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DECEMBER 2019 | 7 Linebox Studio PHOTOGRAPHY BY (TOP) JUSTIN VAN LEEUWEN; (MIDDLE) JAMES C. LEE; (BOTTOM) CLAUDE-SIMON LANGLOIS In stark contrast, and an exam- ple of the versatility of the team at Linebox, is the 178,000-square-feet Shopify project at 620 King St. West in Toronto. "This was a very challeng- ing project in downtown Toronto with aggressive timelines and many parties were involved," explains Reeves. "We worked closely with Shopify to develop the design vision that focused on trans- lating both the 'Toronto' and 'Shopify' culture into the space. Like all the designs we've done before for Shopify, the spaces included a mix of areas that work for individual and small group work to larger work pods and even larger gatherings and townhalls. "Much of the interior finishings and fixtures were locally sourced, add- ing to the authentic Shopify Toronto feel. The space is cool, urban, mod- ern but very cosy and comfortable too. The office is just opening now and the reviews have been wonderful!" Another great example from Linebox's portfolio that showcases the team's ability to challenge convention is the new office space for Ottawa Tech start-up Klipfolio. For some time Klipfolio had their eye on a very unique property in Ottawa's downtown core . . . a defunct movie theatre in the World Exchange Plaza. In 2017 they signed a lease and Linebox was more than keen to take on the challenge of this unusual space. "The double-height space pre- sented us with an amazing foundation to work with and being a fast growing company that wanted a forward-think- ing space that would foster creativity and interaction amongst staff," says Reeves. "We accomplished this by put- ting in a balance of different types of spaces, anchored by a kitchen/bar and a large central staircase to facilitate circulation and encourage engagement between team members as they pass one another." Leaving conduit pipes exposed and painted in bright colours introduces fun and brightness into the spaces; a true stamp of Linebox and its client. Linebox has indeed become known as a company that embraces the quirky and offbeat, and that is something that resonates at the very core of the com- pany and makes it such a success (and a great place to work at). "We're con- stantly challenging our clients and ourselves to think about things differ- ently: what does is actually mean to work, for instance, is a question we often ask. The answer is surprisingly differ- ent for everyone. Our architecture and design responds to this," says Reeves. Walk into any of the three Linebox offices in Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal, and you will witness team members gathered around, throwing around ideas, designing stand-out buildings, and basically, having fun. "Our team is made up of really solid people who support one another. We encourage people to take chances and also ownership over what they do – we're a relatively 'flat' organiza- tion and are so on purpose – we want people to take initiative and act like entrepreneurs themselves. Above all, we have fun and are extremely pas- sionate, and that attitude extends to those we choose to work with - one of our Mantras 'Look for Good' is explicit in the fact that we only work with decent people," says Reeves. It's easy to see why Linebox manages to retain not only staff, but clients too, and how it attracts people who are will- ing to be more playful in their approach to design. In a world where work takes up so much of our time, Linebox is proof that having fun while working is indeed possible, and the results, well they speak for themselves. A Kirchoffer, Ottawa, ON. Klipfolio, Ottawa, ON. Mini House, Toronto, ON. El Camino — Clarence, Ottawa, ON.

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