While the show takes place in downtown Toronto, it hosts products and brands from around the world, blurring the lines between ‘here’ and ‘there’. Products like pottery from India, using traditional materials and techniques, and stone sourced exclusively from Italy and Spain show how an eclectic approach to design can create a harmonious environment. Even incorporating tropical plants, textured textiles, and bright colours can be attributed to an increasing appreciation for international influences. As the world becomes increasingly connected, and our experiences less defined by our geography, our spaces reflect the richness of this growing global culture.

One of the most prevalent trends at this year’s show was a return to natural materials, specifically Canadian wood. Raw and unfished pine, cedar, and maple, as well as particleboard, and live edge pieces were central to many of this year’s exhibits. Their striped down quality highlights the story behind the material, giving it an emotionally charged quality. Unfinished wood also has a distinct scent, creating an almost immersive experience that connects us to the landscape where these products come from. As the design industry continues to focus on sustainability and wellness, this minimalist approach to incorporating nature makes this trend one of the strongest movements in the design industry.

The Interior Design Show always showcases the latest developments in technology for interior environments. This year there was a strong focus on user-centered technology like app controlled coloured lights and opacity changing glass. Their programmable nature allows users to create unique scenes that completely customize their environment. The success of immersive art and exhibits worldwide has pushed the design world to increase the scale and capability of interior technology. Large LED screens displaying lifelike scenes can be mounted on virtually any surface, allowing users to create their own immersive gallery experience. The user-friendly nature of these experiences makes creating complex and dynamic environments more accessible to everyday users.

Trends can feel like cause and effect. The increasing use of bright, saturated colours used monochromatically throughout a space feels like a counter movement to the pastels and achromatic palettes of previous years. Elements like statement walls painted in a vibrant hue, or a richly coloured piece of statement furniture can add an element of confidence and personality to a space. While soft pastels and creamy palettes are still very popular, dramatic colour is one of this year’s biggest new trends.

As designers, we have a responsibility to the people who use our spaces, their communities, and the environment. Some of the most prominent narratives at the IDS were many social issues facing Toronto and the global design world. Conceptual projects that address issues like the housing crisis, ageing in place, and the climate crisis were some of the most powerful displays at this year’s IDS. These exhibitors remind us how impactful our work can be, and, because of this, that we have a responsibility to more than our clients. These projects go beyond current trends to unite us through our shared humanity.

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Three reasons why it may be time to re-imagine your office space

Growth

Have you experienced substantial growth?  Now may be the time to consider updating your space to accommodate your new and growing needs.  SGH works with many clients prior to lease negotiations to ensure the most efficient use of space that best supports how you will work now and into the future.  Location, budget, program analysis, design, furniture, and technology all play a critical role in the overall success.  Strategic design drives your project forward with clear goals before the lease is signed.

Functionality

Have your workplace needs shifted and you’re finding they no longer accommodate the needs of your team?  Through our envisioning process, SGH will guide you with confidence in establishing your programmatic requirements, team needs, and workplace cultural expectations.  From there we can design and develop a space that is tailored to your functional needs and company culture.  We understand your workplace is an extension of your mission, values and culture.  It connects people and place.  SGH brings incredible value through years of experience, research and strategy.  We look at all the critical details to ensure the result provides you and your people the very best experience.  As workplaces continue to evolve, design continues to be a catalyst for great opportunities.

Reducing Space

Have you recently reduced your footprint and are looking to adjust your space to fit your new needs?  SGH can assist in space planning and test-fitting, helping to guide you on how to best utilize your space to accommodate these changes.  SGH is here to support you.  We start by understanding your existing and new needs to build a foundation that allows for a seamless transition from design to implementation.

Have a question about how SGH can help you in the pre-lease stage. Contact us today!

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Space-as-a-Service

Space-as-a-Service businesses provide flexible work environments that are leased on an as needed basis. The concept was normalized by companies like WeWork, Regus, and SPACES who focused on flexible, vibrant, and youthful coworking spaces.  The concept has since matured, and more Space-as-a-Service businesses are emerging, looking to offer a wider variety of coworking experiences.  They carefully review local business needs, customers and location.

Future of Space-as-a-Service

SGH worked with ModSpace Atlantic, to convert 3 existing vacant spaces they owned, into a fully flexible workplace that offers premium features, services, IT and security.  Their goal was to create an “elevated, contemporary and light-filled” space that caters to evolving workplace needs and provides a truly inviting workplace experience. Space as a Service does two great things; provide desirable, alternative solutions for people and organizations who do not want to take on the risk of long-term leases and they are revitalizing existing spaces, that were otherwise sitting empty, which helps to keep buildings and neighbourhoods vital places.

