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EATE FIRM PROFILE 56 years of design excellence
“Google’s workplace environments are a critical part of our culture, crafted in ways that encourage collaboration and creativity while promoting happier and healthier Canooglers (Canadian Googlers). ” -- Chris O’Neil, Managing Director, Google Canada
Firm Profile
In Canada since 1997, HOK has over 150 people in its Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver offices. Architects, interior designers, workplace strategists, landscape architects, planners, graphic designers, and space programmers work in collaboration. This ensures a consistent vision throughout a project, from its overall design concept to the smallest, carefully considered details. HOK combines global reach with local expertise. We have offices around the world, which means that projects everywhere benefit from a team of experts with both international perspective and intimate knowledge of regional clients and market intelligence. HOK’s Canadian teams offer experience in almost every sector: healthcare, corporate, retail, hospitality, science and technology, residential, education, government, justice and institutional. Every project is an opportunity to champion environmental responsibility. We have pioneered sustainable design for more than 15 years with books, research, and a commitment to the environment that is integrated into all our design and service businesses. Our creative problem-solving and client-based services result in loyal clients and successfully completed projects.
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Ways You Will Benefit With HOK on Your Project
Strategic Problem Solving: HOK understands strategic and facilities planning, corporate finance and capital investment, organizational structure, decision-making methods and information analysis. Whether you are relocating, renovating, building anew, rebranding, amalgamating or diversifying, HOK can help you succeed in today’s competitive economy. Breadth and Depth of Knowledge: HOK works in more than a dozen market sectors. With knowledge and research shared across the firm’s 23 offices, the cross-fertilization of ideas sparks innovative solutions that will benefit your organization. HOK has designed and delivered P3 projects in North America and Europe in both compliance and consortia participation. Team Leadership: HOK has successfully managed large multidisciplinary teams of consultants working on demanding complex projects around the world. Best practices, tools and protocols are in place to guide your project to success. With HOK you can trust that your project will proceed smoothly and seamlessly. Design Creativity: HOK has gained international awards for its creative design solutions. Whether you need a landmark building to attract donors, cutting-edge office environment to draw workers, or a refreshed retail brand to stay competitive, HOK can meet your needs. Green Expertise: HOK’s Sustainable Design Group can help develop new green operations plans, green new or existing buildings, even design entire green communities. Our sustainably focused services brings new life to existing buildings and optimize the impact of occupants on achieving energy conservation initiatives.
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International Resources: HOK has offices around the world. No matter the location, your project will benefit from our understanding of international standards, business procedures and technological solutions. Multi-disciplinary Teams: HOK has a full range of design professionals including architects, urban planners, programmers, space planners, interior designers, brand specialists, graphic designers and landscape architects. Our multi-disciplinary approach ensures that the design of your entire project is consistent, from the overall concept to the smallest detail. Consensus Building: HOK’s Problem Seeking® methodology will help you and your stakeholder groups simplify seemingly complex problems and develop solutions that can be successfully implemented. Because our methodology covers qualitative (goals and concepts) and quantitative (facts and needs) information, consensus will be achieved quickly and effectively. Technology: HOK uses Building Information Modeling (BIM), a design and documentation methodology that makes available coordinated, computable information about a building project early in design and develops into a single model that can be shared with engineers, construction teams and facilities managers. Project Management: HOK has refined its system of processes and procedures over many years and projects. Recognizing that every client has a different organizational structure and decisionmaking processes, HOK will tailor the way it works to suit your needs.
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RE S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y Leading the way in sustainable design
services Architecture Consulting Engineering Interior Design Landscape Architecture Lighting Design Planning + Urban Design Product Design Renovation + Restoration Strategic Accounts Sustainable Consulting Visual Communications
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global
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Aviation + Transportation Civic + Cultural Commercial Corporate Education Government Healthcare Hospitality Justice Residential Retail + Mixed Use Science + Technology Tall Buildings
working
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200+ green certified projects
sectors globally
firsts
LEED-certified airport terminal
LEED-certified embassy LEED-Gold project in Latin America LEED-CI certified project in Singapore LEED-NC Platinum project in Saudi Arabia LEED-CI Gold project in the UK LEED Gold airport building in India
Ranked Top
Role M o d el fo r S u s t ain a ble + Hig h Pe r fo r m a n c e D e sig n Design Intelligence, four consecutive years
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LEED Registered
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740+ LEED
Credentialed Professionals
As one of the world’s most influential design firms, HOK accepts a responsibility to incorporate measurable, sustainable outcomes into everything we do.
Our Commitment to Sustainability We have been a leader in sustainability since the days when it was known simply as environmentally responsible design. In 1993, we made it official by establishing sustainable design as a core value. We’re proud of what we have helped our clients accomplish and of HOK’s reputation as a worldwide leader in sustainability. But the future demands much more.
We wrote the books
HOK’s global practice partners with clients to be responsible stewards for the environment. Our collaborative, multidisciplinary design process blends art and science to create optimal, sustainable and beautiful environments that provide value for our clients, satisfy people’s needs, and help sustain the planet. Leadership We deliver sustainable solutions for every building type, region and budget. This has led to numerous sustainable firsts and accolades. GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy
Innovation From our alliance with Biomimicry 3.8, to our FIT tool, Process Zero design and net zero projects, we are pushing into new frontiers. Action Our actions are guided by a Sustainable Roadmap and Operations Plan. We have signed on to The 2030 Challenge and the AIA’s 2030 Commitment. Measurement We achieve measurable outcomes. We provide design analysis services, follow a “6 Steps to Energy Optimization” process and use BIM to forecast and monitor performance.
