b'COVER STORYlarge, complete with custom built-in desks unique to each space. These and many other features all contributed to creating a bright and spacious workingenvironment.In keeping with the overall design ethos, colour choices and textures were all important considerations. Places for people to gather and reflect were created as well as a fully outfitted kitchen and modern workout facility. The well-being of the employees using the space was pivotal to the overalldesign. Because our business has grown substantially since its inception, says Panopoulos, we added a kitchen and a gym. I usually start my day pretty early, so Im always pleased to see staff using the gym as I pull up and before they get their own work days started. The kitchen is just as frequently used. The staff arent going out for lunch nearly as often as they used to. I think they find the kitchen a pleasant retreat and just a nice place to be.As good things sometimes happen when coincidence is involved, Panopoulos noticed the old barn for sale online. He says, We were on the hunt for new headquarters for multiple reasons. We were losing a lot of tools, for example, and there was no decent customer parking at our old office. At the monthly supervisor meetings, we started regularly listing all of our business challenges. It was clear very early that we needed a newbuilding. STOBER GroupPanopoulos saw the potential almost Meiklejohn Architects Inc. immediately. After I had walked LANDMARK 7 1700 Dickson Ave., Kelowna, BC through the building once, I made an offer. But I knew we would all have to think outside the box and come up with some ideas. Because the structure existed, I think it forced us to be more creative, which is totally different than building your own space from the ground up. Wed probably have ROV Consulting Inc. is a structural engineeringconstructed a large square box if wed company, serving Western Canada since 1997.had an empty lotbut it wouldnt Our Structural and Building Energy Engineeringhave had the same charm. The bones of services are available for residential, commercial,the structure gave it a certain creative institutional and industrial structural projects. Ourflexibility. Having some parameters clients have come to appreciate our adaptabilityactually enhances creative thinking.to their changing needs, our creative ideas, and our practical solutions. We are happy to incorporate your ideas into our structural plans or simply relyThe TKI team played on the idea of on our expertise and innovative engineering. the building as a barn and incorporated that rustic sensibility throughout. Panopoulos says, We rescued many 40 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'