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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 79 Payworks Head Office P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y PAY WO R K S I N C . PAYWORKS HEAD OFFICE by JESSICA KIRBY T he new Payworks office build- ing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a beautifully crafted, four-sto- rey tribute to the company's focus and priority: its employees. The workforce management solutions company was founded in 2001 and has been head- quartered in Winnipeg ever since. The new space allows Payworks to deepen its investment and long-term roots in the city's south end, and it was designed by MMP Architects to accom- modate continued growth. "Payworks endeavoured to build an engaging and inspiring space in which its employees can collaborate and create," says Barb Gamey, Payworks co- founder. "The new building doubles the space for its Winnipeg team, which has more than doubled to 350-plus in the past six years, making up more than half Payworks' national workforce." The building is constructed mainly of precast concrete and architectural finishes. It features a separate two- level precast parkade structure for 330 vehicles and a surface lot, large fitness area, and golf simulator. Jared Akman, president of Akman Construction, says the building and parkade are mainly precast con- crete and structural steel. The team used phenolic cladding, architectural metal, brick, and Tyndall stone on the exterior, as well as a curtain wall sys- tem that was new to the company and to the Winnipeg market. "It was inter- esting and challenging because it was the first time we used it and it is a European system, so the tie-ins were different," Akman says. The building's architectural styling borrows elements from the West Coast Modern style and features strong con- trasts between the solid white and black cladding with stone and wood natural finishes. Large horizontal sections of glaz- ing wrap around the outside corners of the building, framed by an inte- grated sunshade system. The third and fourth storeys extend over the front entrance and the outdoor plaza located at the rear of the building, each with second floor balcony spaces. The building's form provides both natural lighting and views to the out- doors from all staff workstations, resulting in two offset rectangular wings connected by a central core. Locating the vertical transportation and service shafts within this core allowed for efficient mechanical and electrical distribution, while maintain- ing open floor areas for workstations. The project partners looked at building design trends and models and realized that, following the pan- demic, individuals would look for more personal working space and more elbow room within commu- nal spaces. "That became more than 20 meeting rooms, designated quiet rooms, and standing desk meeting spots," says Dustin Sharrow, principal and architect, with MMP Architects. "There are also a variety of ways to interact and reasons to get up from your desk." A mix of individual offices, open work areas, small collaboration spaces, large meeting areas, and des- ignated quiet rooms invite employees to explore a variety of environments to feel their most productive and connected. Both large and small gathering spaces intersect with major circulation routes, creating pockets of respite for impromptu meetings and socialization with coworkers. The interior design is driven by a desire for staff to feel welcomed and comfortable. "The feeling we've hoped to evoke throughout the building is one of warmth," says Jaclyn Christie, VP of marketing for Payworks. "We've selected natural, textural fabrics – ele- ments of denim, tweed, and more – and a balance of primary and sec- ondary brand colours, with sharp black accents to ground the space within the building's beautiful natu- ral light. We've also integrated plenty of fun, playful twists for the team to discover within the building, which aligns with who we are and what we're all about." "Incorporating a modern but warm aesthetic was very important to the clients," says Hailey Connor, interior designer with MMP. "We achieved this through the use of wood panelling and dark quartz, paired with more industrial elements including a steel staircase and reception desk." The 30,000-pound steel staircase, interstitial between the main and second floors, is built with precast concrete treads and exposed aggre- gate, and the underside is clad in wood slats. Payworks' corporate branding is subtly integrated into the interior design with radiused corners, cir- cular lighting fixtures, and a circle integrated into the wood plank wall behind the reception. The project meets a building energy target of 14.8 percent energy savings relative to MECB 2013 with a Building Energy Use Intensity Target of 12.92 ekWh/ft2. The HVAC system features a four-pipe fan coil system and a heat recovery system with associated effi- ciencies that generate significant energy savings and allow for simulta- neous heating and cooling operation. The building's highly efficient LED lighting system is network-controlled and programmed to function together with the automatic roller blinds and exterior sunshades to promote natural lighting, while minimizing unwanted glare within the building's workspaces. The site features landscaping inspired by northern Manitoba, including raised planter drumlins and pond 'kettles' framed by a large LOCATION 80 Payworks Way, Winnipeg, Manitoba OWNER Payworks Inc. ARCHITECT MMP Architects CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Akman Construction STRUCTUR AL /ENVELOPE CONSULTANT Crosier Kilgour MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Epp Siepman Engineering L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT McGowan Russell Group Inc. TOTAL SIZE 94,000 square feet TOTAL COST $50 million

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