Harkel Office Furniture

Alzheimer Society:
Locations Consolidated Culture Conserved

Creating a work environment that is engaging, collaborative and informal for staff yet professional, welcoming and sensitive for clients.

"Each level of the Society had its own management, finance, fundraising and administration staff, most working in private offices with donated furniture."

Consolidating different office locations is often a culture shock for staff. One way to minimize the shock is to create an inviting and comfortable work environment. The Alzheimer Society faced this challenge when it decided to consolidate its Canadian, Ontario and Toronto offices under one roof in mid-town Toronto.

Each level of the Society had its own management, finance, fundraising and administration staff, most working in private offices with donated furniture. The new location would not merge the three Societies, but would ‘interfile’ the staff by function, to encourage synergies and achieve cost efficiencies.

Toronto-based X-Design was given the task of creating an office environment that would be engaging, collaborative and informal for staff but at the same time would be viewed by clients and visitors as professional, welcoming and sensitive to their needs.

In partnering with Harkel, X-Design created a space for the Alzheimer Society that is:

Flexible The Society’s new home can adapt to changing workplace requirements.

DynamicGlobal Evolve workstations appear permanent but can adapt to individual requirements.

CongenialNew License/Vice Versa private offices provide alternative layout configurations as well as encouraging collaboration.

Airy The floor plan and system furniture allow daylight throughout the office and 360 degree views of the outdoors from all locations.

“We addressed all of the Society’s corporate and cultural requirements,” said Steven Feruglio, X-Design’s Furniture Application Specialist. “There wasn’t a single deficiency or short-shipment within all of the furniture that was delivered and installed. For an order of this size, this is virtually unheard of in the industry.”

PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Consolidation Management: Choose Wisely

by Staff
X-Design

Yuritza Rodriguez–Project Designer, Steven Feruglio–Furniture Application Specialist and Greg Quinn–Project Manager, were the key individuals from X-Design responsible for the Alzheimer Society office consolidation. They offer a few tips on selecting and coordinating with trades, suppliers and manufacturers for companies in a similar position.

• Work with your project manager or designer to establish a specific criteria selection process.
• Consider their industry reputation, length of time in business and green initiatives.
• Chemistry is essential: A sense of comfort is key to a relationship that will be long-term and able to address requirements with creative solutions.
• Clearly define project goals and requirements and establish a tracking and reporting mechanics.