Sandstorm HQ
space
The revival of the mining industry in British Columbia has brought new life and growth to Sandstorm Gold Royalties. Renowned for its portfolio of precious metal royalties, Sandstorm has expanded its operations into a sprawling 40,000 sq.ft. office space across four floors in Vancouver’s newest AAA office tower. The building is designed to LEED Platinum, WELL Gold, and WiredScore Gold standards.
We created an innovative workplace ecosystem. This space not only houses Sandstorm’s team of geologists and engineers but also offers a collaborative environment for junior mining partners to phase in and out as projects cycle through. Think of it as a co-working model for mining. The top and bottom floors make up the functional part of the office while the middle floor behaves as a common amenity for all companies which includes a shared reception, kitchen and various shapes and sizes of meeting spaces. Coffee bars and lounges are strategically placed on each floor around the stairwell to facilitate spontaneous interactions among the team and promote vertical circulation. The design was conceived during the "return to work" period, reflecting a strong demand for private and shared office spaces. This shift caters to the post-COVID trend of needing more focused workspaces.
Materials That Tell a Story
We drew inspiration from Sandstorm’s deep connection to the mining industry, aiming to celebrate Earth’s natural resources and highlight mining operations. The materials and themes used in the design underscore this intrinsic link.
With an increasing focus on renewable energies, Sandstorm emphasized the importance of featuring copper throughout the design. This versatile resource became the muse and material for the curvilinear stair connecting all four floors in addition to our lighting fixtures throughout the space. The stairs are a structural and architectural marvel with curved glass railings, BC wood treads, and copper stretching up as far as the eye can see. The logistics alone are something of a miracle considering that quantity of metal that was craned up 33 flights into an occupied office building.
Each floor features artfully display rock and mineral samples, geological objects and historical mining tools. Custom planter boxes and plant life denote the entrances to each meeting room, smartly inscribed with elements from the periodic table once again enforcing the link to the mining industry.
Unconventional materials that make up the space include rammed earth walls and sand-infused plaster illustrating topographic contours of the word. The reception area features abstract, hand-scraped plaster walls, while BC native wood and granite bases, mined from a local quarry were used to create all the meeting room tables throughout the space. Artist Mareo Rodriguez's pieces, inspired by Earth’s materiality, enhance the space with topographic references and drill core sample motifs.
A Green Approach
One of the features that was important to Sandstorm was the buildings radiant heating and cooling system in the ceiling, making it one of North America's most sustainable buildings. This advanced system enhances energy efficiency by reducing the reliance on traditional HVAC systems, thereby lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The use of radiant heating and cooling aligns with the team’s objective to mitigate the environmental impact of the mining industry through the adoption of cutting-edge, sustainable building technologies exhibited in this building. In addition to this there was a strong emphasis on weaving plant life into the design.
"Since the pandemic, our clients have shown a strong desire to incorporate plants into the workplace. Science now supports the idea that plants reduce stress and anxiety, boost creativity and productivity, and enhance cognition and memory. Our planting strategy at Sandstrom compliments the celebration of what the earth provides as you migrate between floors and ties seamlessly into our earthly palette.”
- Janay Koldingnes, Founder of Edit Studios
The versatile space caters to employees and guests, offering an abundance of areas for focused work and for employees to feel rejuvenated while in the workspace. The enriching environment, highlighted by greenery and earthy materials, fosters a strong connection to Sandstorm's mission and values.
Scope
Client
Sandstorm Gold Royalties
DESIGNER
Edit Studios Inc.
LANDLORD
GWLRA
Photography
Brett Ryan
CONTRACTOR
Framework Projects
artist
Mareo Rodriguez