The New Sustainable Frontier P R I N C I P L E S O F S U S TA I N AB L E D E V E L O P M E N T September 2009
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I n te g r a t i n g c r e a t i v i t y, s u s t a i n a b i l i t y, and design excellence
Valued Clients HOK has had the privilege of working with over 400 corporations including the following: Accenture Alberta Energy Regulator Alberta Health Services Alliance Films Allstate Altus Group American Express Anderson Advertising AOL APEX ATB Financial Bank of America Bank of Canada Bank of Montreal Bell Mobility Bell World Blakes Cassels & Graydon Blast Radius Borden Ladner Gervais Bosch Bridgestone Cadillac Fairview Canada Life Canada Post Canadian Tire Canadian Welding Bureau Carleton University CBRE Cisco
CIBC Cohn & Wolfe Concord Adex Delta Hotels Dentons Direct Energy Embridge EMI Music EY GE Capital GlaxoSmithKline Google Government of Canada Halifax Regional Library Hatch Limited Hill + Knowlton Strategies Honda HBC HSBC Humber College Inscape Janssen-Ortho JTI-Macdonald Corporation JWT Marsh & McLennan Mazda MEC MediaCom McDonald’s
McCarthy Tetrault MindShare Motorola Ontario Parks OpenText Ottawa Police Service Oxford Properties Pacific Gas & Electric Pfizer Powerstream RBC Rogers Communications RSA Insurance Shell Siemens Sun Life Financial TD Bank Financial Group Thales Group Toyota University Health Network University of Alberta University of Calgary University of Guelph VIA Rail Warner Music Whirlpool Wunderman WPP Young & Rubicam
Capital One Canada Head Office Toronto, Ontario
Capital One Canada had outgrown its office space and recognized that it needed a fresh image that supported its brand. Attracting the best and brightest MBA graduates and financial professionals was of the utmost importance. HOK used its Problem Seeking Methodology and Capital One’s integrated employee satisfaction program to develop the strategy for the new work environment. In a radical departure from its American counterparts where employees worked in paneled 8’ x 8’ areas or 12’ x 12’ rooms, Capital One Canada implemented a different workplace concept. Every employee had a 30” x 72” desk, storage tower and mobile side table within the open space. The entire office, including meeting rooms and the staff lounge, became everyone’s light-filled workspace. The new office had the highest user satisfaction rating of all Capital One offices in North America. When Capital One needed an even larger office, it turned again to HOK. Although the second office was double in size, its philosophy and look remained the same. A third project took place a few years later, expanding the company onto two additional floors.
Honda Canada Headquarters Markham, Ontario
The campus features three separate, interconnected buildings: a fourstorey, 150,000 sq. ft. head office building; a 70,000 sq. ft. singlestorey technical centre that accommodates research and development, engineering and training; and a 250,000 sq. ft. parts distribution centre. During the course of the initial project visioning sessions, the design team identified good connectivity as a top priority for the new facility. The office component and training centre were placed immediately adjacent to one another to encourage communication and collaboration between their approximately 700 associates. The campus embodies a high level of sustainability in support of Honda’s own environmental strategies and has achieved a LEED-NC Gold certification. As part of the sustainability strategy, the building’s narrow floor plate places all occupants within eight meters of the continuous, ribbon windows in workstations with low panels to take advantage of the natural light and views. This jibes with Honda’s corporate culture, which places everyone, including senior executives, in an open office to encourage communication. HOK in joint venture with ZAS Architects.
Dentons Canada LLP Corporate Office Vancouver, British Columbia
The design of Denton’s new office had to appeal to two separate audiences: clients and employees. Clients appreciate Dentons as trusted, highly ethical business advisors and expect its offices to reflect its progressive practice. Unlike many other major law firms, Dentons adheres to a non-hierarchical philosophy, and the new offices had to project the sense of collegiality that would attract and retain top talent. The focus of the office is the existing circular staircase, opened up to the surrounding views, that connects all four levels of the office space. The staircase provides a dramatic transition for clients moving from reception and meeting rooms down to the more informal café and outdoor patio. The staircase also encourages communication among all practice areas and employees. The Library is located in open space on two levels around the staircase. Lawyers and support staff share the single café, and coffee bars and lounges are provided throughout all levels. The new offices are LEED Gold Certified and incorporate a wide range of green initiatives that encourage employees and suppliers alike to adopt sustainable practices.
Warner Music Canada Head Office Toronto, Ontario
Home to some of the best known record labels, Warner Music Canada wanted a hip, forward-looking design for its new Canadian head office. One of the challenges was to balance the opposing needs of “headsdown” business teams and “volume-up” music promotion teams. Each group is located within a distinct work “neighbourhood” that connects to a central, multi-purpose community square. The square is designed to encourage interaction among the two groups, their customers, and artists. A sliding “stage-door” opens up the presentation room to the square for musical events and evening functions. Natural, raw materials and carefully lit volumes create the night club “cool” atmosphere while the clean lines and crisp forms convey a professional image. To complement the business of music, the office environment was augmented with residential style of furniture to create a more relaxed feeling. The building’s full-height windows create the sense of a “display case” around the workspace. By locating all built elements at the interior core, all employees have orientation to the outside.
