Engaged early in the process, SGH worked to assist Kearney in the decision-making process to determine the best solution for their future needs surrounding their Toronto office location. SGH conducted space studies for multiple locations including their current space which uncovered a relocation that was best suited for their evolving business needs.

With many of their staff consulting with clients off-site during the week, the office was designed as a hub to come together. Kearney adopted a model of unassigned seating, with large collaboration zones and enclosed spaces for virtual collaboration. Most importantly, the design of the new office brought together a large multipurpose room for all staff meetings which can be opened to the café to allow for organic movement between the two spaces and provides space to accommodate the entire team to foster culture and connection. This same space can also work as an enclosed meeting area for staff to utilize for more focused meetings. The café serves as an informal reception with bright colors, local artwork, and the incorporation of biophilia create a welcoming space that people want to come to.

Downsizing has become a popular strategy for many companies in the current business environment. With new hybrid work models emerging many companies are opting to reduce space and reevaluate how their workplace should function. In this article, we will explore why partnering with a design firm during the downsizing process is a valuable investment.

In the past, downsizing was negatively associated with densification, however, there has been a significant shift in mindset that is impacting how spaces are being planned and there is no one right answer.  Whatever your reason for downsizing, it is the ideal opportunity to align long-range business goals with real estate, operational costs and understand the best way to support your employees.  An experienced design team will guide this process strategically from start to completion to ensure your have a space that will work for you.

When downsizing, it’s crucial to strategize for the future. How will your real estate accommodate shifting requirements?  A strategic design process considers how you need to work, determines optimum use of square footage, understands constructability factors, and creates flexible solutions that align with your goals and objectives. This approach will save time, costs, and ensure your space will function well into the future.

A strategic design partner incorporates your values, brand, and vision to create a space that reflects an authentic image that will have a profoundly positive impact on employee engagement and sense of belonging.  A wholistic strategy will also address diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability initiatives that are fundamental today.

A design firm offers more than just aesthetics. When moving into a new space it’s essential to look at the function of the space including acoustics, lighting, privacy, community spaces, and technology integration. These factors play an important role in employee satisfaction, collaboration, productivity, and enjoyment of being in office.

Downsizing doesn’t mean compromising on design or efficiency. By consulting with a design firm, you can strategically navigate the downsizing process and create an office space that meets your current needs while accommodating future growth. From strategic planning to furniture selection and technology integration, a design firm brings expertise and experience to the table. The result is a timeless and truly inspired workplace.

Syngenta Canada underwent a full renovation to re-imagine their way of working in their existing office in Guelph. Syngenta occupies a the entire building, which consist of a mix of open workstations, offices, meeting rooms and large flexible space that provide choice of setting.

Through the course of this project, Syngenta began their movement to a new model of working with a combination of assigned and unassigned workspaces for their team members. Their vision for the new space included a large reception, which is adjacent to a large multipurpose space with an operable wall.

The end result is a beautiful space inspired by their surrounding landscapes. Embracing organic shapes, earthly tones and flexible work settings brought this beautiful space to life. The office includes flexible work areas that support a reconfiguring environment for a variety of functions including all-hands meetings or events, dedicated work zones, cafe, and calming reception.

As experts in workplace design, we are asked to provide insight into trends and share what other organizations are doing in response to the shifting landscape of work. Over the last two years the term hybrid has become quite the buzz word to describe a general approach to getting people back into the office with some degree of flexibility.

The volley between remote work and in office work continues to be played out, but what is clear is that not one solution works for everyone, and making assumptions is risky. The trend we are seeing today is designing for stability.

The evolution of hybrid

As businesses returned to the office post-COVID, hybrid described the perfect space that supports work life balance aligned with a mix of in-office and remote work. What we have experienced directly from our clients, however, demonstrated a slower transition that confirmed a reticence and deep sense of uncertainty to move too far from understood traditional approaches.

