North River Midstream: Shaping company culture through a collaborative workplace design

When three companies merged to form NorthRiver Midstream, they set out to create more than just a new office, wanting to build a new team culture. With employees previously spread across multiple locations, bringing staff together under one roof marked a pivotal moment in the organization’s evolution. 

NorthRiver engaged Kasian to design a collaborative workplace across two and a half floors at Bankers Hall in downtown Calgary. The challenge was to define a physical space that could support an establishing company culture that would feel warm, welcoming, and casual, rather than corporate and conventional. 

We began the design process with immersive visioning sessions to establish a shared design language rooted in natural materials, openness, and informality. To further build engagement, an in-person event with over 150 NorthRiver employees was held at our Calgary studio, which presented an opportunity to explore the design concepts, build excitement, and strengthen connections among teams. 

The final design supports a variety of working styles, offering choice and flexibility. Quiet focus zones are located around the perimeter, while collaboration spaces are concentrated in the interior. Each floor includes six bookable meeting rooms, focus and privacy rooms, and open ‘touchdown’ areas equipped with Wi-Fi and charging ports. A large café and games area on the 12th floor acts as the social heart of the workplace. 

Polished concrete floors, open ceilings, and timber detailing bring character to the space, supporting a sense of ease and belonging. Sit-to-stand desks throughout promote movement and wellbeing. 

Kasian continues to support NorthRiver’s workplace evolution, recently completing an additional half floor and helping to define a resilient workplace strategy focused on digital equity and future-readiness.