AOL
Corporate Offices Toronto, Ontario For AOL Canada’s Toronto office, HOK created a new work environment that promotes collaboration, makes daylight accessible to all and will attract and retain the very best talent. With its exposed brick walls and ceiling beams, the two-floor, 15,000 sq. ft. space reflects AOL’s edgy, youthful, innovative and socially engaged culture. Designed to LEED Gold standards, the office’s two floors are organized around a central bay and connected by an open stair flanked by café/ lounge/entertainment space. Workstations line the perimeter with business groups accommodated in interactive casual spaces. Meeting spaces of various sizes have either formal settings or lounge-like furniture. The overall feeling is inviting and eclectic. The neutral colour and materials palette provides a backdrop to AOL’s commissioned branding and leading edge technology.
University of Guelph
Centre for Biodiversity Genomics Guelph, Ontario The Biodiversity Institute of Ontario was expanded to include a new research facility to support the study of DNA-based approaches for biodiversity analysis and enhance the University’s reputation as a world leader in DNA bar-coding. The 37,700 sq. ft. specialized infrastructure includes a bio-informatics forum, a plant and animal collections facility with dry and wet labs, and augmented DNA sequencing instrumentation. The design was inspired as a result of BIO’s newest initiative, the International Barcode of Life (iBOL), which is a system for both identifying known species and discovering new ones. The project emulates the flora and fauna species (moths + butterflies), dividing the building into two ‘wings’ – administration to the west and laboratories to the east. The wings are linked by a common two-storey atrium that has informal and formal collaboration areas, and is naturally lit by a floor-toceiling curtain wall, featuring tinted glazing in organic colours. A rainwater retention system was integrated into the design to minimize the buildings operating costs by capturing precipitation for landscaping purposes and sustainable and regional materials were incorporated wherever possible.
Keshen Goodman Library Halifax, Nova Scotia
Located at the entrance to the environmentally-sensitive woodlands of the Mainland Common Gateway, the Keshen Goodman Library is the first phase of a development that includes a community recreation and sports centre. HOK’s master plan established development guidelines for the library and recreational facility, identifying resources that can be shared between the buildings and determining each building’s position and form on the site. This library was designed with intensive and spirited community input – a Maritime tradition. One main concern of the local residents was the preservation of trees and scenic views. The architectural solution was a 20-foot-high steel and glass box. Its green hue and tree-like structure connect with the surrounding woodlands. Exterior finishes of indigenous blue stone and cedar fit easily into the landscape. A lofty roof floats above the book stacks and computer workstations like the canopy of the forest. Interiors exemplify the improved service orientation of the new facility with convenient internal layouts and displays that promote library services and collection resources.
TD Online Channel Corporate Offices Toronto, Ontario
TD Bank Financial Group‘s Online Channel is responsible for designing, building and supporting flexible online platforms and mobile applications. The design of its new workspace is based upon TD’s Agile Workspace Strategy (AWS), developed by HOK as part of its ongoing work with TD. The AWS Standard is a considerable departure from TD’s typical highpaneled workstations, yet is consistent with the TD standard fit-out package and incorporates existing suppliers’ furniture and carpet. The open concept, with a variety of collaborative spaces and moveable furniture, encourage spontaneous interaction. Most walls have writable surfaces. All meeting areas and the café are equipped with multiple data jacks for connectivity and are wired to flat screen monitors. The design takes full advantage of the views and daylight afforded by the building’s full-height glazing. The centrally located café is the social heart of the office as well as its central meeting space. A graphic installation features words of inspiration and innovation and represents the Online Channel brand: seamless, effortless, legendary, and world-class.
Hill + Knowlton Strategies
Corporate Office Vancouver, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Calgary, Alberta HOK was contracted by Hill + Knowlton Strategies, Canada’s top-rated public affairs and public relations consultancy, to develop the interior fit-out of their new offices in Edmonton and Vancouver, and make renovations to existing office in Calgary. In preparation for the project, HOK worked with Hill + Knowlton in developing new workstations standards to be implemented in each of the offices. The new premises were reviewed, and HOK and the client determined which existing partitions, doors, and frames were to be retained as part of the new design. Although Hill + Knowlton did not pursue LEED certification, sustainable materials and processes were implemented wherever possible. HOK successfully adhered to a tight timeline, completing the renovation of Hill+Knowlton’s 12,000 sq. ft. Calgary office in a record six weeks, from start to move-in date.
University of Calgary ICT Building Calgary, Alberta
The 190,000 sq. ft. ICT Building is a showcase for inter-faculty group dynamics. The new home for the departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering is not only a teaching and research facility, it is a major campus centre with places for gathering, eating, shopping, and relaxation. The project answers the demands of increasing enrolment and the need for greater partnering opportunities with the technology industry. HOK’s mandate was to establishing a common vision for the project by facilitating a three-day visioning session with faculty members where fresh air was identified as a key issue. The design solution: perimeter offices with operable windows and maximum natural light. All classroom seats/tables are fully wired with fiber optics and power allowing students full connectivity and classrooms utilize smart-board technology enabling direct information flow from professor to student via the university network. In addition to the passive ventilation system and high-performance building envelope, the sustainable features include North America’s first structural slab radiant cooling system. Architect of Record: Stantec Architecture; Collaborating Architect and Consultant: HOK.
