The new RioCan head office at 2300 Yonge Street is more than just a functional workspace; it embodies RioCan’s core values of boldness, adaptability, responsibility, and trust. As one of Canada’s largest real estate investment trusts, RioCan's mission is to create vibrant community spaces, and their office needed to reflect this innovative spirit while supporting their entrepreneurial culture.
The design process was centered around creating a physical manifestation of RioCan’s values to foster a sense of belonging, driving motivation, pride and engagement among employees. Key priorities such as access to natural light, biophilia, and the integration of culture and art were identified through visioning sessions and prioritized throughout the design.
The previous office was heavily partitioned, creating silos and isolation. The new design features an open-plan layout to promote visibility and accessibility, especially to the leadership team, enhancing communication and interaction. This shift aligns with modern workplace trends that value transparency and egalitarianism.
The interconnecting staircase unites the three floors, enhancing physical connectivity and symbolizing the breakdown of silos and hierarchical barriers.
The RioCanteen, a central gathering space adjacent to the reception area, encourages informal interactions and creates a welcoming atmosphere. State-of-the-art technology is seamlessly integrated throughout, from smart film in the boardrooms to adjustable sit-stand workstations. The emphasis on biophilia, with live plants integrated into workstations and common areas, improves air quality and adds a touch of nature, contributing to overall well-being.
The design has significantly increased staff engagement and productivity, with one employee noting a tripling of their daily steps. Flexible workspaces on each floor accommodate various work styles and needs, from open collaborative areas to quiet zones. Non-bookable meeting spaces, dubbed “focus rooms,” cater to concentrated work, reflection, or prayer.
We see this space as the physical representation of who we are as a culture and who we've evolved into.
Adding to the overall atmosphere is a substantial art collection, which plays a significant role in the new office, and includes pieces from Canadian and Indigenous artists. Each piece was curated to reflect RioCan’s business and values, often incorporating materials and themes that resonate with the company’s history and mission as well as highlighting many of their commercial properties.
