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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It was critical that SGH design a space that was a functional and efficient office space for Ivanhoe Cambridge that would reflect their company values and goals. Inspired by their new 7245 sq.ft. office in this modern industrial building, concrete, wood and dark metals were used throughout the space in combination with transparent glass which optimized the natural light and gave sightlines to the beautiful mountain and city views to the north.

Pops of blue, green, and orange are featured strategically throughout the office creating bold and fun accents that give the space a sophisticated, yet comforting feel. The space has elegant contrast with bright white counters and walls and dark metals, and lighting features throughout. These elements all work towards Ivanhoe Cambridge’s goal of a sophisticated atmosphere and leave you feeling inspired and ready to thrive in the workplace.

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PagerDuty retained SGH Design Partners 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 sq.ft. office. The brand focused space was designed with standardized benching stations, enclosed and open meeting spaces equipped with latest technology that were named after Toronto landmarks, and a large lunchroom with 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.

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Global Contract furniture group is a proudly Canadian owned and manufactured furniture company with headquarters in North Toronto, Ontario. With offices across Canada, it was time for Global’s location in Halifax to transition into a new space. As a proudly Canadian owned business as well, SGH Design Partners was happy to be retained by Global to help design and construct a furniture showroom to service the Atlantic Region.

The centralized location in Halifax, Nova Scotia was important for the showroom as they have many customers who they service within the city, but also were looking at providing a space for events, training, and gatherings for the design community. This new space is located on the ocean front with views into the Halifax harbour. A beautiful space full of natural light, the new office location of 5,000 sq.ft. was designed with flexibility and an open concept design in mind. As a showroom, Global required a space that could adapt as their products evolved over time. The new space is bright and vibrant, with an open and flexible floor plan which allows the Global team to respond to changing design trends and customer needs.

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The 15,000 SF flex building was compiled of cold concrete, stark white walls and 16-foot open ceilings. Through harmonious design and architecture, this space was transformed into an inviting workplace, reflecting their core values through a residential esthetic.

Conducting workshops, visioning and data gathering sessions were an integral part of the design evolution that gave insight to develop what the key design drivers would be, accessibility and collaboration. It was crucial that all of the partners involved in this project were on the same page and ensured flawless communication throughout. This allowed for the final creation of the holistic office space that was desired.

Keeping the perimeter clear provided an unobstructed view of the surrounding nature and allowed natural daylight to engulf the space, which prompted the design to mature into this bright open concept space. Low-profile furniture was selected to ensure visibility and sightlines were kept throughout the space, eliminating hierarchies within the office and allowed for this approachable and accessible office.

Working with a blank slate, and having a flex building, gave an endless amount of opportunity to create more than just your typical office space. This design build project was an interconnected team of moving parts. The overall solution required a problem-solving process, and a holistic design approach. Starting from the pouring of the concrete floor up, meant the design approach needed to be innovative. Implementing careful strategies were required in order to stay within the client’s budget while designing an environment that employees would look forward to working in. The Client’s authentic family connection inspired the team-based approach to the design solution. This in turn was led by the Client’s core values: integrity, respect, excellence, courage, openness and honesty.

The offices and meeting rooms were designed with glass walls to maintain an open feel throughout the entirety of the office. Having them centrally located with workstations, pause areas, and collaborative pockets would allow the remaining area to remain exposed to the building’s natural surroundings, filling the space with daylight. This layout enables the staff members to communicate effortlessly and collaborate seamlessly.

A harmonious blend between raw elements of earth, minerals and sediment, this concrete company paired more refined details to represent their welcoming culture. Electric Blue paint, inspired by their corporate colours, was incorporated into various accents throughout the office: from the large blue wall in the reception to the blue baffles suspended from the ceiling, every element in this space represents the Clients brand. This large-scale building covered in glazing was brought to life with white details, custom concrete countertops and warm toned woods to create a unified space.

