CUPE conducted a three year search for a new home for their Ontario Regional Office, the hub and control centre for 27 district offices across Ontario. The existing building was chosen for its central location allowing easy transportation to and from the district offices and its ability to accommodate future growth and expansion.

The design reflects a new vision of organized labour, incorporating CUPE’s commitment to community and environmental activism while celebrating CUPE’s past. The spatial layout develops a sense of community for employees, and provides a home for all CUPE members across Ontario. The integration of office and meeting space with sitting areas, coffee rooms, a fitness room, a large staff lounge and an outdoor patio, encourages staff to connect with one another to create a positive and communal work environment.

A light and warm material palette of wood, regional limestone, coloured plaster and glass combine to create a high performance workplace. Designed in pursuit of LEED-CI Silver Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Commercial Interiors). The design demonstrates CUPE`s dedication to a more sustainable future.

An exterior renovation was completed to the existing 4-storey office building. The project involved significant improvements to the energy efficiency of the building’s envelope in addition to the creation of a modern identity. A rich palette of charcoal coloured aluminum panels, Algonquin limestone, standing seam zinc cladding, bird friendly glazing, new parapet cornices & exterior lighting were introduced. Improvements included increased insulation values and minimizing air leakage rates and complete replacement of all window frames coupled with high performing Low-E glass.