January 29, 2007

HOWARD WAISMAN

Symbolic planting in the reception area of the Junktion provides a sense of harmony, peace and good fortune.

Architecture

Design captures cultural harmony, sustainability

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

An innovative design that promotes cultural harmony and environmental sustainability is at the heart of a new workspace created for the specialist removal company 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Designed by award-winning Bunting Coady Architects, the 40,000-square-foot offices, known as the Junktion, incorporate the harmonizing elements of earth, water, fire, plant, air/wind and metal to create a healthy and productive working environment.

“We incorporated natural elements indigenous to the West Coast as touchstones common to all people and all cultures, making visitors and staff feel welcome and comfortable,” said Teresa Coady, principal and managing partner of Bunting Coady. “This is a truly international space.”

To accommodate a burgeoning corporate staff, the junk removal service vacated its 16,000-square-foot Granville Island location in favour of space on West Hastings Street. The office has views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Mountains.

In a joint release, the architects and 1-800-GOT-Junk? said studies have shown that blending natural elements into the workspace can positively enhance psychological well being, thereby helping to reduce stress and increase employee productivity

HOWARD WAISMAN

A state of the art glass and metal staircase, linking earth to sky, connects all three floors in the Junktion and emphasizes the harmony between people and places that is a focal point of the design.

The company’s new head office contains many features emphasizing the importance of the relationship between people and nature.

These include:

• An open plan design using few doors, which provides staff with maximum access to natural daylight as well as spectacular water and mountain views over the city’s historic Stanley Park.

• A state-of-the art glass and metal staircase, linking earth to sky, connects all three floors in the Junktion and emphasizes the harmony between people and places that is a focal point of the design.

• Glass tiles are used to symbolize a babbling brook and large rocks in the 8th floor lobby which will provide a distinctive seating area for staff and clients. Symbolic planting provides a sense of harmony, peace and good fortune.

• A circulation path, signified by wooden flooring and wood-coloured carpet, represents the forest path in a West Coast rainforest and firmly links the international company to its Pacific Northwest roots.

• Wall and banner graphics, designed by Junktion staff, highlight the company’s core philosophy, “It’s All About People.”

A strong commitment to the environment is reflected throughout the office space, which is located in Vancouver’s Guinness Tower.

The wood flooring, prominent throughout, is constructed from fallen tree branches collected from sustainable managed forests.

The broadloom and carpet tiles are CRI Green Label certified for VOC emissions and contain no PVC.

Existing cabinetry, interior wall glazing, doors, door frames and door glazing have all been reused or reclaimed during demolition.

The company invested one-third of its $2.1 million renovation budget on the glass and metal staircase.

Brain Scudamore, founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, is enthusiastic about the company’s head office.

“Communication and culture are the two key components of our company. Our new space facilitates open communication and creates a setting that is truly conducive to our energetic and enthusiastic culture.”

Founded in 1989, the company has more than 300 franchise locations in North America, Australia and the United Kingdom.

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