Carleton University Landscape Ecology Lab Ottawa, Ontario
The Landscape Ecology Centre occupies Levels 4 and 5 of Carleton’s National Wildlife Research Centre. The fit-up included the provision of special purpose laboratory areas and a suite of office and support accommodation. One of the key design considerations was flexibility to accommodate unpredictable future changes in program and technologies. The research spaces permit a wide range of scientific investigations, and the robust, non-constraining services infrastructure can be easily reconfigured in a multitude of ways. Architect of Record: HOK; Prime Consultant: Morrison Hershfield.
MindShare
Corporate Office Toronto, Ontario MindShare wanted to visually communicate its creative approach to business and the important symbiotic relationship between clients and employees. Working within the constraints of a limited schedule and budget, HOK and MindShare worked together to implement a design where the architecture and fixtures provide a backdrop for images illustrating MindShare’s expanding portfolio, employee contributions and brand. Powered by intelligence and creativity, the combined efforts of MindShare and HOK realized the full potential of the client’s design investment.
Humber College Student L Building Toronto, Ontario
Funded under the Government’s Knowledge Infrastructure Program, client design objectives were to create a new centrepiece on Humber College’s Lakeshore Campus, the historically designated site of the Old Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital. The design had to respect the cultural nature of the site, complement the existing historical buildings, and assist in developing the site as the primary location for the degree program. The new 90,000 sq. ft. building is the focal point for the collaborative, creative and expressive arts community at the campus. Designed to promote and enrich the student experience as well as resident and visiting faculty, program elements include the Information Commons, a large variety of student study and social spaces, the campus cafeteria, classrooms, administrative offices, and the Digital Media and Communications Centre. The design complements the scale of the existing historical buildings and the material palette is subdued in deference to the surrounding context. In spite of the aggressive schedule, the HOK team engaged in extensive research and study into the site’s history and facilitated an interactive design process with faculty and students.
CIBC
Branches and Corporate Offices Across Canada HOK is responsible for architectural and interior design services for CIBC branch and corporate office projects across Canada. The portfolio consists of approximately 1,050 branch locations comprising 6,000,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 5,500,000 sq. ft. of corporate office space. Corporate projects range from small furniture reconfigurations to multiple-floor office interior projects and re-stacks. Retail work includes everything from signage and merchandising design and rollout to architectural and interior design of new branches. Specific assignments have included: the development of new architectural and interiors prototypes for branch and corporate space; investigation of work styles and development of alternate workplace concepts; development and maintenance of comprehensive design standards for corporate and retail facilities; branch Accessibility Audits; and sustainability surveys and strategic consulting.
Cisco Systems
Customer Briefing Centre & Field Sales Offices Toronto, Ontario
Cisco Toronto Field Sales Office (FSO) incorporated the latest Cisco Workplace Standards which transformed their spaces into a highly mobile workplace and aligned with their changing business needs. By consolidating Cisco’s space requirements, supported in part by the integration of a robust IT and technology investment, better utilization of the existing space, and an increase of client demo rooms and meeting/ training facilities was achieved. The Toronto FSO Client Briefing Centre (CBC) integrates, displays and demonstrates some of Cisco’s Advance and emerging technologies in a state-of-the-art facility driven by 18 racks of Cisco gear and AV hardware. Incorporation of branding and signage elements into the design of the facility ensured Cisco’s brand was clearly part of both the customer and employee experience.
Royal Sun Alliance (RSA) Corporate Offices Toronto, Ontario
RSA wanted their new environment to reflect the innovation, collaboration and client-focused approach they bring to the insurance business. HOK initiated the project with a Vision Session to define the vision and goals of the new headquarters. Once the direction was set, HOK met with all departments to understand how they would work in the new environment and identify their needs and ideal adjacencies. These were then compared to the results of HOK’s Nature of Work web-survey that obtained input from all RSA staff. The new space standards and planning principles reduce the number of enclosed offices and increase open office areas. The 110,000 sq. ft. space features universally accessible daylight, cafés, lounges and areas for professional meetings, complete with a wide range of gathering spaces. HOK created a workspace that embraces RSA’s past and future, utilizing a fresh look while preserving the firm’s brand and displaying its much-valued artifacts. The client floor maintains a comfortable residential feel making guests feel welcome. The adjacent employee cafeteria does double-duty as a client coffee bar, and the promenade encourages informal meetings and client entertaining.
Carleton University Chemistry SuperLab Ottawa, Ontario
The SuperLab was born out the University’s desire to increase student capacity of the existing facility, while heightening the department’s profile within the broader academic community. The existing facility had not been significantly updated since the 1960s and needed a major overhaul. The design solution consolidated four existing chemistry labs, supporting preparation labs and shared balancing rooms into a unified, eye-catching and highly functional learning facility. Consolidation not only increased capacity but also yielded the safest possible equipment layout complete with barrier-free access. The new design also engaged the ring corridor as part of the teaching environment by introducing chalkboards for impromptu collegial discussions, as well as capturing one leg of the ring corridor for the modular preparation labs. Activating adjacent areas and consolidating learning spaces transformed the space into a high-capacity, equipmentdriven teaching machine. Architect of Record: HOK; Prime Consultant: Morrison Hershfield.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada St. Andrews Biological Station St. Andrews, New Brunswick
The 84,000 sq. ft. project consist of a marine biology research facility located at the historic St. Andrews Biological Station on the St. Croix River at the Bay of Fundy. The expansion program is driven by the need to attract and retain top research talent. Included in the program are two new research facilities, renovations to existing structures, a review of the overall site master plan, and a new wastewater treatment system. The new Science Building houses analytical and computer labs, reference library, administration, and other support services. This is the “front door� for the entire station and provides a focus for the revitalized lower plateau. The new Wet Lab Building houses an experimental aquaculture tank environment along with necessary prep and support facilities. There is extensive servicing and significant restrictions on the control of biocontamination and lights. Accounting for the high humidity levels and the pervasive salt water environment were unique challenges. HOK designed a contemporary, flexible research environment that reflects the heritage of St. Andrews and the broader Maritime context.
