3.4 Which of the responsibilities required for this Opportunity are the least familiar to your firm? Which of the responsibilities represent the greatest challenge and why? 

While HOK Canada specializes in workplace interiors and brings a deep portfolio across numerous sectors, we acknowledge that ground-up base building assignments—particularly in the Calgary market—are less common within our recent local experience. Our most comparable projects include the Imperial Oil Campus in Quarry Park, completed in 2018, and the Rogers one-million-square-foot campus in Brampton, a transformative, four-phase project that redefined the company’s approach to employee engagement and collaboration. 

That said, this opportunity is exactly why we’ve proposed a Calgary–Toronto–Houston team structure. Our Toronto and Houston offices have extensive expertise in large-scale, ground-up, and build-to-suit developments. The Houston office, in particular, brings deep technical experience in delivering energy sector headquarters from the ground up, while Toronto provides complementary architectural support and design leadership honed on complex Canadian projects. 

This tri-office model isn’t theoretical—it’s active and proven, currently engaged on similar work. Together, we offer a confident, coordinated team ready to meet the technical demands and aspirations of TC Energy’s new workplace. Our integrated approach ensures seamless delivery from concept to completion. 

3.5 Please describe the culture of your organization.  

HOK’s culture is rooted in empathy, collaboration, and a deep commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. We create people-centered environments by first cultivating an inclusive, supportive workplace for our own teams. Diversity, transparency, and continuous learning are core to how we work. We invest in community partnerships, prioritize well-being, and mentor the next generation of design leaders. Our approach to ESG isn’t surface-level—it’s embedded in our daily practice, shaping how we design and how we show up for one another and our clients. 

We bring grit, commitment, and joy to our work. Our day-to-day culture is hands-on and highly collaborative—everyone, from intern to principal, is deeply engaged in project delivery. We’re practical, focused, and always in pursuit of better. Our teams are known for following through—not just imagining bold ideas but making them real. This integrity builds trust and results in client relationships that span decades. It also fosters loyalty within our teams, leading to low turnover, and a deeply connected network of colleagues who’ve been delivering together for years. We take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously—and that balance is what keeps us inspired, resilient, and ready for whatever’s next. 

3.6 What accomplishment(s), project(s) or accolade(s) is your company most proud? Why is it considered important?   

At HOK, our proudest accomplishments aren’t just measured by awards or headlines—they’re found in the quieter, more meaningful moments. When a client steps into their new space and says, “It’s exactly what we hoped for,” that’s the recognition we value most. These moments reflect a deeper success: that we’ve truly listened, understood, and delivered something that empowers people to do their best work. That’s our definition of impact. 

That said, we’re proud of several milestones that demonstrate this ethos in action. One standout is our work with The Co-operators on their new Guelph headquarters, which became the first project in Canada to achieve Zero Carbon certification, BOMA BEST Platinum, LEED Gold, and WELL Platinum. This wasn’t about chasing certifications—it was about aligning design with deeply held values around sustainability, wellness, and community stewardship. 

We’re also incredibly proud of our ongoing partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Following a landmark, award-winning project in Toronto, HOK is now designing additional spaces for BCG in Calgary, Montreal, and Houston. These repeat engagements reflect the trust and consistency that define our approach to client relationships. 

And on a broader scale, we were named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2024, and Interior Design Magazine Top 100 Giants #3 Most Admired Firm—an honour that speaks to our continued drive to challenge convention, elevate the human experience, and lead the industry forward. 

These accomplishments mean something to us not just because they’re visible, but because they prove what we’re capable of when we stay focused on what matters: people, performance, and purpose.  

3.7 Project Understanding. Although the scope described above is less conventional, we are equally interested in the support of a more conventional design development process. At a minimum, your response should address typical phases for this opportunity, activities and deliverables for each, a description of the services for each and client responsibilities for each.

Given the early stage of this opportunity and the wide range of potential outcomes under consideration, it is appropriate that the scope of work remains open-ended. We are highly experienced in navigating such exploratory conditions, where flexibility, adaptability, and close partnership are essential to success.

A. A description of key “typical” project phases with estimated timelines. 
B. A detailed breakdown of the activities to be performed by your firm, identifying the primary deliverables for each activity. 
C. A description of the interior architectural and shell and core services required for this opportunity. 
D. A comprehensive accounting of responsibilities / activities to be performed by the client or others to ensure a successful project outcome.

Responses to questions A through D are provided below as a combined, integrated response.

Given the early stage of this opportunity and the wide range of potential outcomes under consideration, it is appropriate that the scope of work remains open-ended. We are highly experienced in navigating such exploratory conditions, where flexibility, adaptability, and close partnership are essential to success.

For the purpose of responding to this RFP, the process outlined assumes an interior architecture project. Should TC Energy choose to pursue a build-to-suit, ground-up development, HOK can expand its services to include Campus Master Planning, Shell and Core Design, and Landscape Architecture as required.

To support this dynamic approach, we have developed a preliminary process framework organized into the following phases:

Phase 1: Real Estate Portfolio Planning

• 1.A Discovery

• 1.B Analysis

• 1.C Strategy

Phase 2: Workplace Strategy (Optional)

Workplace Strategy is an optional phase that helps design flexible, people-focused spaces based on how employees work.

Phase 3: Real Estate Options Analysis

We work with your real estate team and JLL to explore and compare renovation, relocation, and new build options by testing layouts, checking building conditions, and helping you make informed decisions.

Phase 4: Design

• 4.A Space Planning

• 4.B Schematic Design

• 4.C Design Development

• 4.D Construction Documents

• 4.E Furniture

Phase 5: Construction

• 5.A Permit and Tender

• 5.B Construction Administration

Phase 6: Change Management (Optional)

• 6.A Preparing for Change

• 6.B Implementing Change

• 6.C Evaluate and Adjust

This flexible framework starts with a small first step: Phase 1.A: Discovery, a critical start point focused on understanding the shared vision and gathering insights. From this foundation, we can tailor the process—scaling it up or down—to align with evolving priorities, timelines, and budgets as the project progresses. Please refer to the following section for a detailed overview of our project understanding and proposed methodology.