HiVe Vancouver
The HiVE is one of the largest co-working spaces in Vancouver, catering specifically to businesses and organizations that are committed to environmental and social sustainability. Workspaces at the HiVE are a combination of permanent, dedicated desk areas for companies of various sizes and ‘hot’ desks for short term users. The desk layout is flexible, and work areas are visually open to foster collaboration and a sense of community. The HiVE was committed to sustainability and originally targeted LEED Silver, but budget was a challenge. The goal was to create an affordable, comfortable open environment that facilitated collaboration, but was also quiet enough for members to work efficiently, while providing comfortable working spaces.
Local Practice was involved as the design architect and sustainability coordinator for the office space, and also assisted in finding used furniture and specifying products. Working in close collaboration with a client who was dedicated to the highest environmental standards, Local was able to incorporate many significant sustainable features into the HiVE design, including reclaimed and recycled furniture, natural ventilation strategies, low-VOC paints and millwork, energy efficient appliances, and bike storage facilities. The work spaces were designed to accommodate long term users in certain quiet zones, and short term rentals in hot desk spaces that were closely linked to shared resources such as meeting rooms, kitchen, dining room, and bike storage.
Client: The HiVE Vancouver
Location: Vancouver, BC
Team: Local Practice, Perez Engineering, TSG Construction
Project Completion: 2011