Killbear
Visitor Centre Nobel, Ontario With its dramatic view of Georgian Bay, the Visitor Centre is inspired by the site’s geomorphology. The project’s mandate was to achieve natural heritage and ecosystem enhancement objectives in tandem with the public education and interpretation goals. HOK’s response is a building that shifts, cants, twists, and slopes like the surrounding landscape. Perched on a rock ledge, it stretches out parallel to the rock folds that cascade towards the water. The east and west elevations lean away from the water’s edge, seemingly swept by the Georgian Bay winds. An almost continuous line of glazing around the building’s perimeter suggests a horizon line and allows an uninterrupted view of the surrounding landscape. Windows are carefully located to frame views of the sky and specific trees and rocks. The circulation path through the centre mimics the rock plates that cascade down to the water and leads visitors on a continuous route, without stairs or elevators, through two levels of exhibits, support spaces, and a film theatre. The building exhibits a fully integrated vision of environmental stewardship throughout.
Peter Lougheed Centre Alberta Health Services Calgary, Alberta
The Peter Lougheed Centre represents a major redevelopment of the hospital to achieve the region’s aims for more community-based beds and services. The extensive expansion and renovation will help meet the needs of Calgary’s rapidly growing population as well as the shift towards greater outpatient care. The hospital always had a vision of providing the best environment possible to aid patients’ recovery, and at the same time providing staff the best possible environment to carry out the complex stressful task of caring for them. This philosophy has been carried through on many fronts – colours, lighting, textures, patterns and materials have all been carefully selected to arrive at not only a great space for patients but also as a workplace of choice. The sustainable pilot project adds 390,000 sq. ft. of new space to the existing hospital. HOK in collaboration with Marshall Tittemore Architects.
Hatch
Corporate Office Mississauga, Ontario Although engineering firm Hatch depends on team-work and collaboration, its offices supported individual work and its furniture systems didn’t allow for teams to expand and shrink easily. Hatch needed work environments that would improve project team productivity, use space more efficiently and help attract and retain talented engineers. Working with Steelcase Applied Research and Consulting, HOK conducted employee surveys, leadership interviews, user workshops and building analyses over two months. Standards and strategies were then developed for Hatch offices worldwide. “We” spaces were expanded from 4% to 26%, while “I” spaces decreased from 93% to 70%, all without increasing the overall real estate requirements. Key spaces include a Media Café, Rendezvous Spaces and technology-enhanced Smart Rooms for individuals or groups. HOK then implemented a pilot project in a new four-storey LEEDcertified building in Mississauga. The 100,000 sq. ft. office promotes effective team collaboration and innovation, and provides flexibility for teams to expand and contract quickly and easily.
Tech Company
Canadian Headquarters - Corporate Office Toronto, Ontario HOK worked with the company to design new workplace stacked over five floors in a heritage building in Toronto’s downtown core. The workplace provides an environment that sparks imagination while being anchored with well-designed ergonomic spaces and seamless integration of technology. The company’s tagline for the design – “Elegant Garage” – refers to the creative use of simple, inexpensive materials. The office features the work of local artists and includes many Canadian cultural references. The office has a real miniature golf course located on the patio of the fullservice café, with a theme relates to the city’s landmarks. Other unique features include cabin booths, a retro record player lounge, table tennis lounge, fitness facility, liquid galaxy display, camping lounge, massage room, billiards room, Tech Talk, fireplace lounge, grassy knoll lounge and Rubik’s cube art. A library lounge leads into a secret room. To support the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and desire to occupy the most environmentally responsible office in Toronto, the project was designed to LEED Gold standards.
Ottawa Police Services West Division Patrol Facility Kanata, Ontario
This new building is designed to reflect the values of the Ottawa Police Service: openness, accountability, and participation in the local community. Additional objectives, including durability, accessibility, state-of- the-art technologies, and minimal operating costs, became clear during HOK’s Visioning session with key OPS representatives. To understand employees’ functional requirements, the design team conducted a Day-in-the-Life survey that revealed the everyday activities of police officers in the workplace. Personal safety and security are critical. A carefully structured security hierarchy separates public visitors, media, victims, witnesses and suspects. Prisoner processing and holding areas are designed to reduce opportunities for altercation or escape. HOK in collaboration with Shoalts and Zaback Architects.
