The Company

Graymont is a global leader in lime and limestone solutions. Professionally managed and family-owned, the company has been in operation for 75 years. Headquartered in Canada, Graymont serves markets throughout North America and Asia-Pacific and is a strategic partner with Mexican-based Grupo Calidra. With a long-standing company history, Graymont was ready to take its workplace to the next level, creating a flexible, interactive, and welcoming hybrid work environment.

 

The Problem

Graymont made the switch from a traditional in-office work framework to a hybrid model. With the shift, they had the chance to transform the workspace to better define Graymont as a company while also providing a more welcoming and inviting space for employees and company conferences. Space planning discovered that the company’s existing design and layout were insufficiently utilized and could be better structured to provide better use of space and increased amenities. Similar to other companies who have embraced hybrid work, they wanted to give a new workstation and office standard that was ergonomic and adapted easily to the different workers that are on site each day. With a better thought-out workflow and space, Graymont was able to transform its common and collaboration areas and install a conference centre and a cutting-edge boardroom.

Furthermore, the old design and layout were antiquated and not as welcoming as they desired. Graymont wanted to bring an exciting energy that stimulates interaction and community and encourages staff back to the office. As a company with deep roots, Graymont has nailed down its brand identity and wanted a space reflecting its values, vision, and history. In order for the head office to best represent Graymont, workplace branding was integrated within all facets of the design. Designers were challenged to seamlessly blend Graymont’s story and workplace branding within the design.

 

The Design and Featured Elements

The renewed office incorporates Graymont’s brand identity and company story. The designers devoted special attention to detail and finishes, resulting in a design featuring minerality, soft angles, straight lines, and a west coast feel. In order for the head office to best represent Graymont, workplace branding was integrated within all facets of the design. Elements of Graymont’s logo are seen throughout the building, from the reception area to specific lighting features. The primary colour palette consists of Graymont’s brand colours: blues, blacks, and grey, with a secondary palette of orange, yellow, and pockets of green biophilia. Preserved foliage can be seen throughout the workplace, and the conference centre has a statement tree to brighten up the office. Natural elements were utilized to give visual relaxation, help focus, inspire creativity, and create a welcoming environment that fosters harmony within the workplace.

Some featured elements include:

 

Reception area: elevated LED-lit world map

A warm and hospitable reception area greets staff and visitors as they enter the establishment. Individuals will find an elevated wooden world map with LED lights to the left of the glass entry doors, signifying Graymont’s offices, mines, and plants across the globe. The map demonstrates Graymont’s global presence and illustrates its connection between all facets of the Company.

 

Staff lounge

Collaboration and flexibility are critical components of the new Graymont office. The new lunchroom and staff lounge are designed to encourage small informal meetings and more significant team events. There are various seating options, ranging from counter stools, long communal tables, booths, circular solo, and double seating; everyone has a space to enjoy lunch or casual interactions. With a fully stocked kitchen and great amenities, the new lunchroom is inviting, collaborative and has a café feel. Staff feel comfortable and have several communal areas to meet, relax, talk, and eat in a lively environment that helps them recharge or engage with colleagues.

 

Boardroom

The new Graymont office features an expansive boardroom which can support large gatherings and external personnel when required. The conference table comprises smaller units and is flexible, movable, and foldable. The table supports free movement and can be arranged in different combinations, including conference, classroom, and circular style, in accordance with the function of the meeting. The boardroom also integrates modern technology and features large screens that allow for presentations and unobtrusive video conferencing capabilities, along with an acoustic panel installation on 3 of 4 walls to help with sound mitigation and acoustic privacy.

 

Variety of meeting spaces

Employees have numerous individual workstations and touchdown desks but also have access to various meeting spaces, phone booths, and communal areas to break away from task-based independent work. When employees have more options and flexibility in how they work, they can function more effectively and have more opportunities for social interaction. All meeting rooms are highly optimized for hybrid work, seamlessly blending in-person and remote interactions. Furthermore, technological features are included to address inclusivity challenges posed by hybrid meetings. With improved audio and visual capabilities, remote attendees feel just as much a part of the conversation as in-person attendees, resulting in more equity across all meeting participants.

 

The outcome

The design goal was achieved by offering numerous spaces for employees to work, interact, socialize, and connect, all within the working environment. Within the new workplace, in-office and remote employees may easily engage and communicate, breaking down the barriers of hybrid work. Graymont’s new head office represents who they are, with subtle integrations of workplace branding; its history and story are interwoven seamlessly within the new hybrid work environment. Graymont has seen a rise in employee pride and an increased feeling of community among its staff. Overall, the final result includes a new collaborative and friendly design layout, improved facilities and technology, and ensures everyone has a beautiful experience with each visit.

 

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