The American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) ICON magazine explored the issue of designing for confidentiality in this era of open-plan spaces through dialogue with 4 designers including RATIO partner, Christopher Pollard.

Your brand, goals of the business, the type of business, employee profiles, and definition of success all feed into the design of a successful workspace or office. So, how can employers create space that serves the diverse needs of worker demographics and culture while inspiring creative collaboration and productivity? It starts with insights and planning. Read more about RATIO’s approach for result-based workplace design.

The unique design of the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre project is taking shape and seen in new construction photos. Completion is expected towards the end of this year.

New direction, new images of community-focused credit union branch for Community Savings. Our concept for a 1400 sq ft community credit union branch delivers intimate, member-dedicated spaces allowing for more personal interactions in comfort and privacy.

An award-winning purpose built wood building, designed by RATIO for Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union’s flagship branch.

Empowering members to reach financial goals drives RATIO’s design decisions for updated Community Savings branches. Intimate, member-dedicated spaces allows for more personal interactions in comfort and privacy. The impetus for this new space was to create a vibrant and supportive environment in keeping with Community Savings’ ethos of empowering people in the working community with advice that is in their best interest.

RATIO’s credit union clients, Island Savings and Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union were 2 of the featured banking branch design concepts in the Financial Brand’s international photo showcase.

New spending on infrastructure projects for British Columbia means funding for 57 capital and capacity building projects in communities around the province.

RATIO’s architectural solution for the Craigflower Pump Station in BC’s beautiful Capital Region District. A necessary community infrastructure project that integrates into the neighbourhood and parkland setting.

Congratulations to Vancity for their first LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors for their Mount Tolmie community branch in Victoria on Vancouver Island. RATIO acted as the prime consultant and was responsible for the planning and design of the of the 5000 square foot space. This project was another opportunity for Vancity to build a healthy, productive, community-minded space with a reduced environmental footprint. We are our proud that our work on Vancity’s Mount Tolmie branch resulted in a LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors rating.

The new Aldergrove Port of Entry in Langley, BC is nearing completion. Full operation is expected towards the end of 2015. RATIO is proud to have been the Design Architect and Coordinating Registered Professional for the project and many other ports across British Columbia.

CEO’s who intend to optimize a key asset, their workforce, will want to challenge them to be more productive, creative and innovative. To achieve this, workspace design must appeal to three broad categories of well-being; the physical, cognitive and emotional.

The RATIO designed Brawn Water Pump Station in Langley, BC is a practical and beautiful example of how infrastructure can co-exist in our communities. See more about our Brawn project here.

How can employers create space that serves the diverse needs of worker demographics and culture while inspiring creative collaboration and productivity? A workspace design plan should offer solutions with clear intent and outcomes.It should address the challenges of the modern office with consideration for the tension between public and private workspace. This means creating space for collaboration while allowing for focused, task-oriented space. Consider how to control visual distraction and accommodate for a diverse workforce including introverts and extraverts. And, your workspace plan should reflect and reinforce your brand values.

Our process is creative, collaborative and innovative, but backed by pragmatic business reason. The hand sketch is a tool. It is a step between the insights gathered in the pre-design phase and a schematic design. It is a visual synthesis of the data and project goals.

A forward-thinking credit union branch design helps First West achieve enviable financial performance. In June of 2014, the first of the Ratio designed Envision Financial branch concept opened in Chilliwack , BC at Garrison Crossing. With a visionary operational model, First West Credit Union’s investment into a future-focused branch network for their Envision Financial brand paid off with more new members and positive revenue results.

The opportunity to  share holiday spirit with children and fellow members of the design community was one we couldn’t pass up. In early December  RATIO took part  in the  13th annual holiday tradition  called We Care, started and organized by our friends at Workplace Resource .  Each year 10 design firms develop craft ideas that can be… Read more »

Recently RATIO was asked by The Financial Brand for perspective on when a financial institution should rebrand. Having worked with some of Canada’s leading credit unions on rebrand strategies where the built environment is integral, RATIO has unique experience to share. The ‘when to rebrand’ question and perspectives offered up in the article are relevant for all businesses — not just FIs — who want to be competitive in their marketplace.

