design is
a community
Design Firm: Sizeland Evans Interior Design Inc.
Project Name/Client: Niska Gas Storage
Project Location: Calgary, AB
Products: Pulse, Sway, Shadow Plush Area Rug
What is Design?
Design is community.
The Client had branched off from a larger corporation and wanted their new space to bring the diverse group of departments together, creating a unified space where they can function as a successful community, encouraging interaction and communication.
How is Design best illustrated through the project?
The Client’s vision was to create a unique and contemporary image in a sea of cookie cutter oil and gas office spaces. The concept for the project was to bring people together to allow for collaboration through the creation of support areas that convey a sense of community and neighborhood. The outdoor environment inspired us to create indoor park and green spaces by using a forest graphic in the lounge area, a 20’ custom water feature in the reception / boardroom area, and floor to ceiling glass office fronts allowing natural light to filter through to the interior.
Biggest Design Challenge?
The biggest challenge was to bring a high-density factor while creating an open area with the feeling of community. We achieved this by creating 10x10 offices as a standard. By rethinking the typical 10x15 office, we created a fully functional layout space using a centrally located sliding door. We addressed the staff concerns over reduced office sizes by creating multiple furniture layouts and allowing each user the opportunity to meet one on one with the design consultant to personalize their space.
We achieved a high quality space, incorporating environmentally sensitive materials – a moveable wall system, and carpet tile, on a modest budget.
What made it Innovative or Unique?
We held a Visioning Session with the Client to assess the desired outcome for their corporate culture, image, behavior, and shared values within the organization. We took the information gathered in the Visioning Session and approached the design as a community, bringing multiple experiences to the weekly design sessions. We discovered a wide range of Client needs and adapted specific department needs in the design, while implementing a unified concept throughout the space.
Being able to customize a standard Shaw product allowed us to work outside the box…and the books to find the appropriate carpet solution for the space.
How did Design make a difference?
We successfully achieved a feeling of neighborhood and community throughout the office space. Employees are extremely happy and are utilizing the spaces as intended (for lounging, collaboration, etc.).
The staff embraced the design concept and has brought the community theme even further by adding artwork created by their children.
We have received positive feedback from the Client and the space has been attracting other tenants in the building as the design is so very different from traditional oil and gas firms.
The staff is inspired by the outdoor concept, one particular user added their own climbing wall to their office.