An increasing division between good and not great real estate is increasing, as Class A buildings, in prime locations continue to keep tenants but with Class B and C buildings starting to empty out impacting both property value and neighbourhood vibrancy.  Space as a Service provides an ideal workspace with attractive services, comfort, and functionality in alternative locations where this likely does not exist, meeting a new demand.

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Modspace retained SGH for their Dartmouth location on the corner of Highway 111 and Burnside Drive. The elevated design and careful attention to detail provide a unique environment for their members. Shared amenities such as the meeting rooms, lunchroom, document services, and breakout spaces ensure that its use is inviting for those who work in and visit the space. Their new space sets the standard of co-working spaces high.

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SGH was retained by this forward-thinking Client, Puma, for interior design services of their space in Toronto, Ontario. Taking the inspiration from Puma’s “Forever Faster” brand strategy, the goal for the space was to support the need to be fast in reacting to trends and executing innovative ideas.

This brand message is communicated by every architectural product selection – from finish to branding. The look and feel of the space speaks to the raw, gritty and dynamic culture of the Puma brand.

The showroom’s location close to Pearson International airport supports ease and speed of moving product and people. It’s edgy colour, lighting and detailing express the brand’s confident personality and tempo: a bold red stripe on the floor; linear fixtures representing the ribs of the iconic cat.

The symmetrical arrangement of the lighting with the carpet has a kinetic, energized feeling. The bold stripe connects the elements of the space emphasizes the linear planning. The path to the centrally located glass encased showroom is clad with large changeable graphics that express the Puma’s attitude and brand values.

This timeless space is contributing to the Canadian success of an iconic brand, inspiring sales, and customer loyalty.

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We are all experiencing change and the impact it is having on our office spaces. For some, a wait and see approach with minor adjustments to increase collaboration and focus is realistic. Others are embracing the hybrid work model but need to adjust existing space to support an increase in connecting remotely. SGH continues to work with valued clients who have made transformational shifts to agile, activity-based workplaces and our envision toolkit was highly effective in moving them through this process.

Regardless of where you sit on this sliding scale, the desire to provide an inspiring workplace that supports your people is still as relevant as it ever was, perhaps even more. SGH have been transforming workplaces for 35 years and design strategy has always been the key to our approach and success.

Pagerduty

Design Strategy prepares your space for ongoing change.

TIER ONE – Planning for NOW:
SGH meet with you to review expectations, see your existing space, and uncover key objectives and drivers. Through space use analysis, test fits and thought starters we present clear visual solutions that champion your internal decision-making process.

TIER TWO – Planning for TRANSITION
In continuum to Tier One, Tier Two kicks off with an interactive workshop that ushers in critical information. This important session encourages open conversation with leadership regarding workplace must haves, culture + brand, long view goals, and building a defined set of guiding principles.

TIER THREE – Planning for the FUTURE
Transformational change is more successful when you engage those it will most impact. Tier Three includes reaching out to stakeholders, managers and employees through surveys, questionnaires, and interactive workshops. The results create a strategic framework and communication strategy that will drive your project forward in a positive inclusive direction.

KPM Industries

Envision Strategy is upfront planning to ensure the very best outcome. As design thinkers, we provide an engaging experience to get to the core of what you need your workplace do specifically for you. Leaders know that the best results are achieved when you envision where you need to go, determine the best way to get there and understand how the cost behind it. It tests options so that you can select the best choice and move forward with a thorough understanding and confidence in your decision.

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Our three studios across Canada, complement of over 30 talented designers, are ideally sized to respond to projects of all scales and complexities. We are well versed and trained in international trends and incorporate that knowledge into our design development. Our commercial and office interior design studio is based on innovative thinking, collaborative approaches supported by an open environment allowing creativity to reach its highest levels.

With each sector comes a new client with unique design feature requirements. Over our 35 years of experience, we have fine-tuned our expertise in each business sector. After carefully listening to our clients, we create a solution-based approach based on our Envision Strategy. A hallmark of SGH’s work is the level of personal attention and involvement of the leadership team in all projects. Our clients value the agility of the SGH team and our ability to respond to schedule and budget challenges with fresh and innovative solutions.

At SGH our methodology is simple, and we break it down into three keywords. Culture. Care. Create.

Culture. We are here to understand who you are and how your workplace functions best.

Care.  At SGH Design Partners we listen to your needs and help guide you towards a design solution custom to you.

Create. SGH is proud to design transformative environments for our clients across Canada and we are grateful to work alongside our partners in this industry to continue building the workplaces of the future.

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