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With space hard to come by in Vancouver they were excited to find a1950’s timber-built location in an up-and-coming neighbourhood complete with 12’ high ceilings and skylights that provided the volume and natural light needed to build out vertical displays to showcase their solutions. SGH’s focus was to work directly with the construction savvy client on transforming this uninspired quirky space into a working office, factory and marketing facility that clearly demonstrates the flexibility and design excellence in an energized, urban and vibrant space.

Innovior worked with SGH in the front-end discovery phase to share processes and knowledge of their methods to ensure a clear understanding of their goals and vision. The client wanted the space to reflect their own personal brand and commitment to design excellence. Summery colours, unexpected angles, smooth raw surfaces, fun pattern and texture all work to support an energized, professional, urban and innovative style.

The space could not be just beautiful, it had to be highly functional with working vertical displays, integrated technology, a virtual reality area and a series of vignettes highlighting healthcare, workplace and home environment scenarios. All of these have been incorporated in a unified and minimal way that feels straightforward, approachable and easily achieved. It was also important to display their commitment to sustainability and infuse a sense of health and wellbeing. This has been done using raw materials, a green wall, plants, large glass walls and open spaces allowing lots of natural light in.

The architectural envelope is clean, modern and neutral with a palette of materials, colour, and pattern unify. Bright white walls and angular timber frames are refined and minimal. Each space creates a new user experience, connected but are similar and cohesive. The construction of walls, doors, frames, millwork and features all work to demonstrate how effective off-site manufactured products can work together. Showcasing their raised floor system in reception, the inner workings of the raised floor are exposed in a defined rectangular space where you would typically expect a coffee table to sit. The mix of laminates and wood surfaces on walls show how their standard materials can be used. The space is also infused with an eclectic, youthful style giving it a casual and relaxed and homelike feel. Raw wood, crisp white walls, delicious fresh colours and lighting all play a part an integral role in building the story and culture. Accessories and artwork have been selected to really finish the space right through to the last detail.

The design approach is understated, timeless and classic. The overall needs to appeal to a culture that is approachable, warm, inviting and interactive. SGH wanted to embrace the quirky nature of the 1950s building yet transform it into a modern, fun, studio like space. It celebrates all that is great about this building, natural light, exposed wood ceilings, a good solid structure and unique changes in heights and depths that create subtle transitions and sightlines.

Culture was a big driver, so the design solution needs to foster a sense of community through a mix of warm materials, pattern, casual furniture, interesting light fixtures and summery accent colours.  The space needs to seamlessly demonstrate their capabilities and function as an office, showroom and workspace. The space is really relaxing so that customers do not feel overwhelmed by choice but rather inspired by potential and creativity. The integration of technology is subtle and does not overpower the spaces, it is a seamless part of the experience. The benefit of this design is the well-integrated mix of all the activities required to make their business successful and how the design solution maximized this potential. It includes office and workspace in proximity yet buffered from the busy showroom and workshops space. The space itself has been used to demonstrate the diversity of what their construction company can do for their clients, it supports leading edge technology that sets this company apart and it provides a fun, happy space where they can celebrate and meet to truly create amazing solutions for client, in partnership with architects and designers.

Client Statement

After 23 years in prefabricated construction this was my first opportunity to do something from scratch and purpose build for what we needed. It needed to serve the culture and people of our company. Areas to work, areas to educate, cultivate and socialize. It had to do these things in a similar way with the community that we work with and serve. It has become an epicenter for discovery for what could be and our message of Build better. It continues to foster collaboration and true sharing of ideas and all that come together continue to compliment us on this achievement. We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we can’t wait to do it all over again.

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Building with Green Initiatives has been a hot topic for quite some time. We have watched the conversation shift from solely an exterior focus on sustainability and green design, to a more open universal approach on interiors. Now more than ever there is an increased desire to ensure wellness in our workspaces, whether that be personally while working from home or in large scale office design settings and well, having a WELL certified designed space has become an increasingly desirable.

The International WELL Building Institute is committed “to advancing human health and wellness in building and communities around the world.” Creating better buildings that have the power to help individuals and communities thrive.