HBC
Corporate Offices Brampton, Ontario With two primary locations HBC faced two challenges: attracting and retaining the best talent and fostering collaboration among its 2,000 employees. To address these challenges HOK developed a strategic plan to consolidate all HBC merchandising staff into a single facility. The three-floor renovation increased the population by 750 to 1,250 employees and aligned four of the HBC business units: the Bay, Zellers, Home Outfitters, and Designer Depot. With new workplace guidelines HOK increased the density by 25-30% and helped HBC shed over 100,000 sq. ft. of downtown leased space. The new workspace standards call for a 20:80 closed to open office ratio instead of the former 50:50. A central two-storey atrium was created in the cafeteria, now a community centre for town hall meetings and chance encounters. HOK’s team managed an employee communications strategy with information about the moves into swing space, construction schedules and phasing.
Harbour View Estates Condominiums Toronto, Ontario
To ensure visual variety in CityPlace, Toronto’s largest residential community, the City of Toronto required Concord to commission a different architectural firm for each phase. HOK was selected for three of the buildings in Harbourview Estates, one of the earlier CityPlace developments. HOK’s 40-storey Tower 1 has 102 units of loft-style condominium suites and 417 luxury suites. The 49-storey Tower 2 has 522 suites. Each tower has three levels of underground parking for 500 vehicles. The seven-storey Spadina Loft is connected to one tower by a two-storey link with shops and a childcare centre. The neutral palette of HOK’s clear glass towers is distinctive yet fits with the tinted glass of earlier CityPlace buildings. The floor plates and elevations are articulated with curves and multiple cut-outs, maximizing the views over the city and lake. The glass and brick Spadina Loft, a modern interpretation of the heritage brick industrial buildings along Spadina Avenue, provides a more human scale to the streetscape.
Y&R / Wunderman Office Corporate Office Toronto, Ontario
Y&R and Wunderman are part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a global network of companies related to advertising and public relations. The two media firms share their finance and IT departments, but otherwise maintain unique identities with separate reception areas and offices located on different levels of a downtown office building. HOK worked closely with employee representatives of both firms to prepare for a move which took people from separate, closed offices, into a more open, collaborative layout. The design includes plenty of multi-functional gathering spaces and boardrooms and offices have built-in wall-size whiteboards where teams can cluster throughout the day. The offices are designed for sustainability with open offices located at the building’s perimeter to maximize natural light. Clear glass walls and doors admit natural light into the few enclosed spaces. Materials were chosen for their sustainable attributes such as low-VOC or recyclable content.
Clinical Services Building UHN, Toronto General Hospital Toronto, Ontario
Located on UHN’s Toronto General campus, the Clinical Services Building provides a supportive patient experience while meeting the needs of many specialties. The 10-storey 500,000 sq. ft. building provides a visually striking and strategically-located addition to the existing hospital complex. A spectacular four-story Patient Court is a centerpiece for the building. The Court provides a soaring, transparent space that is an area of respite for ambulatory patients, staff and inpatient visitors from all five buildings in the existing complex. With its landscaped gardens and seating, the it creates a welcome focal point for the four floors of patient rooms overlooking it. The building includes diagnostic and imaging centers serving 22 hightechnology operating rooms. Building form was generated by the planning of the inpatient nursing units – maximum patient visibility and accessibility was required. An overall ‘L’ shaped floor plate was designed with two units per floor. The building’s exterior has been designed to match the existing campus’ urban statement. Building massing has been arranged to reinforce the urban scale that the buildings are built within .
JWT
Corporate Office Toronto, Ontario A rapidly growing advertising agency, JWT wanted to reduce their real estate footprint while maximizing efficiency and collaborative spaces. With support for alternative workspaces, the office was successfully converted from intensive high office ratio (50% open - 50% closed) to the new office layout of 90:10. Designed to LEED Silver standards, the timeless, flexible and unique design solutions cultivate the “we� collaboration opportunities amongst the creative thinkers at JWT.
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute University Centre Toronto, Ontario
University Centre, one of two redevelopment campuses, consists of renovated facilities and a substantial new addition, all located on a dense urban site. A Master Interior Finishes, Furniture and Colour Programme and concepts were developed, and will be strategically applied at all sites to reflect and promote the hospital’s corporate brand. Criteria such as durability, longevity, and flexibility, as well as requirements for universal accessibility and environmental sustainability were utilized in developing solutions. The Campus occupies one of the prime University Avenue sites within the research and innovation sector of downtown Toronto. It’s raised outdoor terrace fronting onto the Avenue is one of the icons of the street, providing a green, shaded respite from the urban street wall formed along its length. Patients have used this terrace, as well as the glazed indoor lobby as cherished, protected viewing space onto the busy life on the street.
University of Alberta
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy Edmonton, Alberta The 578,000 sq. ft. Health Academy is designed to promote interprofessional collaboration, innovative teaching and leading-edge technologies that advance health education and care delivery. Bringing 12 Health Science departments, schools from six faculties and numerous stakeholders into a single environment required a proactive engagement process. HOK used its consensus-building Problem Seeking methodology to define the strategic vision and program of requirements and gain universal stakeholder agreement. Designing an interactive and connected learning environment in a building that runs the length of two football was accomplished by colourcoding the building, inside and out. A north-south Main Street, filled with natural light, leads through the building and connects to walkways, plazas, cascading stairs, elevator banks and exit stairs. Light wells, generous glazing in classrooms and interconnecting stairs ensure even below-grade levels, which are punctuated with every kind of student space imaginable, are flooded with light. The upper three levels, which house office and administrative spaces, are equally light-filled by two atria and three light wells. The building is LEED-registered, with LEED Silver anticipated. HOK in association with Stantec Architecture.
Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Design and Workplace Strategy Toronto, Ontario
Facing rapid growth and projected staff increases from 900 to 1,100 over two years compelled Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Inc. (TRSS) to move from a three-storey industrial building with little daylight to an 11-storey office tower. HOK’s design and workplace strategy solutions reduced the area per person achieving greater space efficiency, and sustainable design strategies reduced the environmental impact. The Lounge and Lunchroom with its banquette seating and bar-style stools encourage relaxation and conversation. The multi-purpose Training Room has moveable walls and flexible furniture to accommodate town hall events. The Fitness Room and change and shower rooms encourage physical exercise, and the Prayer Room offers a private, quiet space for prayer and meditation. Visitors and staff are experiencing increased interaction and collaboration in the uplifting workplace.
Pinewood Movie Studios Master Plan Toronto, Ontario
HOK led an international consortium that submitted a competitionwinning proposal to build a state-of-the-art film, broadcast and media complex in the Eastern Portlands District. The project promised to be a vibrant and fully-wired smart community with a waterfront-focused public promenade, residential and retail developments and a range of community services. Although the project was not built due to lack of funding, HOK was later engaged to develop a master plan to expand the existing Pinewood Toronto Studios and develop the surrounding the area. HOK’s Master Plan presents a strategy for expanding and improving the existing studio facilities and, more importantly, creating a mixed-use community in Toronto’s emerging Port Lands Studio District. The Master Plan illustrates a seamless community that includes medium-density residential buildings, a retail complex and a hotel that wraps around the existing studio facilities. The extension to the studio includes new stages, office buildings and industrial shops.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre M-Wing Vertical Expansion Toronto, Ontario
The M-Wing expansion adds four levels above Sunnybrook’s existing four-storey clinical services wing. Two levels house the Women and Babies Program including a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the upper two levels house new research laboratories and core technology facilities. HOK’s Healthcare Team was responsible for designing the base building including the exterior envelope, atrium expansion, vertical transportation and preparation for department infill. The result is a high-tech facility that accommodates the rigorous demands of acute care and diagnostic functions and provides flexibility for future change. Exterior and interior finishes were carefully researched with suppliers to ensure a seamless connection of the new and old. The new large floor plates had to be built with no interruption to the existing clinical space and operating rooms. The existing Atrium, which remained in operation during construction, was extended through all new levels and required a full, temporary weatherproof roof to provide protection. Numerous preparatory projects were required to decant occupants and prepare surrounding facilities for the new construction.
WPP
Corporate Offices Various Location World-Wide WPP is the world’s largest communications services group. HOK provides design and workplace consulting services to WPP companies around the world. Canadian projects include Hill+Knowlton in Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary; Blast Radius in Toronto and Vancouver; and MediaCom, Y&R/Wunderman, MindShare and MEC, all in Toronto. Inspired by WPP’S local neighborhoods with their galleries, libraries, cafes and parks, an oasis of alternative workspaces were created. HOK provided each office with a sense of community and an atmosphere that is highly conducive to the creative thinkers in the advertising world.
Tunney’s Pasture Master Plan Ottawa, Ontario
Tunney’s Pasture is a major employment node in the City of Ottawa that currently accommodates approximately 10,000 federal employees. The 49-hectare site is comprised of 19 buildings, the majority of which fall under the custody of Public Works Government Services Canada. Various federal departments are located on site including Health Canada, Statistics Canada, National Defence, and Library & Archives Canada. HOK provided design options as part of the strategic long-term planning for the site, and in collaboration with key stakeholders both on campus and in the community, prepared seven fundamental Guiding Principles to renew the campus and create long-term resilience. By implementing a framework of development policies to balance increased density with a system of open spaces, the development options established a public identify, provided a variety of amenities for the benefit of the surrounding community, and offered a transit-oriented, pedestrian/cyclist friendly network to reduce automobile dependency. The resultant design schemes optimize existing heritage assets while capitalizing on opportunities to generate a vibrant, inclusive campus.
The Green Grind Coffee Shop Toronto, Ontario
HOK carried out interior design and commissioning services for the renovation of existing space for the new tenant. The client desired a space that would convey their green ideals, provide consumers with an unforgettable experience, and connect with its community. HOK’s design team visually enlarged the space with light, neutral coloured walls, providing a backdrop for bright accents and various woods grains. The eclectic atmosphere is enhanced with vintage furniture, art and an oversized community board that offers customers a space to connect. Another great feature is the coffee stained concrete floor, which adds a unique touch to a simple floor treatment. The Green Grind is a LEED Gold certified and includes many sustainable design features including; millwork built from bamboo, utilizing salvaged materials where ever possible, and Green Guard certified or low-emitting materials were specified.
Jean Canfield Building
Government of Canada Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island The Government of Canada identified the need for a new building to replace an existing structure constructed in 1954. They made three initiatives central to their requirement: Sustainability, Supportive Workplace and Connectivity. The vision was to have “. . .a dynamic project that actively seeks out and embraces new possibilities, new technologies, new methodologies, new partners and new means of delivering service to Canadians.� These goals are interconnected within the solution; some of the key features that make a great work environment are the result of careful incorporation of sustainable design features. Similarly, the incorporation of technology pathways allowing for easy upgrade provide useful access to the technology necessary in the forward-looking workplace. The 17,500 sq. m. building houses numerous federal departments ranging in size from a single office to a multi -floor space. A split-level, centrally-located atrium provides secure and inviting public access to the building’s main level and encourages interaction among the 500 employees. Natural light, generous views and cross ventilation enhances the workplace experience for all employees. HOK in joint venture with architects Bergmark, Guimond, Hammarlund, Jones.