The best loved buildings in BC have been nominated and voted on in the Architectural Foundation of BC’s 100 Best Buildings Contest. RATIO is proud to have designed or involvement in four of the projects nominated. Nominations could be any structure or building in British Columbia that are best-loved, for whatever reason.

RATIO designed Salmon Arm Saving & Credit Union uptown branch was recently awarded ‘Best Retail’ in the sixth annual Southern Interior Construction Association Commercial Building Awards. In the spring of 2014, RATIO was awarded two 2014 BC Wood Design Awards in for this project: the Commercial Wood Design award; and RATIO principal Mike Mammone was honoured with the Architect Award.

To celebrate 100 years of architecture in British Columbia, the Architecture Foundation of British Columbia is staging the 100 Best Buildings Contest.

This spring BC residents were invited to nominate their favourite building in which to live, work or play. Nominations could be any structure or building in British Columbia that are best-loved, for whatever reason.

Nominations have closed but now it is time for the public to vote for their favourites to make up the Top 100 Buildings. Have your say and vote now. The top 25 will be chosen from each of the four regions. This October judges will determine the top 3 winning buildings from each region.

Envision Financial, under the umbrella of First West Credit Union has opened the door to a new way of banking. It also introduces a fresh, cohesive design concept for the merged credit union network under First West. Their newest branch, at Garrison Crossing in Chilliwack, introduces this new member experience. During the design and planning process RATIO and the First West team re-imagined the credit union from the perspective of its true definition: a cooperative organisation of individuals for a common purpose; and as a key community stakeholder. Design decisions were made based on the client’s very successful brand drivers.

The Vancouver Public Library Foundation has launched an innovative fundraising campaign on Fundrazr for their free digital lab project dubbed the Inspiration Lab. Check out their video and donation rewards on Fundrazr. You’ll find out what the Inspiration Lab is all about and hear from project supporter Ace Fipke, CEO & Founder of Nerd Corps Entertainment.

RATIO is proud to lead the creative design for the Inspiration Lab. RATIO, in consultation with library staff, has helped to define and refine the new Inspiration Lab space. The plan for the lab maintains a cohesive link to the existing library architecture designed by renowned architect, Moshe Safdie. The sketch above shows how different activity zones will relate to one another and fit in within the original library space.

As part of the City of Vancouver’s Digital Strategy released last year, the Vancouver Public Library is re-imagining what a library ought to be in the connected world of today. A priority is the development of a new space within its Downtown Central Branch with creative design coming from RATIO. This space (approximately 6000 sf) will house a digital media workspace, dubbed the Inspiration Lab. The area is envisioned as a hub where people can create, learn, interact and collaborate through technological tools and resources. What makes this space different is the introduction of creative activities into a traditional library setting. Imagine a space with graphic, audio and multimedia tools that encourage creativity. Imagine a flexible and collaborative workspace as opposed to banks of library work desks and enclosed meeting spaces. Imagine vibrant and dynamic space that can be used in a multitude of ways, for various events and circumstances.

Here’s a first glance at what the new Aldergrove border crossing will look like. This rendering, prepared by RATIO for Public Works & Government Services Canada, shows the upgrades including two new lanes for commercial truck traffic and a new commercial inspection facility.  RATIO is Architect and Coordinating Professional on the new $17.7M Aldergrove Port… Read more »

RATIO is proud to be part of The Lark Group’s team as Architect and Coordinating Professional on the new $17.7M Aldergrove Port of Entry. RATIO principal Mike Mammone said, “this project continues RATIO’s long standing relationship with both Public Works & Government Services Canada and the Canadian Border Services Agency.” The announcement by the federal… Read more »