Ultra Supper Club, Toronto, Ontario. Designed by Castor.

1. Freshening up your look can attract new customers and keep existing ones.

We all know that this is true for hospitality and entertainment enterprises. When a restaurant, night club, bar or theatre renovates their space everyone wants to go check it out. These types of social venues can completely revive their businesses by providing interior spaces that people want to spend time in.

But how does renovating in a tough economic climate attract attention to other types of businesses?

Retail business owners understand the value of their showroom design. The more time a customer spends in their store, the more likely they are to spend some money. Even a small facelift can pique the interest of both new and existing customers, and keeping up to date in style shows that you are with the times and care about your retail business’ image.

For personal service business like Lawyers, Real Estate Agencies, Investment Brokers, and Accountants, updating your space says a lot to your customers about the state of your company. A level of trust must be established with new and existing clients that you are stable enough to provide the long lasting care that is typically sought out in these types of services. Updating your space when times are tough can give your clients the confidence that you are positioned to endure the downturn and continue to provide the professional or personal services you are known for.

Dental Clinic, Victoria, British Columbia. Designed by Inoui Design Collective.

2. Cost of materials and labour is cheaper.

Anyone who completed a construction project during the Okanagan boom can attest to extremely high material and contractor pricing. During that time it was often quite difficult to find contractors to complete work, especially when it was on a small scale.

Construction is one of the first things to halt during a recession. Projects are put on hold, building start-ups are delayed and construction business owners are often forced to cut down the size of their crews to stay afloat.

The recession’s slowdown of the construction industry means that contractors must have a more competitive edge to acquire work. Deciding to renovate your space before the market picks up again could mean a great cost savings to your business. It also means that you are supporting contractors within your community at a time when they need it most, an integral aspect of sustainability that adds to the value of a project.

Red Velvet Vintage & Pretty Things. Springfield, Missouri.

3. Renovating when it is slow means less disruption when business picks up.

The market is already starting to pick up, but waiting to renovate until your business is back in full swing may mean not renovating at all. Renovations are disruptive to your daily business and will entail closing up shop or attempting to operate in the middle of a demolition and construction zone. Better to do this when things are slower so that you are ready in your new digs to do business when you need to.

The design and renovation process also takes some of your valuable time, whether it be meeting with your Interior Designer, interviewing General Contractors, or setting up your space once the construction is complete. When business gets busy it’s great to be able to give 100% to running it and ensuring your clients and customers are receiving the attention they deserve.

Conclusion

Your potential and existing clients are enticed by the new and the creative. Creating a buzz about your upcoming new look will generate excitement and pique the interest of your new and old customers. Strengthening your brand and updating your look can be tackled with a wide range of budgets, you don’t have to break the bank give your business’ interior a facelift. If your renovation is done well it can give your company the boost it needs during a recession.

» Does your commercial interior need a boost? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, BC – Inspired Interiors for a Modern World.

Both Architects and Interior Designers have established relationships with a variety of Contractors who can participate in the project tender. Additionally they are able to recognize contractors who will best fit your project goals allowing you to obtain the best combination of pricing, quality, and scheduling.

Sovereign Cycle Under Construction - Week 2

That being said, whether you are working with an design consultant or not, you (the Client and Owner), will be the one hiring the General Contractor, so it is extremely important to make sure you do your homework. Read on for a few tips to make the process of hiring a General Contractor a little less daunting. We’ll touch on:

• Licenses and Permits
• Insurance
• References
• Contract Terms
• and More.

Licenses and Permits
Like any business, General Contractors are required by law to have a current business license through the municipal Government. These licenses expire yearly, so when you ask to see it, inspect it closely to ensure it’s current. Municipal Governments also provide permits for various trades: mechanical (heating, cooling, plumbing), electrical, and renovation. Although these permits and licenses do not ensure a quality tradesperson, they are important to have.

Sovereign Cycle Under Construction - Week 3

Insurance
Make sure your General Contractor carries the proper insurance to cover any accidents that could occur on the job site. There are a variety of insurance types, your Contractor should have all of them. These include insurance against damage to the existing condition of the job site, injury of any workers, and replacement of any on site equipment or materials. If the Contractor does not have insurance, demand that they obtain some – temporary coverage is available.

Sovereign Cycle Under Construction - Week 4

References
If the Contractor is experienced and able to perform quality work, they will be able to provide solid references from other trades and previous clients. It seems like a lot to ask, but they should be able to easily supply at least 20 current people and/or businesses for you to interview. You don’t have to call every reference or interview them in great detail, but randomly selecting at least 5 from the list should provide the information you need. What sorts of questions should you ask?

