A calm urban retreat in the city. Scandinavian inspired.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/1155x0/f/85433/5760x3840/7879281855/shopify-l10-6.jpg)
It all began in Ottawa - where significant growth forced a need for contemporary headquarters. A place where the current leader in international e-commerce could call home. Linebox rose to the challenge, and from it was born one of the most unique offices in Canada.
The challenge became to convert eight storeys of a new office tower into a creative innovation hub. The mandate was to apply the best evidence-based principles of high functioning office design to ensure an innovative and collaborative workplace focused not just on productivity, but also employee health and wellbeing.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/958x0/f/85433/6604x5659/00e96209c5/shopify-l10-3.jpg)
![Retreat Theme](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5760x3840/ceb1ef070f/shopify-l10-9.jpg)
Retreat Theme
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/730x0/f/85433/3840x5760/b0f48051f4/shopify-l10-7.jpg)
![Globally Connected](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5760x3840/5dfa0d7e2d/shopify-l10-2.jpg)
Globally Connected
All meeting rooms are completely equipped for virtual meetings connecting team members from around the globe.
![Work Retreat](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5760x3840/19dd494172/shopify-l10-8.jpg)
Work Retreat
Tucked away behind work pods are these "nooks" where people can come together or work in a comfy setting on their own.
“This is the best office we’ve ever had. It has succeeded way past anything we had expected”.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/1155x0/f/85433/5760x3840/a92d6f0024/shopify-l7-13.jpg)
![1920's Prohibition Theme](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5000x4030/eb1e52ff5b/shopify-l7-5.jpg)
1920's Prohibition Theme
This theme features dark materials, luxurious upholstery, and the feel of a speakeasy.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/730x0/f/85433/5736x5640/1a0334f808/shopify-l7-12.jpg)
Design Insight - Themed Floors
There are a total of 11 floors for the Shopify Headquarters - each with its own unique theme. The themes informed all design decisions.
The challenge was to incorporate each theme while creating productive office spaces.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/797x0/f/85433/5760x3840/2a97dc0a22/shopify-l7-8.jpg)
Design Insight - A Fine Balance
The design of this office responds to an emerging idea that moves beyond work/life balance to work/life integration where the work environment can be as comfortable as home; spaces where creative employees are happy to call their own.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/958x0/f/85433/5652x3768/0dfcb4e49e/shopify-l8-11.jpg)
![Transportation Theme](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5760x3840/5891b332cb/shopify-l8-12.jpg)
Transportation Theme
Tuk-tuks, bikes, shipping containers, and boats - this space is inspired by global transportation methods.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/797x0/f/85433/5460x3640/5052e7659f/shopify-l8-10.jpg)
![Commercial Cafeteria](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5760x3840/4b98db21e4/shopify-l8-9.jpg)
Commercial Cafeteria
Shopify employees are offered daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cafeteria and prep kitchen were important considerations.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/1155x0/f/85433/5760x3840/3e02643824/shopify-l8-6.jpg)
![Streetscapes Theme](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5760x3840/95bd86ed87/shopify-l6-9.jpg)
Streetscapes Theme
Recreating stories from cities around the world - snapshots of café life, and other daily rituals.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/797x0/f/85433/5760x3840/51943f8bec/shopify-l6-11.jpg)
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/797x0/f/85433/5760x3840/e8ed41482d/shopify-l6-3.jpg)
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/486x0/f/85433/5760x3840/fdf2633ea7/shopify-l6-4.jpg)
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/486x0/f/85433/5626x3751/2b97732cc0/shopify-l6-2.jpg)
Design Insight - Space for Everyone
Each floor has an assigned ‘home’ workstation, however, within a nonhierarchical office landscape, choice and control over where work is done resides with each employee.
![Canadiana Theme](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/5760x3840/0d3ac2e307/shopify-l9-6.jpg)
Canadiana Theme
This theme brings together iconic Canadian motifs, materials, and references - wood, wildlife, and winter sports.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/1155x0/f/85433/8893x3752/eff479d7f6/shopify-l9-7.jpg)
Design Insight - New Stairs
The original office building didn't feature circulation stairs. Concrete had to be blasted through to make room for a new stairway.
These stairs encourage staff to cross paths and create opportunities for accidental encounters.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/797x0/f/85433/3840x5760/e3973b6169/shopify-l9-4.jpg)
![Crafting Theme](https://img2.storyblok.com/520x0/f/85433/4743x3162/fffa26b8a7/shopify-l5-2.jpg)
Crafting Theme
This theme is inspired by all the creative hobbies that Shopify employees do to recharge and get their creative juices flowing.
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/797x0/f/85433/4743x3162/805bae1153/shopify-l5-1.jpg)
Project Fun Facts
![](https://img2.storyblok.com/1155x0/f/85433/5666x3777/915ee4deec/shopify-l6-7.jpg)