Workplace Culture 
Māk Interiors gave Tech Office a behind-the-scenes look into the recently improved Hootsuite Vancouver HQ, with some key insights on their return to work strategy.
Partner Post: written by Amber Kingsnorth of Māk Interiors
For a team like Hootsuite with employees in offices around the world, the pandemic offered a chance to rethink their workspace.
Focusing on their Vancouver headquarters, Hootsuite reached out to the team at Mak Interiors to reimagine their space at 111 East 5th Avenue; we partnered with Fusion Projects to execute this unique construction project.
Employee Surveys showed a desire for Collaborative Workspace in the Office
Hootsuite’s leadership surveyed employees throughout the pandemic to gauge their interest in returning to a communal workspace.
They certainly weren’t alone in wondering what percentage of their team would want to come back at all – a big debate at most companies since 2020.
What the leadership team at Hootsuite discovered is that most people were interested in collaborative work; they had a desire to gather in an office, while continuing to work from home for more solitary tasks.
This resulted in a 180 degree shift from the current office model (one that most tech sector companies have subscribed to), moving away from a workstation-focused environments to a more varied workplace landscape.
Hootsuite’s leadership wanted an increased focus on wellness and inclusivity, going beyond social distancing guidelines to create a health-focused space.
Our objectives were clear; reinvent the office as a collaborative hub with supporting elements to promote accessibility, inclusivity and health for the team. We couldn’t wait to dive in!
Workplace and Design Strategy for Hootsuite’s Return to Work
The concept that emerged was the idea of ‘welcome interruptions’ – creating moments of both wonder and respite throughout the work day.
This would balance dynamic features such as colourful furniture and mural graphics with restful elements like living walls, natural light, and quiet cozy spaces.
Another important factor was adaptability. No one could predict how the return to work would evolve, so we wanted to build-in modularity and the ability to change the space as Hootsuite assessed their team’s engagement with the new office over time.
No one could predict how the return to work would evolve, so we wanted to build-in modularity and the ability to change the space as Hootsuite assessed their team’s engagement with the new office over time.
Amber Kingsnorth, RID LEED AP
Physical Spaces with a Primacy on Utility and Unique Materials
We approached the design from the inside-out, identifying existing elements could work with and creating layers of functionality within the full floor space.
At the heart of the floor plan was a smattering of existing indoor ‘cabins’ which we wanted to keep in place to help divide the space and create a meandering path through the office floor.
The cabin interiors went from traditional meeting space to a mix of closed lounges, collaboration spaces, and team huddle rooms with updated technology for inclusivity of those working remotely. On the exterior we created a modern look based on the idea of Shou Sugi Ban – Japanese charred-wood siding.
Throughout the space we layered soft seating for open break-out areas, lounges, and quiet work zones with bursts of colour as well as living walls and plants to purify the air and reinforce a connection to nature.
The Space is All about Supporting the Team…and the Vibe
To promote natural light in areas where windows were not accessible, we added intelligent skylight panels that mimic the sun’s movement.
A wellness room was also added to the office program, functioning as a mother’s room, prayer space and isolation area for quiet moments.
From a high-level perspective, we kept the key architectural elements neutral, layering color and texture to create a space that offers moments of inspiration, wonder, rest, and restoration. It’s a space that truly supports Hootsuite’s return to work and is ready to adapt to the evolving workplace.
About the Author: Amber Kingsnorth at Māk Interiors
For more information about this project visit our featured space for Hootsuite Vancouver at 111 East 5th Avenue, or reach out to Amber Kingsnorth of Māk Interiors
Amber is a Registered Interior Designer and LEED Accredited Professional. She founded Māk Interiors in early 2012 based on the idea of providing thoughtful design and approachable, engaging service.
As studio Principal, Amber empowers and supports the team to do their best work. A passionately curious person, her favourite part of her job is connecting with clients and learning about their brands, cultures, and lifestyles.