Hybrid may describe a space that provides all assigned seating with a requirement to work in office full time or a space that is fully agile with only bookable spaces. The term hybrid, therefore, started to blur and become somewhat meaningless. Build it and they will come? Conversations centered around what is best for people, the business, culture, purpose, and the future. This process of discovery is critical in driving straightforward solutions that provides long term stability that is also adaptable to inevitable change.

What is Designing for Stability?

In the fall out to the pandemic days of 2020, SGH has experienced a significant increase in the request for meaningful design strategy as our clients looked to position themselves differently, exploring options and the costs involved. The results have required solutions that provide a clear intent of use, stable yet adaptive furniture solutions, sensory driven amenity spaces that ensure a superior working environment that will draw people into the office.

Designing for stability is achieved through a streamlined design strategy process that gets to the heart of what your needs and objectives are, how your office will shape and support your unique community and culture so that the efforts are a success.

The term hybrid provided important context through an unpredictable time. It created a language we continue to use that describes how we will connect, collaboration and interface well into the future. The concept of hybrid is still valid, and it continues to inform the function of the evolving flexible office with permanent implications.

The relocation to 100 Queens Quay East doubled the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s footprint opening exciting opportunities. The new location offers an expanded iconic space with a beautiful terrace to refresh the event experience.  Establishing control over the use of public event space brought valuable gain for their own business goals, demonstrating a competitive and vital edge.  This destination space connects businesses to the programs, partners, and people they need to succeed in their organizations mission. It has enriched and opened its doors to a new up-and-coming city core community embracing its diverse and growing ecosystem.  It brings people together to work in a welcoming, flexible environment where seamless technology is integrated, easy to use and adaptable.  It is a place for building relationships with other business members, peers, mentors, and potential partners. Social interaction is proven to build bridges and opportunities, all encouraged in the variety of casual lounges, café or refresh spaces, outdoor terrace, and meeting spaces. The downtown location is accessible and in line with their mission to make Toronto one of the most competitive and sought after business regions in the world.

The understated approach to event hub on the third floor provides a modern, inspiring, backdrop with a full catering kitchen operated in trust by Oliver & Bonacini. It addressed all the design challenges they put forward – able to set up easily for: board meetings, training, lectures, media broadcasts, hosting cocktail parties, event spaces and many other kinds of functions.  It is designed for flexibility at its core.

The 16th floor work-space has brought employees back together, to collaborate, socialize and get a much-needed break from home office locations.  It is designed with purpose and integrity to support the people who make it a success.  It provides an ergonomic, healthy environment that staff and members can work in safely and comfortably.  It offers the right mix of activity-based spaces

It remained resilient and sustainable through a world health crisis, taking the lessons learned to heart to make it an even better space for everyone.  The outdoor terrace has been a fantastic value add with direct access to nature, sunshine, and the fresh waterfront breeze.  The open hearted and diverse spirit of Toronto is curated in the accessories, art, graphics, and furniture all carefully selected to elevate the end user experience.  It has wowed staff, visitors, and members alike.

The Impact of Tech Companies on Office Design

Tech companies have always been known for their innovative and forward-thinking approach to business. This includes the design and functionality of their office spaces. In this blog, we will explore how tech companies have influenced the way offices are designed and how employees interact with their work environment.

Revolutionizing the Workplace

Tech companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple forged new standards for office culture and design. These companies have understood how innovative work gets done in a well design office environment. They ushered in a culture of casual dress and a more relaxed atmosphere, including amenities spaces that provide pool tables, game rooms, and snack options for employees.

This trend has spread beyond Silicon Valley to companies all over the world, with subtle influences on more traditional professions like banking and legal. Culture driven spaces that are open, flexible and adaptable has become a popular strategy for many companies globally, with tech companies spearheading this transition to foster a more collaborative space with open communication among employees.

Tech’s Reaction to Covid

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, tech companies were already prepared to transition to remote work. Laptops were already widely implemented, making the immediate transition to strictly virtual a swift change. Because of this, the shift to remote work was relatively seamless for many tech companies, allowing them to continue operations with minimal disruption.

