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While the open office was nearly killed by work-from-home policies during the COVID pandemic, the return-to-work movement is ushering in a rebound—making it clear that the open office isn’t dead. At least not yet. Despite decades of research finding that open office plans may be bad for companies, bad for workers, bad for health, and…

Facility managers must work closely with principal designers to design and build a water system safe from pathogens. Water for building services isn’t entirely free from aquatic organisms; therefore, measures must be taken to guard against conditions that encourage the growth of water-borne pathogens such as Legionella. To avoid potentially costly remedial works, the design…

Ensuring the involvement of professionals who will work in the space is critical to project success. The completion and successful handover of a healthcare project requires meticulous planning, seamless collaboration and effective communication among a range of stakeholders. The pressure on healthcare facilities owners and managers to deliver projects on time and within budget is…

Calgary’s conversion recipe could have some ingredients to likewise help transform underused office space into housing in Toronto. City Council’s planning and housing committee has adopted a motion urging a closer look at the downtown Calgary development incentive program. If the full Toronto Council approves, city staff would be directed to take Calgary’s approach for…

Elevator design is often overlooked, but not by the team of Don Parker, Michel Arcand, and Gillian Gregory of IN8 Design. IN8 Design undertook the ambitious task of renovating 17 passenger elevator cabs and two parking elevator cabs for a Cadillac Fairview office tower. “When our client entrusted us with the responsibility of revitalizing downtown…

In the spirit of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, business leaders must be mindful to secure their workplaces, whether that workplace is remote, in an office, or in a hybrid model. Return-to-office (RTO) mandates have been gaining momentum post-Labor Day, with some surveys showing a whopping 90% of companies are planning to implement RTO policies by the…