Entertainment One (Alliance Films) Corporate Offices Toronto, Ontario
Alliance Films, a major motion picture distribution/production company, retained HOK to deliver a space that would reflect the company’s new business direction. The resulting 17,000 sq. ft. office design maximizes the building’s existing features, employing large windows with unobstructed views, an atrium and exposed brick walls. The outcome is a light-filled, polished space with views for all – setting a perfect stage for staff and visitors. Based on suggestions made by HOK’s design team, Alliance incorporated sustainable strategies to support a healthy work environment. Those strategies include access to daylight and views, operable windows, high efficiency lighting with motion sensors, Greenguard Certified furniture systems, low-VOC paints and materials, and carpet with +66% postconsumer recycled content. The new space reflects the client’s love for minimalist architecture and old world charm by juxtaposing clean lines with classical elements. The design thrilled the client so much that Alliance intends on utilizing the design in other international offices.
Carleton University
Residence Commons Expansion Ottawa, Ontario HOK’s 41,000 sq. ft., three-storey expansion to the existing Residence Commons injected style and energy into the entire residential precinct. “Alive” and “vibrant” were high on Carleton’s wish list, along with an identifiable front door to the overall campus and a public image to attract new students. The design and massing were inspired by four key concepts: Collide, Conceal, Bridge and Expose. Viewed from the street, the exterior of the new building collides with that of the existing, concealing its outdated façade. Inside, clear circulation paths carefully bridge the two buildings, while a multi-storey light well exposes the differences between the two. The exposed space between the old and new is the focal point of the design and the intersection of the functional (light well) and the conceptual (bridging). Design priorities included maximum visual connections to and use of adjacent green spaces. Advantage was taken of the location next to a neighbouring residence to create a public square open to the main street.
MediaCom Head Office Toronto, Ontario
MediaCom had its heart set on moving into a vintage, brick-and beam, industrial loft-type space; when the right space couldn’t be found, the company relocated to two-and-a-half floors in an office tower. The HOK team provided a design that combines the youthful energetic look of a start-up company with the sophisticated chic of a mature media agency. Plywood, an inexpensive, accessible material, was the material of choice; but here it is high-grade, Canadian-harvested Douglas fir ply veneer with exposed edges. Used for the millwork, feature walls, and non-structural wood beams, it’s a nod to the client’s original wish for an industrial loft. Wood ceiling joists further create a loft-like environment by interrupting the ceiling grid at the high-end feature spaces. At the heart of the 46,000 sq. ft. space is the bistro which is used as lunchroom, informal gathering space, and large theatre for client presentations. With a mainly open office concept, the new space has a very dynamic and energetic feel which attracts creative individuals and increase communication across the whole company.
Providence Care Hospital PDC Consulting Services Kingston, Ontario
Providence Care is southeastern Ontario’s leading provider of specialized mental health care, physical medicine and rehabilitation, specialized geriatric services, complex continuing care, palliative care and long-term care. Affiliated with Queen’s University in Kingston, and as a member of the Council of Academic Hospitals of Ontario, Providence Care is a major centre for health education and research. The new development replaces existing facilities that are currently located on two sites: St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital on Union Street and the Mental Health Services on King Street West. The new 270-bed facility is estimated to be approximately 640,000 sq. ft., including all patient care/services, diagnostic and therapeutic support, administrative, academic/research, and facilities management functions. HOK is the Planning and Design Consultant preparing the compliance documents issued to the P3 proponents. HOK was responsible for the medical planning, master plan review, Site Plan Approval process, PSOS development, and will be the primary Compliance Agent for the Hospital and Infrastructure Ontario going forward into the DBFM delivery model.
Delta Hotels Design Guidelines Across Canada
In response to the changing landscape of the hospitality and leisure market, Delta Hotels and Resorts’ objective for this project was to capture and expand its business traveler demographic and leisure market while providing a cost effective, cohesive, and consistent brand within their 44 city-centre, airport and resort properties across Canada. Delta’s pride in being Canadian and having a strong connection to communities became the inspiration for the concept, the design approach, selection of materials, furniture and manufacturers. Palettes derived from the Western, Central and Eastern regions of the Canadian landscape articulated their connection with the context and location of the properties. The consistency of brand is maintained through unified furniture, finishes and lighting selection all the while minimizing the “cookie cutter” syndrome. The approach to the guestroom design was to maximize functionality, flexibility, comfort and convenience through the development of a kit of parts particular to Delta’s guests’ needs. The clean aesthetic, combined with sensitivity to the comforts of home through use of colour, texture and pattern creates an understated elegant guest experience.
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NNECT TEAM Over 180 talented professionals dedicated to design excellence
Our team combines the talent of thoughtful architects, designers, strategists, planners, workplace consultants and responsive professionals whose main objective is to create spaces that answer our clients’ needs. It is because of our world-class team that HOK is able to forge relationships that lead to multiple projects for repeat clients.
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