As the pandemic continued over the course of the last few years, the discussion about “the new normal” became imminent. Conversations around what this “new normal” would look like was a hot topic worldwide. Would work become entirely virtual, would we shift to a more hybrid approach working in and outside of the office, or will we be back to 100% in office?

The last few years gave many companies the opportunity to look within and discover what would work best for their needs and goals. The focus shifted from a 9-5, 5 days a week, in person model, to a more work-life balanced approach, with more flexibility for employees within remote work. We have seen many tech companies opt for the hybrid approach, deciding to mandate a minimum number of days in the office, while still allowing flexibility within their policies for their employees.

In May of 2022, Apple made the decision to transition from fully remote to a hybrid approach, mandating 3 days in the office, and 2 days remote. This change was immediately challenged by Apple Together, the employee advocacy group. The main reason given for the complaints were wasted hours commuting. When surveyed, 67% of employees from apple were unhappy with the return to office policy, and 56% stated they would be looking for job opportunities with other companies as a result.

Google has similarly initiated a hybrid approach and in November 2022, Twitter made the decision to mandate staff back in the office full time. The common theme for each of these companies when questioned about their in-office policy is, the best work requires in person collaboration, and in person training of junior employees benefits most from in person learning.

Interestingly the companies most capable of remote work, and first to go remote, have mandated some in office days. At SGH we are seeing similar patterns, which is why we developed our hybrid-work model (view more on this in our “Go Hybrid or Go Home” Blog). Your culture, focus, location, size, growth projections, and how you work and collaborate will all help to guide you to determine the best approach for finding the right work style that will best support the way you and your team work together.

Future Thinking

At SGH we design for all kinds of clients. Over the course of our 37 years of experience in the industry has taught us that change is imminent, but there is always consistency throughout. We have always designed for the workplaces of the future. Looking forward and doing our due diligence and research into what leaders in the industry are projecting. We have worked with a vast number of clients over the last two year, developing offices of all sizes, scales, and workstyles. Tech companies have always held a great influence in what the future holds, and they are a leader in trends we see across the globe. What we have experiences is that we all seek stability, collaboration, and community and in 2023 we are seeing trends targeted towards work-life balance, that benefit the employees and the companies needs equally.

 

References:

Apple and Twitter

Google 

Workplaces worth going to

The Future of Workplace: Unlock the potential of HYBRID

We cannot know exactly what the future holds but SGH does know how we work, continues to evolve. There has been a steady march towards remote work for the 37 years we have been in business. What is new is the acceleration of technology supporting a variety of work styles. As leaders look at what will work best for their business goals, design plays a strategic role in aligning people, objectives, and real estate.

HISTORY

Technology has enabled us to work from the office, home, and even other spaces. The idea of the “THIRD PLACE” was coined back in the 1980’s by Ray Oldenburg. The pandemic demonstrated on a global scale what this can look like, and this blending of work is now labelled HYBRID. SGH utilize our 37 years’ experience designing across a workplace spectrum that understands 100% assigned to 100% remote environments. We know what planning strategies have adapted well to change.

RESEARCH

As how we work continues to shift, our research indicates that 60% of organizations want their people back in the office but recognise some flexibility is good for our environment, and employee’s health and well-being. Human connection is still valued over digital formats; however, remote work offers organizations access to a diverse set of skills, experiences and opportunities that may not sit in a fixed location. The workplace, therefore, offers unlimited potential in connecting people to their work across a variety of platforms.

FUTURE

SGH works with clients to envision the future of work to set a clear path forward. The strategy aligns with real estate, construction, budgets, building codes and schedules. It is a full process that brings your space to life for the long haul. We integrate planning, furniture, audio visual and your culture to create an inspiring and productive workplace. Building spaces that are future proofed takes the risk out of complex decisions. The potential is limitless but need not be revolutionary. Work continues to be about people collaborating for a common purpose. A great office will continue to support these efforts through change, which we know will most certainly come.