Project: Sandstorm Gold Royalties Office
Architecture: Edit Studios
Contractor: Framework Projects
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Area: 40000 ft2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Brett Ryan
Vancouver-based design firm Edit Studios has recently completed the transformative design for the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office, expanding their workspace to an impressive 40,000 square feet in Vancouver’s newest AAA office tower, Vancouver Centre II (VCII). Known for its exceptional portfolio of precious metal royalties, the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office spans four floors in a building that meets the highest standards of sustainability and technology, boasting LEED Platinum, WELL Gold, and WiredScore Gold certifications.
A Workplace Ecosystem for Collaboration and Focus
Edit Studios collaborated closely with the Sandstorm team to create an innovative workplace ecosystem tailored to the specific needs of their geologists, engineers, and junior mining partners. The design of the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office responds to the evolving demands of the post-COVID workplace, balancing private, focused spaces with collaborative areas that facilitate interaction and innovation.
The office layout is strategically divided, with the top and bottom floors serving as the functional heart of the office, while the middle floor acts as a shared amenity space, featuring a reception area, kitchen, and various meeting rooms of different sizes. Coffee bars and lounges are strategically placed around the stairwell on each floor, encouraging spontaneous interactions and promoting vertical circulation throughout the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office.
Celebrating Natural Resources Through Design
The design of the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office is deeply rooted in the company’s connection to the mining industry. Edit Studios infused the space with materials and motifs that celebrate natural resources and mining operations. Copper, a key material in renewable energy, features prominently in the design, particularly in the curved stair connecting all four floors. This architectural centerpiece is a structural marvel, incorporating curved glass railings, BC wood treads, and striking copper accents—a testament to the meticulous planning and logistics involved in craning such materials up 33 flights in an occupied building.
Each floor of the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office showcases a curated display of rock and mineral samples, geological artifacts, and historical mining tools, reinforcing Sandstorm’s ties to the industry. Custom planter boxes adorned with periodic table elements mark the entrances to meeting rooms, further linking the design to the earth’s natural resources.
Unconventional materials, including rammed earth walls and sand-infused plaster, are used to illustrate topographic contours, bringing the story of the earth’s layers into the workspace. The reception area features hand-scraped plaster walls, while meeting room tables are crafted from BC native wood and granite mined from a local quarry. Artist Mareo Rodriguez’s works, inspired by the earth’s materiality, add a refined artistic touch with topographic references and drill core sample motifs.
A Commitment to Sustainability
One of the standout features of the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office is the building’s radiant heating and cooling system embedded in the ceiling, making it one of North America’s most sustainable office spaces. This advanced system reduces the reliance on traditional HVAC systems, significantly lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The choice of this system aligns perfectly with Sandstorm’s commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of the mining industry through sustainable practices.
Edit Studios also placed a strong emphasis on integrating plant life into the design of the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office, a response to the growing post-pandemic desire for nature in workspaces. “Science now supports the idea that plants reduce stress and anxiety, boost creativity and productivity, and enhance cognition and memory,” notes Edit Studios founder Janay Koldingnes. The strategic placement of greenery throughout the Sandstorm Gold Royalties office not only enhances the aesthetic but also reinforces Sandstorm’s mission to celebrate and protect the earth’s resources.
A Space That Reflects Mission and Values
The Sandstorm Gold Royalties office is more than just a workspace; it’s a dynamic environment that caters to the needs of employees and guests alike. The design offers a variety of spaces for focused work, collaboration, and rejuvenation, all while maintaining a strong connection to the earth through the use of natural materials and plant life. This enriching environment perfectly embodies Sandstorm Gold Royalties’ mission and values, creating a workspace that is both innovative and deeply connected to the natural world.
