Green with Envy: Cool Office Space

HOK is one of the foremost respected architectural and interior design firms in the world. They are known for their commitment to quality, efficiency, and the environment.They strive to encourage all of their employees to get LEED certificated so that they are more equipped as a unit to give back to the community through design.

In their fairly new downtown Toronto office, management posted posters of Kermit the frog proclaiming “it’s easy to be green”. In addition, the provided classes and workshops to help prepare the staff. HOK has now exceeded it goal of having more than 40% of its employees certified. I am sure by working in a LEED certified space, the employees found major inspiration to do so. The new Toronto branch for instance, is a great model for green office design. It is hip, functional, and has an equal level of comfort and style.

This particular office has been designed for approximately 200 employees. 85% of the construction waste, 18,000 pounds, was recycled or redistributed. Each of the work areas themselves have individual thermostats and there is plenty of natural daylight with the operable windows encasing the open studio space. It is not effective business management to have employees who are for better lack of words, “high” off of toxic and radio active fumes and waves, so ventilated copying and mounting rooms are situated throughout.

For the 82% of the employees who use public transit, walk, or bicycle to work, there is a special allocated space for their bikes as well as showers. With an office such as this, I too would be excited to ride my bike or sub-it to work. Check out this featured article to read more about this project.