Roots wins two interior design awards for its head office
Despite its vital role in the daily life of Roots, relatively few employees in Canada and the United States have ever set foot in the Head Office in Toronto. The same is true for most customers, suppliers and friends of Roots for whom 1400 Castlefield Avenue is just an address in Toronto.
Thanks to two recent design awards, it’s far more than just an address. In separate award ceremonies earlier this month, both the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) paid tribute to the Roots headquarters, honouring it as an exemplary work environment. Such recognition was especially gratifying for Roots Co-Founder Don Green who shepherded the project to fruition, overseeing the planning and design decisions from the beginning.
The Roots world headquarters is a model of how a well thought out head office can motivate employees, greatly enhance their day-to-day professional reality, and make their work more pleasurable, more efficient and more productive. Today, nearly two years after moving into 1400 Castlefield, it’s hard to imagine Roots without such premises. They have become essential to the smooth running of the business and are an intrinsic part of the company’s culture.
The Head Office is the hub and nerve centre of Roots. It’s where you most feel the pulse and passion that drive the company forward. Virtually anything and everything connected to the company is ultimately discussed, debated and resolved at the Head Office. Every aspect of the business -- short of the actual manufacturing, distribution and retail sales of products -- takes place at 1400 Castlefield. It’s home to the following departments: Clothes design (womenswear, menswear, babies, accessories); finance; general administration; advertising/marketing; communication; graphic design; visual/merchandising; business-to-business/wholesale; human resources; outsourcing; website and e-commerce; retail operations; outlet operations; resource protection; licensee operations; Roots Home Design; information technology; and maintenance. It also houses the offices of Don and fellow Co-Founder Michael Budman.
Three years ago, the current reality was a mere dream in Don’s head. At the time, the company’s administrative, design and support staff were scattered in four separate buildings, each with their own culture and little interaction between them. With the leases on some of the buildings set to expire, Don and Michael decided to consolidate the four operations into a large, new unified space. Eventually, they chose a rundown industrial building a five-minute drive south of the Roots leather factory as the company’s future home. Don assumed responsibility for the project which involved transforming a 1938 windowless former factory into a modern, light-filled, employee-friendly environment true to the values and aesthetics of Roots.
"Given the size and scope of the project and seeing the initial condition of the building, it required a far-reaching vision of how the space could be transformed," says Don. "But in many ways, my approach was no different than any other design project I've been involved in before, whether it be a piece of Roots outerwear, planning a store or packaging. It's all about the details. Details and aesthetics have always been of the utmost importance to Michael and I and certainly for this project they were paramount. Especially when you consider how much time all of us at the Roots home office spend in this environment."
From the outset, Don knew that for the new headquarters to be successful, they had to be spacious, bright, open and feature the right materials and office furniture. To that end, he spent countless hours researching various options, visiting other company headquarters and prospective suppliers in Canada and the United States and personally interviewing several design companies.
In June 2004, Don engaged the services of the Toronto-based Bullock Associates to help work on refining plans for the form and functionality of the new space. As soon as he brought the firm’s Doug Bullock, Alan Dalquen and Donna Wood on board, he knew he was on the right track. Alan, who is Design Director at Bullock, worked closely with Don on the design, while Donna, who is Studio Director, and her team managed the project, making sure that whatever Don and Alan came up would work.
It was a tall order -- converting 60,000 square feet of raw space spread over two floors into a creative, cohesive, uncluttered working environment in a cost-efficient manner. The objective was to create a space that captured the aesthetic and Zen-like philosophy of Roots; clean, contemporary and bright. It had to facilitate and streamline workflow, improve design processes, and generate a conducive, positive vibe. At the same time, the large volume of clothing samples and prototype designs needed to be organized, accommodated and made accessible.
Don and Alan deliberately avoided a conventional office design. “I’ve never related to offices that seem more designed for robots than people,” says Don. “I dislike cubicle systems, poor lighting, confined spaces and no interrelationships between people.”
Through the clever use of various design techniques and special features, the raw facility was radically transformed. Skylights and an atrium were installed to allow natural light to filter throughout the space; Systems furniture was chosen with semi-transparent mesh panels, to allow light penetration throughout the space and encourage accessibility and interaction between employees; The white colour palette was used as an essential backdrop to the many clothing samples and design prototypes so they would bring colour and texture to the space.
Other highlights include a tree-filled outside patio adjoining the large, 2-storey-high café-like multi-purpose space with its own fireplace, tables, white leather banquettes and a Jamaican-style thatched roof bar. This is the primary informal meeting place for staff to have lunch, drink coffee and generally hang out and is also used for a variety of special events.
“It was a huge project,” says Alan, “but what made it so much more engaging and satisfying for me was working with Don. His personal involvement, commitment and enthusiasm made it far more stimulating than usual. His energy directly translated itself into the project. And, we had fun.”
In February 2005, the building and planning were sufficiently completed to allow some 150 employees to transfer to 1400 Castlefield. It was a major move in all senses of the word. Since then, staff morale and motivation have noticeably increased. The new premises have also allowed for better communication and interaction between all departments and with Don and Michael.
It’s not just staff who appreciate the premises which invariably make a strong impression on first-time visitors. With its peaceful, clean, somewhat minimalist look, the facility seems to have a soothing effect on people.
Given its beautiful look and feel, it’s little surprise that the Roots headquarters won two separate North American interior design awards this month and are up for another at the upcoming Design Exchange Awards in Toronto. The head office has also commanded the attention of the media including Canadian Interiors magazine, which featured it as its cover story last spring.
Of course, for all its impressive physical attributes and award-winning design, what really sets the Roots headquarters apart is its human component. That’s what it’s all about. The men and women who make up the Roots team for whom the offices were designed for in the first place. It makes for the perfect combination - a great team and a great facility for them. - R.S.
Maple Leaf hockey apparel in stores now
Made in Canada, the latest TML line is inspired by the simplicity and classic feel of retro Leaf uniforms. It’s comprised of a variety of tops, outerwear and accessories for men, women, kids and babies. Most T-shirts are made from 100% cotton jersey, while the sweatshirts and jackets are made from a mix of 80% cotton and 20% polyester.
