Photography by A-Frame
By relocating its headquarters into HOK’s retrofit of the former General Motors of Canada head office, Ontario Power Generation was able to consolidate teams and strengthen connectivity across the organization. Employees benefit from closer collaboration, a renewed sense of shared culture, and operational efficiency. Diverse flexible environments replace traditional assigned seating, enabling employees to choose how and where they work throughout the day. Specialty spaces include a cafeteria, fitness centre, auditorium, boardroom complex, atrium, IT tech bar, innovation lab and centralized control facilities. These areas accommodate everything from mission-critical operations to informal collaboration, learning and social connection. Settings that support neurodiversity are integrated throughout. The central rotunda and grand staircase acts as the communal heart, drawing people out of work areas and supporting intuitive wayfinding without heavy reliance on signage. Colossal, colourful statue columns—Ettore Sottsass’s vibrant ceramic Memphis totem poles on steroids—anchor the space.
As appeared in the July/August 2026 Best of Canada Awards issue of Canadian Interiors magazine.
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