• Did the Contractor complete the project on time? If not, were they able to work with the Client to satisfy and complete the project within a satisfactory timeline?
• Was the project completed on budget? If not, were they able to work with the Client to satisfy and complete the project within a satisfactory budget?
• Were there any problems on the job? If so, how were they handled?
• Was the Contractor respectful and easy to work with?
• Were there any unexpected or disputed charges? If so, were they addressed in a satisfactory manner?
• Were they happy with the end result? Have there been any deficiencies after project completion, and if so, how were they handled?

After your interviews, go to past projects in order to view some of the Contractor’s finished work.

Sovereign Cycle Under Construction - Week 7

Terms
Always put the terms of your verbal agreements into a written format. Your Interior Designer or Architect should be able to provide you with a contract for your use. The contract should include:

• Date,
• Identification of the Owner and Contractor,
• Project Specifications, or a reference to a drawing set,
• The scope of work, the expectations of the Owner and the Contractor,
• The proposed start and completion date,
• Times/days the Contractor is provided access to the job site,
• Outline of compensation and payment (refer to note below),
• Address a warranty period,
• Outline requirements for permits, licenses and insurance,
• Identify the required level of expertise of any Personnel working on the project, and
• Names and Signatures of the Owner, Contractor, and Witnesses.

Note, we always recommend “holdbacks”. The Contractor will invoice the Owner, the owner submit payment based on work completed minus a 10-15% holdback amount. At successful completion of the work, the Owner then releases any holdback amounts to the Contractor.

Sovereign Cycle - Complete!

Miscellaneous:
Here are few additional tips to help you avoid selecting the wrong Contractor:

• Do your research and narrow your bidders list to 3 Contractors. Ask each Contractor to provide a quote to ensure you are getting a fair price. When doing this make sure each Contractor has been given the same information to quote on, so you can make an equal comparison. All submitted quotes should include a description of the scope of work.
• Check the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no negative claims against the Contractor.
• Deposits or retainers for a Contractor should never be more than 15% up front. Sometimes a Contractor will need a small deposit (i.e. $2500) to secure his time. Then once he arrives with his tools on site, the remainder of the deposit is required.
• Only agree to payment schedules based on completion of work – not based on time.
• Ensure you Contractor has obtained the necessary permits. If you aren’t sure which permits are required, contact your Municipal Government.
• Do not pay your Contractor in cash; always use a cheque or certified cheque. Also ask for a receipt for any payments you have made. This way you can keep track of any money paid in case the project does go off-course.
• Last but not least, if something doesn’t feel quite right, it probably isn’t. Listen to your instincts – they are often right.

Now go get yourself a Contractor! Good Luck!

» Need an Interior Designer who can design your workplace and help you find a Contractor? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

The more information you can provide, the better. A well thought out and accurate RFP will save time for both you and your designer, and will also save you money in the long run. You may not have information to provide regarding all of the items listed below (there may be some that are revealed during the design process), but any insight you can provide from the get-go is beneficial to your project and to the designers you’ve invited to prepare proposals.

What to Include in an RFP

First provide general information about your company and space.

• Name of your company and the specific person to contact in regards to your project. Include the company’s current address, telephone number, email and website address.
• Explain a bit about your company. What kinds of products or services do you provide? Who is your target market?
• Outline the reason for the project. ie. require more space, updating your existing space, rebranding, increasing functionality, etc.

Next you will define the objectives and specific information pertaining to your project.

• Overview of the project. Renovation? Relocation? Expansion? New construction?
• What are your objectives? What do want to achieve with your project? ie. a space that reflects your company’s mandate and branding, a space that inspires your employee’s creativity, utilizing your existing space more effectively, etc.
• Project location.
• Desired construction start date and completion date.
• Size of the space in square feet or metres.
• Your budget for consultant fees and construction. Read on for further detail on this subject.
• The number of employees you have.

Thirdly start to think about and record the specific needs that the Interior Designer must address and accommodate.

• What types of spaces will you need? Indicate how many and/or the total area required. ie. reception/waiting, offices, sales floor, fitting rooms, staff room, boardroom, storage, etc.
• Importance of sustainable practices and if you would like to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designation.
• Any other information specific to your project that may be valuable to the Interior Designer. ie. elaborate on any special requirements that your project has.

Another important topic to address is your project’s budget.

