Canadian Headquarters Renovation and New Entrance

As a long-term client of ours, The J.M. Smucker Company asked Domokur & Associates to provide a new floor layout to improve their existing headquarters office at Markham, Ontario in Canada. Workstation capacity needed to increase, and the interior finishes needed to be updated. The renovations focused on both floors of their existing office building, and included adding a new formal visitor entry and transforming an underutilized atrium space into a new social, café-style space for staff to enjoy and use for informal work meetings.

Having enjoyed working with us in the US, and being pleased with our work at their Canadian Headquarters more than a decade ago, The J.M. Smucker Company asked us to work with them on this project. As our client, they were included as an active contributing design team member. They participated in a series of interactive, virtual reality work sessions where they provided valuable feedback early in the design process. Their involvement helped us design the floor plans to meet their specific needs, and determine the material palette for both the façade of the new entry and the interior finishes. Through in-depth discussions, we recognized and confirmed with The J.M. Smucker Company that the building’s visual identity needed to be improved and communicate the Smucker’s brand.

To enhance the Smucker experience, we determined that relocating the main building entrance would establish a better site presence, as well as a better guest and visitor experience. We also recognized that by providing a new entry addition, the existing office atrium space (previously used as the office’s main entry) could be repurposed to better meet the needs of the company’s growing employee base and increase employee productivity.

The new entry is primarily clad in an eye-grabbing red façade panel that matches the Smucker brand, and is prominently located on the existing building’s main façade. It provides a new reception, lobby, and huddle space while still ensuring staff and office security. This new space made the old office entry (a double-height atrium space) redundant. Seeing this as an opportunity, we reactivated and repurposed it to accommodate an employee-only entry and employee common spaces. It is no longer a simple thoroughfare through the building. Instead it’s a new coffeehouse-inspired breakout and gathering space for staff to have informal meetings and conversations. Featuring writable wall surfaces and soft seating to encourage huddle-type meetings, the new atrium layout includes an interior palette of rustic-inspired flooring, playfully arranged lighting fixtures, lowered ceilings, and a wood trellis canopy. These design elements reduce the voluminous effect of the atrium, and enhance the cozy café feeling. New test and demonstration kitchens were also established to showcase The J.M. Smucker Company’s products at work. Satisfied with our services once again, we continue to help The J.M. Smucker Company maintain and develop their Canadian Headquarters building.