Gensler designed Pinterest's new office in Toronto, focusing on creating a unique space representative of the brand culture and values, infused with moments of surprise and delight, and inspired by Canadiana.

Pinterest, the visual discovery engine, enlisted Gensler to create a transformational workplace representative of its brand identity, company values and collaborative culture.

The development of a design and execution of the concept over three floors at 85 Richmond Street West created an opportunity for Pinterest to define its culture through a space that could be uniquely their own, infused with moments of surprise and delight.

At Pinterest, discovery is a foundational principle. For their Toronto HQ, the client requested a Pinterest-worthy space that’s curateable, inspiring and full of discovery. The resulting design feels like a 3-D version of the platform – a fun and quirky space that’s full of surprise and delight presented through a uniquely Canadian lens.

Developed over the pandemic, Pinterest’s new design is rooted in the idea that people are now the number one workplace amenity. Spaces that foster connections, networks and relationships, and support employee health and wellbeing, became foundational to the design. Spread over three floors, the new office provides two dedicated working floors supported by a range of meeting and breakout spaces, micro-pantries and an amenities floor and sales centre.

Driven by the curatorial nature of the platform, the team worked hand-in-glove with Pinterest to curate the workspace. This approach creates an authenticity that truly reflects Pinterest’s culture. Meeting rooms and collaboration spaces have a unique look and feel inspired by Canadiana. Favourite past times like glamping and escaping to the cottage served as reference points for break-out spaces and meeting rooms. A large open servery and café, complete with barista bar, brings employees together in one place for townhalls and social events.

Discovery and inspiration are woven throughout Pinterest’s new home. An intimate focus room, dubbed The Speakeasy, is concealed behind a bookcase in The Library. Blending the physical and the digital, Pin Codes are hidden waiting to be discovered that open curated Pinterest boards.

Gensler collaborated closely with our project partners from the outset. Working in lockstep as a team, we were able to compress the schedule for the contract documentation phase, allowing more time for design development to create the vision for this richly layered design. With no slippage in the schedule, this project was delivered on time and on budget.

This new home expands Pinterest’s presence in Canada in a space that reinforces a connection among team members and the city they proudly call home.

See credits and the full project story here!