Material selection for Calgary Housing's new office maximizes budget and impact

Calgary Housing, a government initiative dedicated to helping Calgarians find homes, approached us to design their new head office in Calgary. Their objective—"We are inviting them into our home and helping them to get their own"—guided our approach. With budget constraints in mind, we concentrated on key areas including the reception, waiting area, customer counters, and staff kitchen. Our goal was to infuse these spaces with a bright and calming residential feel to reflect their commitment to providing safe and affordable housing solutions.

Team Spotlight

Joanne Fernandes

Project Lead

Jessica Ormita

Project Designer

Project Start Date: July 2023

Project Completion Date: July 2024

Square Footage: +/- 22, 270 sq ft

The Challenge

Budget: As a government project, adhering to the budget was a primary objective. We focused our resources on key areas such as the reception, waiting area, customer interview rooms, and staff kitchen. A significant challenge was integrating the existing office furniture, which the client planned to reuse, into the new design without making it appear out of place.‍

Safety and Security: Creating a safe, calm, and inviting environment in the waiting area was essential.

The Solution

Our team stayed within budget by carefully selecting colours, lighting, and materials. We used dark walnut wood-look materials that complemented the existing office furniture. By selecting warm tones with pops of blue and incorporating lighter wood finishes, we created a modern yet timeless palette. This approach made the old furniture feel purposeful and harmonized with the new design.

We thoughtfully incorporated barriers between staff and clients to ensure safety while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. To maintaining aesthetic integrity, we integrated barriers into the millwork and partitions. This thoughtful integration made the safety features a cohesive part of the overall design, rather than an afterthought.

Finally, to minimize potential disruptions and accidents, we implemented a thoughtful seating plan with a designated children’s play area.

The Human-Centred Lens

Calgary Housing's new space emphasizes comfort and warmth through residential-inspired design elements, such as wood-substitute materials and functional furniture. By incorporating hospitality-inspired features in the staff kitchen and carefully considering the seating arrangements, lighting, materials, and art, our team was able to meet the practical needs and emotional well-being of its users.

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Key Features

Staff Kitchen

The staff kitchen is the heart of the space. The combination of the solid surface against the blue paint demonstrates that impactful design can be achieved on a conservative budget.

Waiting Area Furniture

The furniture selection effectively enhances the residential feel while ensuring durability and functionality.

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Customer Counter

Designed with safety in mind, the client counter integrates seamlessly into the overall design. It maintains a calm, residential-like atmosphere through thoughtful use of furniture, lighting, and materials.

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Child-Friendly Space

A thoughtful seating plan with a designated children’s play area helps minimize disruptions and ensures safety for both adults and children.