Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1408886
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 7 SGH Design Partners BUILDING WORKPLACES OF THE FUTURE I worked there for 13 years, which was really great. It was during my time at ZAS that I started having conversations on a possible transition to SGH Design Partners, about joining, but those conversations died off. "I had a young family at the time and wanted to spend more time with them, so I joined the real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle [JLL]. I found that I wasn't suited to work on the inside of a large corporation. When Monika approached me, the lure was the opportunity of owning my own firm and getting back to the kind of career I knew I loved. SGH had a great brand and reputable culture. I saw the potential for the firm to grow given my previous experiences and the great relations in the industry," explains Tanfield. It turned out that Tanfield and Sarkisian would be an absolute powerhouse together; the former with more than 20 years experience in the design, con- struction, and project management sectors of the industry, and the latter with strength in design and real estate strategy, and the ability to maintain a clear vision of what is relevant to ensure the best solutions are implemented for cli- ents. Two very different people, but with one aligned vision, and always more than happy to be in the weeds of every project. Once they took over the business, the duo were ready to shift gears and really see what this independent, privately-owned corporate interior design studio was capable of. And the growth was explosive. Today, SGH specializes in five sectors: technology, finance, law, consumer branding, and professional services, and has a dream list of Fortune 500 compa- nies as clients; from RBC Bank, TD Bank, Spotify to Sobeys, Folger Rubinoff, and Grant Thornton. Each so very different … exactly as SGH likes it. The projects they have been involved in have been really rather spectacu- lar. Take for instance Munich RE on Bay Street in Toronto. SGH was retained to totally revamp and re-imagine the occupied, tired, and rather traditional space. A dream client with a forward-thinking view. The project involved opening up the existing work-structure and encouraging interaction between the various teams and floors. It was a true transformation from closed office to a welcoming and dynamic space that set the standard for future work with the firm. "The client wanted to stand out in both performance and how they look and feel. The challenging piece was that they occupy sev- eral floors on a small footprint, which made the vertical connectivity extremely important without being repetitious. Even today, this is a timeless design with artwork that was handpicked by the CEO at the time," says Sarkisian. Another great example of projects that showcase SGH's versatility is the Wildeboer Dellelce LLP offices on Bay Street. Working as a trusted advisor for the client during the real estate review process, SGH provided strategic workplace guidance in analysing the choice to either relocate or stay in the existing loca- tion. In the end it was determined renovation of their current office space was the ideal choice. This multi-floor office space underwent extensive renovations that modernized the office into a playful yet sophisticated space. This law office was transformed into a bright open space filled with light and texture consis- tent with a radiant and transparent look and feel. The client loved the design so much and returned for a second expansion. Over on the West Coast, examples of the firm's versatility are everywhere. "We've entered into the retail work with our financial clients, co-creating and developing ideas to improve the customer experience. As design develops, SGH pushes the creativity and are encouraged to include elements of localization in the designs. Such elements might be native art, local highlights, or history. TD Nanaimo [B.C.] is a great example of this," says Sarkisian. While SGH's work and collaborative approach, both within the company and with clients, is beyond admirable, there is one thing that strikes you even more about this firm: they are so very real! Don't be surprised to find SGH staff at the wedding of one of their clients (because you can't help but feel like these guys are family), and don't get shocked if you enter into their office and get greeted by a furry four-legged employee, either! A Ipsos, Toronto, ON Ivanhoe, Cambridge, ON Wildeboer Dellelce LLP, Toronto, ON Innovior Construction, Vancouver, B.C.