Caivan and ABIC Head Office, Ottawa building, Ontario modern offices property project, Canadian architecture photos

Caivan and ABIC’s New Head Office in Ottawa

post updated 10 February 2024

Design: Figurr Architects Collective

Location: Ottawa, southern Ontario, Canada

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa Ontario

Photos by Tom Arban Photography

26 July 2023

Caivan / ABIC Head Office, ON

Figurr Architects Collective’s new head office design redefines the workplace experience for two innovative companies: Caivan and its subsidiary organization, the Advanced Building Innovation Company (ABIC). The design blends modern workplace elements with warm textures and natural light to create a space brimming with creativity.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa Ontario

Located in Barrhaven, Ontario, a suburb of Ottawa, and close to a growing community, Caivan / ABIC’s new headquarters and manufacturing plant supports the company’s long-term vision of creating a modern work environment for their employees, and a dynamic new space to support the homeowner journey and their expanding community offerings.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa Canada

The office is the second phase of a multi-phased construction project. Phase one, also designed by Figurr Architects Collective, was a fast-tracked fabrication facility that houses innovative robotic fabrication systems. That new approach builds sustainable, prefabricated residential home panels for Caivan’s home-building business.

Phase two, a new two-level headquarters, includes administrative spaces, a public sales centre, a design centre, an “experience centre,” a reception area, a town hall atrium, a boardroom, meeting rooms, a combination of open and closed office spaces, a series of kitchenettes throughout the building to support the team, and touchpoints where the team can come together for informal collaboration and conversation.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa

A unique element of this design is the town hall atrium, which links all of Caivan’s internal community, including sales, the design centre, fabrication, and administration. It doesn’t feel like your typical corporate office. This forward-thinking workplace has more in common with a modern public building supporting a rich community, one that everyone wants to hang out in. The town hall atrium can hold company-wide events, keeping Caivan’s team informed on all aspects of the business.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa

The sun-filled communal space has expansive bird-safe glass walls that link the indoors and outdoors. To ensure the town hall atrium would be a comfortable place to work throughout the day, the design team spent a great deal of time studying the sun’s angles and analyzing reflections in the glass design.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa Ontario

As seen throughout the space, wood was a central part of the design strategy as part of a commitment to minimize the project’s environmental impact. The architects incorporated wood in an efficient, conservation-minded approach, reflecting Caivan’s approach to all of its residential projects.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa

Innovative to the Core
The new head office breaks away from the traditional showroom experience and acts as a showpiece representing the company’s commitment to its team, the homeowner experience, design innovation, and craftsmanship.

Caivan wanted to create an immersive visitor experience. As such, the “experience centre,” includes opportunities to learn about ABIC’s unique manufacturing process and the Caivan values as an integrated land developer and homebuilder. The showroom includes a mezzanine with views into the company’s fabrication facilities. This connection between the design centre and the fabrication plant gives prospective homeowners a behind-the-scenes look at how their home is manufactured.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa Ontario

Site challenges informed the design
This project encountered several design challenges. Situated on top of an old quarry, the site conditions were challenging to navigate. After initial design approvals and test digs, the building’s location changed. Figurr’s design team and the contractors were agile enough to adapt to unforeseen conditions and to replan the design to meet the new site constraints.

Like every other project over the past few years, the pandemic created many challenges. Most of all, to the project timeline, including securing trades, supply line delays, and distancing protocols. Despite these challenges, the new head office achieved its goals and gave the company a modern and efficient building to support its team.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa Ontario Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa Canada

Collaboration is the key to high-calibre design
Innovation, precision, and clean approaches to design were essential in this project. The building integrates wood and steel columns, leaving nothing exposed, and everything fits together seamlessly. Mechanical ducts are hidden from view, and electrical work is embedded in the structure. It was essential that everyone on the team was part of the vision. Every detail of the design was developed in collaboration with the applicable trades.

Figurr’s modern workplace design reflects Caivan’s highly refined brand and provides them with a sophisticated new office that suits their team now and in the future.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa

Caivan and ABIC Head Office in Ottawa, Ontario – Building Information

Design: Figurr Architects Collective – https://figurr.ca/en

Project Name: Caivan / ABIC Head Office
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Size:
Phase One: 100,000 ft2 Manufacturing plant
Phase Two: 50,000 ft2 Corporate Office
Completion Date: January 2023

Client: Caivan / ABIC (The Advanced Building Innovation Company)
Photographer: Tom Arban
Project Sector: Corporate Office/ Commercial / Industrial

Collaborators:
Contractor: BBS Construction
Project Manager: BBS Construction
Interior Design: Figurr
Landscape: nak design strategies
Mechanical Engineers: Goodkey Weedmark
Structural Engineers: Cleland Jardine
Civil Engineers: Dsel
Electrical Engineers: Drycore / WSP
Lighting: Gabriel McKinnon
Sales Centre Interiors: Figur3

Suppliers:
Wood: Timber Systems
Sustainability Features:

EV charging stations.
Solar shade along the perimeter of the administrative wing.
Atrium has minimal south-facing glass.
Main entry glass is protected.
Bird-safe glass that prevents reflections.
Environmentally friendly products selected wherever possible.

About Figurr Architects Collective
Figurr Architects Collective is an award-winning firm with offices in Montreal and Ottawa. Initially founded in 1989 by Rick Rubin and Stephen Rotman, they now lead the firm alongside Roberto Campos, Bruno Morin, and Pascale Tétrault. The team is comprised of some forty-five architects, designers, technicians, and other professionals.

Figurr Architects Collective serves local, national, and international clients from the corporate, multi-unit residential, aviation, and institutional sectors, as well as numerous First Nations communities across Canada.

Caivan and ABIC Head Office Ottawa

Photography: Tom Arban Photography

Caivan and ABIC Head Office, Ottawa, Ontario images / information received 260723 from v2com newswire

Location: World Exchange Plaza office tower, downtown Ottawa, Canada

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