Blackbird Interactive Offices – Vancouver

Firm
  • Client Blackbird Interactive,
  • size 28,000 sqft
  • Year 2018
  • Location Vancouver, Canada,
  • Industry Gaming,
  • MāK Interiors was tasked with the office design for Blackbird Interactive, a video game developer located in Vancouver, Canada.

    Blackbird Interactive is an award winning, independent gaming studio based in Vancouver, BC. The BBI team is comprised of a talented group of artists, programmers, animators, editors, audio engineers and executives – all requiring specific working conditions. We were fortunate to be tasked with the job of designing a new home that could bring all of this expertise under one roof.

    Studio 3 began as a 28,000SF shell space in the new Flatz district of Vancouver. We were given some early design parameters – include a shipping container and think of the space as the deck of an aircraft carrier.

    We divided the office in half, a western and eastern wing, comprised of BBI’s open workstations and meeting rooms. The atrium, kitchen and lounge is centrally located to accommodate all staff meetings, parties and gatherings. The positioning of the atrium gently nudges people away from their desks to engage and interact with colleagues.

    The design concept is rooted in the sleek, angular lines and dark matte finishes of the aerospace industry; pulling heavily from the namesake plane, the Blackbird SR-71. The idea of a Bedouin camp relaxing on the deck of a ship was presented early and served as inspiration throughout the process. The result is a peppering of tapestry style pillows and Persian rugs throughout the common spaces indicating areas to kick back and relax.

    A favourite feature is the shipping container meeting pod, which was completely custom made and assembled on site. Graphics relating to SR-71 call signs were hand-painted to give an authentic feeling of a salvaged shipping container. Specialty signage and wayfinding is used throughout the space, adding detail and continuity.

    These clients know exactly who they are and by letting us dig deep, collaborate, and learn so much about their culture, we were able to create a space that’s distinctly ‘them’.

    DesignerMāK Interiors
    Contractor: Turner Construction
    PhotographyEma Peter