Divulging your budget to a potential Interior Design candidate is beneficial for a couple of reasons: a) potential designers should be able to provide insight on whether or not the budget is practical for the project, b) the designer you hire will be able to work within a realistic budget to ensure your project meets this criteria.

• Provide your best estimate project budget.
• Outline what is to be covered within this budget. ie. design and consultant fees, construction, furniture, permits, contingencies, sales tax, etc.
• Let the designer know if you are planning to lease fixtures and/or furniture.

Outline in the RFP what information you have available to the designer regarding the existing space.

Existing drawings that you can acquire should save you time and money, and will provide useful information for the designer in both preparing their proposal and during the design process. Drawings are sometimes available through the landlord, facilities manager, or Real Estate agent.

• Base building drawings, hardcopy or digital.
• Drawings of existing space, hardcopy or digital. This may include architect and engineer’s drawings.

Let the candidates know if you have existing furniture, fixtures or equipment that you will be reusing for your new space.

At this stage the information pertaining to this can be somewhat general, explaining that you will reuse your existing office furniture or that the space you are moving into has a fantastic reception desk that may work perfectly for you.

It often helps for the designers to be able to take a look at the new space or space being renovated.

If you have access to your new space you may include a date and time that candidates may view the site, or set up individual walk-through’s with interested designers.

List the services you expect your Interior Designer to provide.

This typically includes the programming stage to the project administration stage, but there are some optional services throughout the process that you may or may not want. This condensed list will provide an idea of what is and what can be included in each stage of the design process:

Programming

• Investigate and explore the Client’s goals and listen to their ideas.
• Develop an in depth program to address needs and wants of the Client.

Schematic Design

• A site measure of your new or existing space.
• Updates to the owner provided CAD drawing based on existing site.
• Creation of CAD drawing based on existing site conditions.
• Review of building code & local regulations as it pertains to your project.
• Space plan(s).

Design Development

• Basic design development sketches of key ideas and millwork.
• Presentation of recommended finishes, fixtures, and furniture.
• Perspective renderings of the design concept through 3D modeling.

Contract Documents

• A complete set of interior design construction drawings (ready for permits, pricing, and construction): floor plans, ceiling plans/basic lighting plans, basic electrical plans, elevations, details/sections, and finish specifications.
• Coordination with other project consultants.
• Preparation of project phasing plan.

Project Tender

• Preparation of all materials required for building permit application by Client.
• Identifying potential General Contractors/Project Managers to provide a competetive bid on the project.
• Communications with bidders during tender.
• Review of submitted bids with Client.
• Coordination of contract between Client and selected General Contractor/Project Manager.

Project Administration

• Communication with General Contractor over the course of construction.
• Site visits to review any deficiencies and inspect completed work.
• Follow-up documentation as needed to monitor changes and provide direction to the General Contractor.
• Review of progress payment applications as submitted by General Contractor.

Furniture, Fixture and Equipment (FF and E) Procurement

• Coordinate delivery and installation of FF and E.

Going through the above items and preparing an RFP document outlining as much information as possible will help to get your project off on the right foot. If you know what you want, it is easier for your designer to prepare for it. When your designer has the information they need to give you an accurate RFP there will be fewer surprises over the duration of your project. Don’t get us wrong, we do like surprises… but the ones we like involve unexpected weekend road trips or come wrapped in pretty paper, not added cost and extended schedules!

» Renovating or moving your business into a new space and looking for an Interior Designer? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

How Do You Choose?

If you are moving your business into a new space or renovating your existing space you will most likely be looking for professional Interior Design help. There are many Designers out there so, how do you know who to choose? We’ll arm you with the information you need to make an informed decision by explaining:

• Why all Designers are not created equal,
• How a qualified Designer can benefit you, and
• The steps for finding a qualified Designer.

Registered Interior Designer, Interior Designer, and Decorator – The Difference

First of all, it is important to understand how the title “Registered Interior Designer” (RID) differs from the titles “Interior Designer” or “Decorator”. Each definitely have their place in providing design services for your interiors, but for commercial projects (that typically require advanced technical knowledge and experience) hiring an RID ensures you will receive the highest levels of quality assurance.

Semperviva Yoga Designed by Inoui Design Collective, RID’s in Victoria, BC. Photos by Makito Inomata

In British Columbia, and most provinces except for Ontario and Nova Scotia, the title ‘Interior Designer’ is not regulated. This means that currently anyone can call themselves an ‘Interior Designer’ whether they are qualified or not. To ensure you are working with a qualified professional, make sure you look for a Registered Interior Designer – RID. Information on where you can go to find an RID, is provided a little later in this article.

