“Innovating for Performance: How Imperial Oil and HOK Reimagined the Workplace for Collaboration, Growth, and Sustainability.”

Imperial Oil Limited (IOL) commissioned HOK to support the design and construction of a new research facility. Located on a 20-acre site in Quarry Park, the complex consolidates Imperial staff from several downtown Calgary offices. It includes five low-rise office buildings totaling 850,000 square feet of office space, along with support facilities, food services, a wellness centre, and other employee amenities.

HOK worked closely with IOL to define long-term business needs through executive engagement sessions that established clear organizational goals and outcomes. Employee experience was a key priority, resulting in a planning strategy that emphasized flexibility and fluidity. All workstations offer access to full-height exterior glazing and views of the outdoors. Communication and collaboration are promoted through the intentional placement of team spaces and the integration of technology that enables participation in global workgroups. The workplace design balances eight key attributes that enhance performance: collaboration, efficiency, safety, security, mobility, modularity, sustainability, and pride.

“This new campus provides an opportunity to consolidate our business, offers additional space for our growing workforce, and delivers a superior working environment for our people,” said Paul Masschelin, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for Imperial Oil. “The complex is built to high standards of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship and will continue to foster new opportunities for employee collaboration in their daily work.”