Workplace Culture 
From Cayley Van Hemmen at Turner Construction:
Blackbird Interactive (BBI) is a growing independent Vancouver studio that consistently ships acclaimed console, computer and mobile games. Turner Construction partnered with BBI to create their newest space, Studio 3 at 565 Great Northern Way in Vancouver’s False Creek Flats Neighbourhood.
With a creative and high-performing team, BBI owes their ongoing success and growth not only to its artists and developers, but also to their Vancouver head office “Studio 3.” Their creative space near Emily Carr University along Great Northern Way affords BBI employees a place for collaboration, and the opportunity to implement the unique culture that defines BBI.
The culture of BBI focuses first and foremost on the comfort of its team members; it’s a space that encourages its employees to immerse themselves into an environment that is both familiar and inspirational. So, whether this means you’re most comfortable when you have your dog sitting next to you at work – which we’ve all grown to love through the COVID-19 pandemic – or needing to be isolated in dark and/or silent space to boost productivity, BBI deliberately designed its space to respectfully accommodate its employees’ various styles of work.
Industrial Scarcity Concept at Blackbird Interactive
With vision and the unique design by Mak Interiors for Studio 3, we see the implementation of culture through its lack of tradition, opting instead for the concept of “industrial scarcity.” BBI’s space is vastly comprised of elements we don’t typically think to include in an office; however, they help to support a culture that is distinctive and collaborative.
Industrial Scarcity is achieved by the concrete and matte black finishes throughout, and also through the inclusion of a second-to-none, bright orange shipping container that was assembled and crafted on site (to be used as a meeting pod). We may ask ourselves how a shipping container exudes culture, but, what’s important to understand is that it is not only the design that brings a sense of culture, it’s the motivation that BBI’s team feels when they utilize the space and channel its ingenuity.
Studio 3 also achieves its own culture through the incorporation of non-traditional office décor. BBI challenges what is known as a “typical office space” – which tends to be either under or overdesigned – with its inclusion of beautiful Persian rugs and throw pillows in employee common spaces, and an employee-maintained, elevated window-perimeter garden. Ultimately, BBI knows they’re different. They know it works, and they own it.
BBI’s space provides its employees with an immersive experience, similar to the experiences they offer the fans of their games. The physical connection to the culture and spirit of their work isn’t the only reason their team to produces amazing work, but it definitely helps.
For more information about this project visit our featured space for Blackbird Interactive at 565 Great Northern Way, or reach out to Cayley Van Hemmen at Turner Construction.