The Road to Becoming an RID

The road to becoming a Registered Interior Designer (RID) involves many steps that ensure one has the education, experience, and skills necessary that allow them to write the North American examination. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) is a North American certification association who determines if a potential candidate meets the regulations to write the exam. While the education component has become ever stricter, it is guaranteed that an RID has a combination of education and qualified interior design work experience. Once the education and experience components of the application process have been verified it is time to write the exam. This is no easy task! If writing the entire three parts at once, you are writing three exams over two days, eight hours each day, very intense to say the least.

Designed by KBH Interior Design Inc. in Toronto, Ontario.

Once you have successfully passed the three part NCIDQ exam you are ready to apply with your provincial association in order to practice professionally. But this is not all! Like most professions today, RID’s are required to keep their knowledge up to date by completing a specified amount of continuing education to keep them current and informed.

How can an RID Benefit You?

So, if we still have your attention, we’re sure you’re wondering, “how can working with a Registered Interior Designer (RID) benefit me”? Well because RID’s have a reputable education, depth in experience, and a proven skill set – the highest level of recognition achievable for Interior Designers in BC and North America – they can create a space for your business that should:

• Enhance the quality of life for its occupants;
• Strengthen workplace productivity;
• Increase the frequency of consumer visits;
• Heighten consumer spending; and
• Augment business profitability.

An RID has experience on a variety of project types and their ability to solve problems allow them to create a comprehensive set of drawings – this attention to detail typically leads to fewer on-site changes thus keeping projects on budget and on schedule.

Designed by Shearer Designs, in Calgary, Alberta.

Another benefit to you is that in order to maintain the title “RID” the Designer has to complete a required number of continued education courses each year. Because of this requisite, you can be sure your RID has the most up-to-date industry knowledge with which to apply on your project.

RID’s are also required to carry Professional Liability Insurance and uphold a Professional Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Each of these requirements are of benefit to anyone hiring an RID.

If you would like more information regarding the benefits an RID can bring to your business, check out a variety of Whitepapers by clicking here.

How to Find a Registered Interior Designer

Now that you know about the profession and steps for Designers become qualified, how do you select a Registered Interior Designer (RID) that is right for your project?

Begin by doing some research:
The Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC) has a list on their website citing all RID’s in British Columbia; this will enable you to find a Professional Interior Designer in your area. If you are located outside of British Columbia take a look on the website of the Interior Design Association serving your province for a similar listing of their members. The National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) also has a list of certificate holders available on their website. Although having the NCIDQ exam doesn’t make you an RID, it does mean you have met the minimum level for qualification as an Interior Designer in North America.

For a list of Provinces with regulated Interior Design Associations, see the Interior Designers of Canada website.

Check out candidate’s websites to determine what kind of projects the person or firm specializes in. Take a peek at their portfolio and look for references or testimonials.

Design by Sizeland Evans in Calgary, AB.

Meet with or speak to the potential Designers:
It is important that you can connect and effectively communicate with the Interior Designer you select as communication is essential to the success of your project.

When interviewing your potential Interior Designer(s) there are a number of items that the Designer will want to address to ensure they can put a well-informed proposal together. Do some thinking about the following topics prior to the meeting to help facilitate the process:

• Your company’s brand, products and services, and how that relates to your preferred aesthetic style.
• Your timeline and completion date. Keep in mind the more time you are able to give your Designer and Contractor the better. When putting together a proposal, your Designer will consider the timeline – brisk timelines usually result in higher rates.
• Your budget. Be honest and forthcoming about the money you have to spend; a trustworthy designer (which an RID must be as they follow an enforced code of ethics) will work diligently to ensure they are designing within that amount or will tell you if the budget is impractical prior to accepting the project.
• Your existing furniture, fixtures or equipment that you wish to incorporate into the new workplace.
• Your plans for the growth of your business.
• Your values pertaining to green design or sustainability
• Information on any other consultants considered for the project – Engineers (Mechanical/Electrical/Structural), Architects, Lighting Designers, Acoustic Designers, General Contractors.

If most of these items are not addressed by the Interior Designer it might indicate that they are not a correct fit for your project. It’s also a good idea to ask the Interior Designer for references from past clients and other industry professionals.

Designed by Design 360 Inc. in Halifax, NS.

