Award

the opportunity to develop a new workplace that would incorporate the changes underway within the legal profession. The client wished to consolidate their meet- ing rooms on the reception floor and their support groups on a services floor. "We were asked to design and develop the new office premises in the newly con- structed high-rise office tower. We used a simplified, refined finish palette utiliz- ing highly contrasting materials and incorporated a custom 100-foot-long millwork screen with intricate details, which is a strong architectural feature," says Niwa. Then there's Gowlings Canada Inc.'s new four-storey premises that reflects the modernizations occurring within the legal profession, which won the 2014 ARIDO Award for Project of the Year and the 2014 ARIDO Award of Excellence. The team was able to create drama and define space with contrasting finishes, custom millwork and by maximizing daylighting. "There is a sense of quality that was achieved without 'glitz' or 'opulence' that is in keeping with the client's image through a finish palette of contrasting materials and variety of textures," says Niwa. Other notable projects include the Pengrowth Energy Corporation's new office that required a reinvention of a traditional design approach, the three-storey red brick heritage Ken Carter offices in Calgary's changing Beltline district and ConocoPhillips Auditorium in Calgary. Being able to work with such dynamic clients in a broad spectrum of sectors is something the team pride themselves on. "When beginning a new project, we like to get to know the client, their organization, structure and dynamics, and their brand message. We try to relate to them personally to better understand their focus and passion. Paying attention to the body language they use to express their thoughts is often more telling than verbalizing. The most successful projects have happened when we interpret the client's focus and brand to create a three-dimensional expression of their one dimensional concept," says Niwa, who was responsible for the company winning the prestigious ARIDO Project of the Year for two years con- secutively. In fact, over the past 10 years MartensGroup has been recognized with over 21 interior design awards. Understanding the need to reflect a brand is another key anchor in the business, and something Green is well versed in. "There is an increased demand for workplace strategy and change management as client's strive to create work environments leveraging their real estate as a strategic tool. Technology is constantly evolving, increasing the need for teamwork and collaboration, and for knowledge sharing. Clients want the work environment to support their organizational goals and cul- ture in a cost-efficient manner. We help clients determine their best strategy and then we develop and implement it," Green explains. For MartensGroup, 2015 was a milestone as the company celebrated its 25 year anniversary. The team attributes this success to the support of its clients, colleagues and industry organizations, and is in turn dedicated to giving back to the commu- nity in which it works. "We are celebrating our anniversary with a series of donations supporting vari- ous art and culture organizations such as ACAD [Alberta College of Art and Design], the proposed new Contemporary Art Gallery for Calgary and Cspace, a development encompassing affordable studio space for artists," says Martens. If the past 25 years are anything to go by, MartensGroup is positioned to lead the design world for the next 25 years. Martens is excited by new technological changes and believes that adapting to new environments will allow the team to seamlessly collaborate with clients and other consultants internationally. This fast-paced technological world also means that for the team at MartensGroup, the impossible now becomes possible. "You can no longer be just a team of general- ists, you have to provide something unique; high-quality sophisticated design solu- tions and high-quality client service. But even more important is something we have always stood for; building strong connections with clients by carefully listening and responding to their needs and then developing relevant design solutions that have a depth of design sophistication, a level of innovation and are as attractive as they are practical," concludes Martens. A MartensGroup ConocoPhillips Auditorium; Pengrowth Energy Corporation. Ken Carter offices; Gowlings Canada Inc. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID WHITTAKER & EVAN DION / COURTESY MARTENSGROUP

• Cover