If last year has taught us anything, it is the importance of staying healthy and happy in our environments. With the sudden shift that halted the world, the importance for designing multifunctional spaces with wellness in mind has become critical in all design.

With this, the increase of knowledge has created this shift that is changing the way our spaces are not only being designer, but also are being built.

REAL ESTATE

Two thirds of real estate projects in Europe are pursuing WELL for Core and Shell. The developer’s doing this are fine tuning their offerings to suit the needs of both occupier and tenant.

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS

These are the second largest project types- employers are recognizing the need of expanding their corporate wellness programs so it includes workplace environments and the culture.

INDUSTRIAL, LEISURE + SENIOR LIVING

These are some of the new sectors that an interest has been peaked in applying health and well being practices. Some examples are industrial, and warehouse facilities, leisure complexes and senior living facilities.

There are seven main aspects or off shoots of WELL Design and ways that good design can translate this into useful and productive solutions

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How can our existing workplace environments shape shift to meet new and evolving needs? SGH is looking at ways to create more versatile spaces, that can transition more easily through change. Spaces that are thoughtfully designed to allow reconfigurability and allow user adjustability.

As many of our office space continues to remain unoccupied, we have taken this time to reflect and create steps that will help uncover what decisions can be made to help move forward confidently. More importantly, creating places that people cannot wait to get back to. Spaces that are adaptable, flexible, inspiring and provide a true sense of well-being.

Depending on your unique situation, lease, real estate investment, economics, and/or employee’s mindset, now is a great time to evaluate how you will prepare your future workplace. Our design strategy team understands the importance of designing adaptable spaces with longevity now more than ever. We continue to challenge ourselves to create environments that expand, contract, and adapt as needs change for our clients.

Beyond COVID, SGH Design Partners is looking forward to the future of work that includes changes in worker skills, roles and how technology may take on entirely new forms. To design spaces that have the opportunity to allow necessary flexibility continues to become increasingly more important. We are looking towards the future and adaptability in office design has so many different looks and purposes, we are here to help guide your space in the right direction for you.

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At SGH we thought it would be fun to ask our designers what they see for the future of workplace. As a full-service design company, you can imagine we are a creative group. We wanted our design team to think as outside of the box as they wanted, without limitations, and here are some of their thoughts on how, the future of workplace could look.

“We could go full extreme to virtual reality whereby we don’t have to leave where we live for work of any kind. Houses are built or retrofit with VR pods that you enter for the workday. Working hours become online and life hours become offline. A hard separation between work/life is maintained. A return to the 9-5 workday.”

“I think it may push companies to work more remotely. As that has already been a pretty big trend before all of this happened, I think this might just be an extra push”

“The future office will no longer be the conventional office that we have been designing in the past. Companies will need to look internally into what role the physical office means to their company.”

“For some, the majority of workers will remain working within the space, however common spaces and practices will change to accommodate physical distancing and smaller groups. This could potentially be linked to law offices and some formal financial institutions.”

“For others the office will become a resource centre, collaboration hub, and a space for workers to connect to the company they work for. A few will work within the office, the remainder working from home and coming into the office to collect mail, photocopy, fix IT issues and connect with other company members in social spaces designed to keep accommodate social distancing.”

“More hoteling stations – Many companies may be realizing how effectively work from home can be. With that, they may allow employees more remote working privileges even when it’s safe to return to work.”

“Integrating technology – Video calls will continue to be the way of the future, especially with limited travel. Integrating video calling capabilities into most meeting areas could become key.”

“I see it more like a “work oasis”, where people go to find: Inspiration, Innovation, High tech tools, find refuge (reverse from being at home)”

The new workplace includes people. It fosters friendlier and more flexible work settings which in turn cultivates business success.

What are some of your ideas for the future of workplace?

Resources:

The Important Difference Between Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality,Forbes,

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/07/19/the-important-difference-between-virtual-reality-augmented-reality-and-mixed-reality/?sh=5b066b8835d3 , Date Accessed July 2020

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