Our SPACES Basecamp offices provide an opportunity for us to experiment by defining and honing the best characteristics of an innovative and collaborative environment, says Deloitte's Etienne Bruson
When leading professional services firm Deloitte Canada chose SPACES Granville as their temporary office in Vancouver, they were stepping into unexplored territory. Not only were they moving 700 people into the new and modern offices in the historic Tom Lee Music Building on Granville Street, but also embracing a new way of working with their Basecamp model.
“Our Basecamp isn’t simply a new office space, it’s a milestone in our transformation to become more than a workplace – and the destination where innovative ideas are turned into world-class solutions for our clients, our people and our community,” explains Etienne Bruson, managing partner for Deloitte in British Columbia.
In recent years, Granville Street has been transformed from forgotten district into a vibrant new neighbourhood. A big part of this includes IWG brand SPACES becoming the first coworking office to open in what is now a dynamic downtown destination known for its lively neon-lit bars and nightclubs. By opening SPACES, it brings people together in a productive environment, it encourages social interaction, and it integrates the lines between work and leisure in a truly positive way.
“This workspace aligns with our national strategy and vision for creating a more collaborative and inclusive workplace by using design and technology to remove physical and hierarchical barriers, which increases the flow of ideas and innovation,” says Bruson.
As companies look to expand and evolve, and workforces become more mobile, the need for a traditional office set-up is changing for many major firms like Deloitte. Its Basecamp office includes exposed brick and an open staircase, with a large café, ping-pong table and foosball for professionals and visitors to enjoy. There is also an immersive Innovation Studio – temporary home to the Vancouver Greenhouse that promotes innovative thinking and supports business transformation. Flexible-office space allows companies to scale up or scale down as their business dictates, without having to commit to a conventional and often lengthy office lease. Flexspace also tends to attract a different demographic of employee, such as those who seek out a more dynamic working environment over a more structured system.
“This space was designed to reflect our approach to work. Our research has found that employees want the flexibility to work where, when and how they want. And that’s all possible in our office here in Vancouver. The Basecamp encourages flexibility, and we’re already seeing how it inspires greater collaboration and innovation,” explains Bruson.
For Deloitte, it's not the first foray into IWG’s stable of coworking brands: it already operates 15 offices in the company’s flexible workspaces around the world, including in the UK, Germany, Vietnam and Japan.
“SPACES provided a unique and inspiring environment, and the flexibility to work with our evolving needs and timelines to move into Deloitte Summit on West Georgia,” says Bruson. “Our move to SPACES – a ‘non-traditional’ location for a professional-services firm – is a milestone in our journey and a commitment to flexibility, innovation and the impact of the creative economy on our firm. It’s an exciting move for us at a time of significant growth and change.”
For Deloitte, it’s all about thinking ahead for the good not only of the firm but also society more broadly. “Ultimately, we believe our approach will foster greater purpose-driven innovation and disruption, which means we can enhance the value we deliver directly to our clients, our people, our communities – and Canada’s economy at large,” concludes Bruson.
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