Obtain proposal(s):
Request proposals from one or more of the Designers you are interested in working with. Preparing a detailed ‘Scope of Work’ document beforehand will give the Designer(s) a basis from which to prepare their proposal. More information on preparing a Scope of Work document or Request for Proposal (RFP) will be discussed in an upcoming entry. Review and compare submitted proposals to ensure that the contender(s) has a good understanding of the scope of work involved and that all of the services you require are accounted for. The proposal should outline the terms of the agreement between the Client and Designer.

Award the project:
Make a selection based on the information you have gathered. Consider your timeline, budget, comfort level, and the Designer’s qualifications when making your decision. Make sure there is a written agreement or contract in place – typically this will be provided by the Designer and may be included in the proposal.

While the process may take anywhere from a week to a month, following these steps will have you working with a designer who you are comfortable with and more importantly, confident in. With the right designer the process should be fun and hassle-free, as they will take care to ensure that it is as smooth for you as it can be. Remember a Registered Interior Designer must look out for your best interest.

Good luck with your project!

» Interested in hiring our Registered Interior Designers for your next commercial project? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

Vignette series by Teknion

As Interior Designers, we often find that little space or money are allocated to waiting areas in the space plans for office settings. Often, when budgets are tight, one of the first areas to suffer in commercial design projects include waiting areas. Makes sense right? Well, in our opinion, it doesn’t.

Waiting areas, which are part-in-parcel with receptions spaces, offer the first impression to clients visiting your business. While your customers sit in the waiting area, they keep themselves entertained by looking at your space often judging your business on what they see. First impressions are everything; they tell your client a lot about your business culture, and because of that, they should be given a lot of consideration in the Interior Design. Don’t believe me, check out Skype’s waiting area – says a lot about them, doesn’t it?

Skype Office Design by PS Arkitektur

The current trend in commercial design, is to incorporate “homey” elements to add warmth to a space. We agree; working towards a residential feel creates a comfortable environment for employees and visitors; however, it does require careful consideration as durability is always a requirement in commercial interior design. Always look for furniture products that have met BIFMA standards to ensure you’re purchasing a chair that will last for years to come. Interested in creating a residential feel? Built-in seating is always a great way to use space to it’s maximum, while creating a comfy seating area using different fabric textures, patterns, or colours. Check out this waiting area that incorporates the custom bench. Great isn’t it?

Waiting Area by ZDS Architects

Sometimes you just don’t have the budget for built in seating or perhaps your client is considering moving in a short period of time. In those cases, flexible seating is ideal. For example, perhaps the seating is re-configurable, like the image below, or maybe it has a duel purpose with storage inside.

DNA seating by Teknion

Sometimes an inspiring waiting area just needs a great chair, we’ve pulled out a few of our favourites in a range of prices:

Marche Seating by Global

B-Sit by Haworth

Capa by Coalesse for Steelcase

ML Chair by Global

Hans Wenger Shell Chair by Coalesse for Steelcase

» Looking to update the interior design of your waiting area or office space? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

Happy Holidays to everyone who has helped make 2011 a successful year for Hatch Interior Design. We truly appreciate the support of our clients and colleagues and wish you a healthy and productive New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2012!

» Do you have a commercial renovation or new build for the New Year? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

A comfortable working environment makes for happy and productive employees. This concept is not rocket science, we simply work more efficiently when our workstations are designed in a way that fit our bodies. There are many products available for office interior design that allow for flexibility so that whoever sits down at a desk will be comfy while working there.

One of the biggest names in office ergonomics is Humanscale who focus solely on ergonomic office chairs and ergo tools. While they do have a variety of adjustable task chairs, we would like to share a few of our favourite, designed to fit you, tools.

Monitor Arms

As mentioned on their site, there are a couple of great benefits to the movement towards flat screen monitors. They not only save desk space, but they also allow for the monitors to be mounted on adjustable arms. Humanscale offers a variety of arms to suit how you work, whether it be a single, double or more (up to eight!) monitor setup. The arms allow for the monitor to be adjusted to the right height. The top frame of the monitor should be at eye level so that you do not have to look up to see the screen straining your neck and eyes.

Humanscale’s M8, M8 with crossbar and Para/Flex

Keyboard Trays

It’s easy to prevent painful carpal tunnel syndrome with the right tool, an adjustable keyboard tray. An articulating tray allows for your wrists to be in the right position as to not put pressure on the nerves causing numbness in fingers. You know how your keyboard sits up on little stands in the back so that the keyboard is tilted towards you? That is apparently not the best position for our hands as we have to bend at our wrists to use it. It is a designed that way because that is how the typewriter was set up, funny how that happens. It is all around better for your posture and wrists to have a negatively tilted keyboard.

