HOK Toronto's Reuse-Focused Office Renovation Saves 120,000 kg of CO2

HOK's Toronto office, under the direction of Principal Kristina Kamenar, has transformed its 11th-floor workspace on University Avenue with a focus on sustainability through repurposing. The 1,579-square-metre area, once home to a tech firm, maintained its original layout while enhancing finishes and furnishings, resulting in a reduction of approximately 120,000 kilograms of embodied CO₂. Since relocating last fall, the office incorporates 80 to 85 percent of reused furniture from HOK's previous location. Adaptation challenges arose with workstations from the now-defunct Inscape Furniture, which included planters. The revamped space accommodates 125 individuals, featuring phone and huddle rooms, work bars, soft seating, and curtained carrels. The café is designed to evoke a hospitality atmosphere, showcasing Faye Toogood's Puffy lounge chair, with artwork curated by Cynthia Colby, including works by Andrew Dadson and Morris Lum.