to help lead this transition to their new home office. With the technology sector booming, being one of Toronto’s fastest-growing industries, PagerDuty was looking to remain ahead of the game for employee attraction and wanted to create a space that was conducive to open collaboration, team building, and overall employee wellness.
PagerDuty’s culture and brand were used as key drivers in the design of their new 24,000 square foot office. The brand-focused space was designed with standardized benching stations, enclosed and open meeting spaces equipped with the latest technology and named after Toronto landmarks and a large lunchroom with a games area that supported a town hall function as well. A portion of the space was designed for sub-tenant purposes which PagerDuty could take back in the future as the company grows and requires the extra square footage.
The finished space turned out absolutely beautiful! Pops of colour throughout the new office complement PagerDuty’s personality and brand, while the Toronto landmark named meeting spaces bring the city into this forward-thinking company.
