BDP’s North American studio is evolving. An exercise in innovation, discovery, and experimentation, the studio proves that a work environment can be seamlessly designed for all without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
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Gold 🏆 Winner
International Interior Design Awards 2023
BDP’s North American Studio
Workplace Interior
Firm
BDP
Designer
Julie Sumairski
Design Team
Caroline Robbie, Andrea McCann, Julie Sumairski, Stephanie Wiebe, Jessica Goldberg, Emily Turchi, Janet Lam
Location
Toronto, Canada
Country
Canada
Photographer/Copyright
©BDP Quadrangle
Innovation and inclusion often go hand-in-hand. The studio’s hybrid model offers an opportunity to keep the holistic well-being of team members, both physically and mentally, at the forefront, and our new 250-person studio is a testament to our dedication to that ideal. We worked to create a space that would inspire collaboration among our team members and push the boundaries of inclusion. Innovation has no completion date—we continue to test and try new things to improve the design and space of our new studio, considering various perspectives to continuously foster a sense of belonging.
In a post-pandemic world, the studio places a strong focus on what employees want in a workspace and how those features can be introduced to increase studio presence. This involved thinking about the ways in which we work: creating spaces that cater to different types of working and doing—designing for human behaviour allows for increased creativity and flexibility.
The versatile “neighbourhoods” in the studio achieve this by offering a range of spaces that vary in lighting, views, feel and structure, allowing employees to select spaces that align with their work style. From serene retreats like the ‘Oasis,’ to central collaboration zones like our ‘Back Alley’ and focused meeting spaces such as the ‘Black Box,’ there is a workspace for every kind of work style.
An additional benefit of the “neighbourhoods” approach is that it removes any hierarchy from the office layout, emphasizing that no one area holds greater importance than another: no one owns a window, a view, natural light, or a specific space. Traditional hierarchical seating is dissolved, and the distinction between departments and teams is less apparent, further fostering collaboration and inclusion across all teams.
Notably, this approach called for an increased focus on sustainability. In designing for human behaviour and creating different aesthetics and neighbourhood identities, sustainability remained at the heart of this project. The material selection criteria focused on factors such as air quality, low carbon content, and the impact on the supply chain. Seeking materials that met these criteria led to the creation of an environment that balanced being refined, sophisticated, and environmentally conscious, proving that the three can co-exist.