A vibrant transformation for a dated office space.

The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR) office renovation was a relocation effort for SDPR and CBRE. The main priority for this design was to create a space that felt safe and was accessible and welcoming for both staff and public. Special attention was paid to Leading Workplace strategies (LWS) which support flexible and varying workstyles by integrating technology, culture and space. To support the cultural practices of all staff, a private office space was designed with a dedicated ventilation system to accommodate smudging and other Ceremony within the office. Our accessible design strategy included custom signage and wayfinding elements, kitchen design, and most significantly, the addition of an elevator that enables all staff members to access the upper level of the office.

Our design for the environmental graphics included feature wall murals within open collaborative spaces and privacy window treatments for enclosed offices. The graphics were inspired by the natural landscape of the Okanagan and depict stylized scenes of animals from the region. The graphics introduce pops of colour throughout the office and instill a sense of place within the work environment.