SSDG Blog

The interior of this office was designed to foster collaboration and to showcase the client’s innovative technology. The space was separated into two areas: the executive offices and the software design open workstation area. The manner in which the executive and software designers function is quite different, but the design creates an integrated team environment. Bridging these two areas is a large social café and lounge space. During the discovery phase, the design team identified the Café + Lounge as a critical element to the project, it is a place for the entire team to collaborate, communicate, socialize, and relax.

The entry to the office is a blue stained pine (pine beetle wood) surround with the client’s logo front and center. Directly opposite is a collage seamlessly applied to the wall complete with the client’s corporate message.  Strips of blue stained pine frame reception and seating areas that continues curving up the wall and onto the ceiling, creating texture and contrast.

A curving white terrazzo floor leads people to the Café + Lounge beyond the reception to the spectacular waterfront view. The criteria for the Café + Lounge were for it to have the comfort of a home and function like a high tech studio. Three LCD panels are flush mounted within the column cladding, fully integrated and can be accessed from multiple locations within the Café + Lounge. The custom table supported by the column houses a touch screen computer which is a place to test new capabilities, demonstrate software to clients and most importantly, play games. A variety of seating spaces in this area create the perfect environment for meetings and social gatherings.

Beyond the lounge, the boardroom is visually linked to the heart of the office through its frameless glass face. The boardroom table is wired and a touch panel screen transforms the room from meetings, to video conferencing and presentations at the press of a button.

The executive office area is faced with a glass and aluminum wall system and sliding doors creating an open and approachable environment. The walnut and metal desks have clean modern lines and can be moved into a number of configurations to suit a variety of occupants. The software design area is adjacent to the Café + Lounge, accessible through an archway and bordered with a custom marble planter. Low panel workstations with customizable graphic panels offer clear waterfront views.

The office is modern in form and colour with a combination of natural and hi-tech materials providing interest and excitement throughout the space, described by one team member as “when I walked in, it felt like a breath of fresh air”.

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Our client says “in 23 years in business the Pub has never sold such items as Martinis, high end wines by the bottle, high end vodkas or liquors, desserts, fresh seafood, high end steaks, etc. – now with this amazing re-brand we are finding new clients that prefer to spend a little more for a quality meal and much more contemporary environment. It’s very interesting to see the surprised look on everyone’s face once they walk through the doors. Our average bill has gone from $18 per person to about $38 per person…”

The Fin is buzzing. The martinis and beers are flowing. The new menu is a hit. It’s the place to be.

For more information on The Fin, visit our website.

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SSDG received awards for two distinguished projects that were announced on April 21, 2010 at the Interior Design Institute of British Columbia annual Awards of Excellence. A group of highly respected designers (Richard Pollack, POLLACK Architecture, Lois Wellwood, Kasian Architecture Interior Design + Planning Ltd., and Tracey Sawyer, Igloo Design Group, Inc.) awarded SSDG a Bronze and Gold Award of Excellence.

Crossroads Dental was awarded Bronze Awards of Excellence in the Healthcare and Personal Services Category. Here’s what the judges had to say:

“This is healthcare at the upper end of the spectrum. It is a happy space with interesting textures and comforting feel. This is a wonderful design, very nicely done!”

Terminal City Club was awarded Gold Awards of Excellence in the Hospitality Category. Here’s what the judges had to say:

“This is a really good combination of traditional layering of very contemporary design. Really love this – this is lovely. The restaurant is wrapped in beautiful finishes. The glass on the bar is phenomenal. It is way beyond a masculine space.”

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When is a desk not just a desk? Furniture is not what it used to be. It’s far smarter. A single item may serve several functions, making your space far more efficient and aesthetically interesting. Items are more mobile and (forgive the term) morphable than ever before. New furniture is a tremendous way to make a space more practical for the multitude of circumstances that arises in your business every day (i.e. formal meetings, casual brainstorming, independent work, quiet collaboration, etc).

Moral of the story: if you’ve been feeling squeezed out of your present space, you may not need to move. You might just need a fresh look at how to use that space better.

A couple of tips:

• When you’re ordering furniture or working with a designer, ask for furniture with moveable components. But…make sure you maintain some control with non-moving anchor elements

• Consider workspaces that provide options for easy changes in how your team works together day-to-day (i.e. can independent workspaces be easily changed into comfy meeting spaces?)

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