The Response
Teknion leveraged its expertise, coaching the SSQ Assurance team through a training process that involved visiting projects, showrooms and international trade shows like Chicago’s NeoCon. The availability and quality of the coaching were deciding factors in the choice to hire Teknion. Teknion also custom-designed products to match SSQ Assurance’s design concept.
Custom design and personalization
One unique feature of the project was the development of a new workstation model adapted to the insurance company’s shift in philosophy. Born out of collaboration between SSQ Assurance, Mobilier de bureau MBH and Teknion, the panel-built desk was custom designed to meet the project’s ergonomic, durability and design requirements. SSQ Assurance reaffirmed its confidence in Teknion, with whom it has maintained a business relationship for over 15 years, citing the quality of its service and product line:
“Teknion is a step ahead in terms of the quality of its materials and finishing,” said Danièle Savoie, Construction and Design Project Coordinator at SSQ Assurance. “They are way ahead of the competition when it comes to research and development.”
The workstation features optimized ergonomics and an adjustable worksurface. Teknion’s District was chosen for the workstations for its efficient use of space, minimalist lines and versatility. The new workstations also have a number of features specially designed for SSQ Assurance, like an integrated compact trash can that doesn’t encumber the workspace. The paper trash can was removed, as the business is moving toward a zero-paper policy.
Acoustics and sustainable development
The open-plan workspace brought the project team face to face with issues of noise and privacy. These problems were tackled in a number of ways, such as by adopting a code of conduct regulating employee behavior, which was supported by elements of the design. To regulate noise, the insurance company relied on Teknion’s expertise for recommendations on high-performance acoustic and sound-proofing products. Teknion’s reconfigurable Altos architectural walls were used throughout the office to close off work and meeting spaces. The walls allow light into meeting spaces and considerably reduce construction and renovation costs.
“It was important to us to create a design concept that was eco-friendly and that can easily evolve over time. We wanted to reduce the number of floor-to-ceiling walls in the project and instead opted for reusable, removable partitions,” explained France Rodrigue.
The company’s desire to take eco-friendly steps goes hand-in-hand with the values held by Teknion, which counts sustainable development among its core principles. Because Teknion creates 80 percent of its product in-house, it has greater control over the quality of production processes and creates products that exceed minimum environmental standards.
Versatility
The layout of the collaborative spaces had to be designed to accommodate multiple functions. Teknion responded with modular furnishings adapted to the function of each common area. The lounges, workspaces, informal meeting spaces and break rooms were all outfitted with pieces from the Teknion dna collection and Studio TK, which combine comfort and modular functionality in addition to facilitating access to communications technology. The cafeteria spaces (La Halte and La Bulle) are both furnished with high-back booths from the Fractals collection that create a private space for their occupants. To encourage employee collaboration and communication, Teknion Community Tables were chosen for La Halte and the break rooms (called La Recharge) located on the work floors. The colors and finishes for the furniture were also custom-designed to match SSQ Assurance’s signature style. The different Teknion product lines used in this project demonstrate the company’s ability to provide turnkey service and its talent for adapting to the specific requirements of a project.
By minimizing individual spaces in favor of common spaces, SSQ Assurance is adopting a sustainable and innovative design concept that reflects its corporate philosophy
Teknion’s reconfigurable Altos architectural walls were used throughout the office to close off work and meeting spaces. The walls allow light into meeting spaces and considerably reduce construction and renovation costs.
Teknion Community Tables were chosen for La Halte and the break rooms (called La Recharge) located on the work floors.