Check out Humanscale’s keyboard tray systems, each allows for attaching a mouse pad as well.

Task Lighting

Lighting requirements differ from person to person depending on our age and the health of our eyes. Some prefer to work in a dim environment while others need a lot of light to perform their work tasks. To accommodate all ages and eyes task lighting should be incorporated at workstations, preferably one with a variety of brightness settings.

Humanscale has two new task lights that are not only sleek looking and incredibly easy to position wherever you need it, they are also LED!

Humanscale’s Horizon and Element Vision LED task lights

» Do you need a hand with your office ergonomics? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

Think by Steelcase

The engineering in today’s task seating is astounding! A truly ergonomic chair allows for complete adjustability for people of all shapes and sizes. Adjustment options should include:

• The degree of recline (back tilt),
• The seat depth and height,
• The armrest height, width, depth and angle,
• The depth and height of lumbar support,
• The position of the headrest,
• Tilt tension, and
• Back height.

Now although the primary requirement for a task chair is ergonomics, it’s gotta look great too! Here are a few of our favourite ergonomic chairs offering sleek, modern designs.

Fitz by Teknion

Liberty by Humanscale, Sayl by Herman Miller

Ok, you’re wondering how much those gorgeous chairs must cost. Although many of them are relatively affordable, you wouldn’t be wrong to assume a great task chair could cost you upwards of $600, but there are a number of affordable options out there, that have much of the adjustability as well. Below are a few examples.

Roma by Global

Accord by Global

Celle by Herman Miller

Remember investing in comfort will go a long way to making your business more profitable. The more comfortable your employees are, the more productive they can become. Injured and sore employees typically need to take time off to recover; reduce the number of sick days through the application of ergonomics. Functional task seating is just one aspect of ergonomics however. Check the hatch blog regularly for additional information on ergonomic office solutions in upcoming entries of our series on office interior design.

» Need to source some ergonomic task seating to complete the design of your workplace? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace.

Global’s got the right idea with their new Graphic Panel available on Boulevard & Evolve panels. This allows for ultimate customizability to work with your brand and create an atmosphere you want for your business. It would also allow employees to personalize their workstations by having them choose images that reflect themselves, their work and your company.

Artopex’s Air Line is another manufacturer to check out for contemporary workstations with flare. Like most modular office furniture manufacturers, they offer a variety of accessories to ensure your workplace is as functional as required while looking great. They’ve got some funky worktop shapes and a wide range of finishes to choose from.

These workstations by Knoll have a subtle funkiness with small details that add a design appeal. They are also PVC and VOC free, and include both post-consumer and post-industrial recycled material.

» Interested in finding out how these furniture systems can be integrated into your new office design? Contact Hatch Interior Design located in Kelowna, BC – “Sustainable Interior Design Solutions for the Modern Workplace”.

Hatch Interior Design Inc. has recently acquired the expertise of Rachel Clarida of RA Design. Rachel is excited to become a partner at Hatch and looks forward to building on the fresh, forward-thinking designs that Hatch has become known for. Together Rachel and Leigh, Hatch’s founding partner, have made it their mission to become the Okanagan’s go-to commercial Interior design firm; using their education, experience and passion they aim to provide businesses with creative, functional and sustainable interior solutions. With a number of exciting projects currently on the go and a few more potential projects on the horizon, the new team is hitting the ground running.

Rachel, a Registered Interior Designer, is dedicated to the profession of Interior Design and holds a Bachelor of Architectural Science. Not only is she the founder and Chair of the Okanagan Chapter for the Interior Designers Institute of BC, she’s also an Interior Design Instructor at the Center for Arts and Technology, and a Director at Large on the Board of Management for the Interior Designers of Canada. Rachel has a passion for design and strives to provide clients with big firm services on a personal level.

After almost two years in business, Leigh is thrilled to welcome Rachel to the Hatch team! “Rachel is such a talented and dedicated designer, and I know she’ll be an integral part of making Hatch Interior Design Kelowna’s go-to commercial Interior Design Firm. They say, work with people you like; I know with Rachel, things are bound to be fun” says Leigh.

» Are you interested in working with Rachel and the Hatch team? Contact Hatch Interior Design Inc. located in Kelowna, British Columbia – Sustainable Interior Solutions for the Modern Workplace.