Office Interior Design in Edmonton: A Communication-Driven Workplace Concept

sdcstudio
1 day ago
3 min read

This blog is part of the SDC Knowledge Series – Episode 12, where we explore the design thinking behind the Office at Edmonton. The project demonstrates how workplace interiors can be shaped around communication, hierarchy, and functionality - creating a productive and human-centered environment.

Rethinking Office Interiors Beyond Aesthetics

An office is more than desks and meeting rooms. It is a structured environment where communication, leadership, collaboration, and workflow intersect daily. In the Edmonton office project, the design team approached the space not merely as a physical layout—but as a living network of interaction.

The central design idea was inspired by a powerful metaphor: the spinal cord. Just as the spinal cord connects the brain and body, enabling seamless information flow, the office layout was conceptualized as a structured communication system connecting all zones of the workplace.

The “Spinal Cord” Concept in Workplace Design

At the core of the design is a main spatial axis that acts as the “spine” of the office. This central pathway connects leadership areas, staff workstations, collaboration zones, and public spaces.

Each branch extending from this axis serves a defined function while maintaining clarity in movement and communication. The result is a workplace that feels organized, intuitive, and interconnected—supporting both productivity and interaction.

This concept ensures:

Clear spatial hierarchy
Logical movement patterns
Enhanced team collaboration
Improved workflow efficiency

The office becomes more than a space—it becomes a connected system.

Strategic Zoning for Functionality and Clarity

To translate the metaphor into practical design, the workspace was divided into five key zones:

1. Public Spaces

Reception and waiting areas designed for first impressions and accessibility.

2. Semi-Public Spaces

Boardrooms, meeting rooms, and breakout areas that encourage collaboration while maintaining structure.

3. Mixed-Use Zones

Flexible areas adaptable to changing needs, promoting versatility in workplace operations.

4. Private Offices

Dedicated spaces for leadership and division heads, supporting focus and confidentiality.

5. Circulation Spaces

These act as connective tissue, ensuring smooth transitions between zones and maintaining visual continuity.

This structured zoning approach balances openness with privacy, ensuring that communication flows without compromising productivity.

Exploring Two Distinct Design Options

Two primary layout options were developed to explore different interpretations of the concept:

Option 1: Linear Spine Layout

A strong, central axis defines the space, with clearly organized connections branching outward. This approach emphasizes clarity, order, and structured movement.

Option 2: Open and Flexible Layout

A more fluid configuration, where staff areas are continuous and filled with natural light. Movable partitions allow adaptability while preserving the communication-driven concept.

Both options maintain the same underlying principle—a workplace structured around connection and efficiency—while offering different spatial experiences.

Human-Centered Workplace Design

The key takeaway from this project is that office interiors should function like networks, not isolated rooms. By aligning leadership areas, collaborative spaces, and staff workstations along a logical system, the office supports interaction naturally.

This approach results in:

Better communication between teams
Improved employee experience
Enhanced productivity
A clear organizational hierarchy

The design prioritizes functionality while ensuring the space remains adaptive and people-focused.

SDC’s Approach to Office Interior Design

At SDC, workplace interiors are approached with concept-driven clarity and strategic planning. Rather than designing isolated zones, the focus is on building interconnected environments that enhance communication and performance.

Through thoughtful zoning, circulation planning, and metaphor-driven concepts, SDC ensures that office spaces are:

Functional
Adaptable
Hierarchically organized
Designed for long-term productivity

The Edmonton Office project reflects SDC’s belief that strong concepts translate into meaningful, high-performing workspaces.

Conclusion

The Office at Edmonton demonstrates how a powerful design metaphor can shape spatial planning, zoning, and user experience. By structuring the office around the idea of the spinal cord, the design ensures clarity, connectivity, and functionality throughout.