Workspace of the Month: Inside Google Canada’s Seven-Storey HQ

In our Workspace sequence, CB is that includes attention-grabbing, smart-designed and one-of-a-kind areas throughout Canada. From progressive house places of work to out-of-the-box co-working areas to unconventional setups—like this magnificence firm run out of a rural farmhouse and this carbon-bike firm positioned in a former auto physique store—we wish to showcase essentially the most distinctive and delightful areas from all industries. This month we’re profiling the Toronto workplace of Google Canada.

Google is massive on collaborative office tradition. Employees—who name themselves Googlers—occupy seven flooring of an workplace constructing in Toronto’s monetary district. The 7,538-square-metre area is fitted with recreation areas, a big cafeteria the place free scorching breakfast and lunch are served day by day, a fitness center, a theatre for particular occasions resembling displays and socials, an out of doors patio, and communal kitchens on each flooring stocked with all of the necessities: snacks like hummus and cheese, and drinks together with soda, juice, glowing water and, after all, espresso.

The tech large opened this area in 2012 to accommodate its rising presence within the Canadian market. Jennifer Wang, Google Canada’s website program supervisor, says earlier than the staff moved into the constructing, the corporate requested what they wished the workplace to appear to be. “We had a focus group of Googlers who helped decide what kind of games would go into our spaces and what kind of special features we should have,” she says. “This office is particularly focused on Canadian music and themes.” This interprets into convention rooms named after Canada’s waterways, cellphone cubicles named after homegrown musicians and domestically sourced supplies, like wooden, used all through the area. The workplace additionally options furnishings in Google’s official colors—purple, blue, inexperienced and yellow.

The architect is international agency HOK and the inside design is by Toronto-based iN STUDIO. The area can accommodate 420 workers throughout groups like AI analysis, advertising and marketing, engineering and gross sales. Right now, the corporate has a hybrid work mannequin in place. Staff come into the workplace three days per week.

In 2015, Google took over one other flooring within the constructing to create a “client experience centre” the place it hosts exterior occasions and showcases the newest tech, like good units. The firm expanded once more in 2017 when it opened up an extra flooring for employees with a theme impressed by Toronto’s cultural range. “All conference and phone rooms are named after neighbourhoods in the city, like Little Italy and Chinatown,” Wang says. In addition to this HQ, Google has two different workplace areas within the metropolis, and is shifting into a brand new area on King Street when development is full within the close to future.

Here’s a glance inside.