The Challenge
ETFO (Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario) was ready to redesign its Burlington office to better support both its internal operations and the needs of its members. Partnering with Tayco’s Dealer, atWork Corporate Interiors, the organization set out to create a space that balanced function, flexibility, and a welcoming feel all while supporting high-capacity training sessions and day-to-day staff activities.
The existing office was dated and limited in its functionality, requiring the rental of off-site venues for monthly training sessions. ETFO needed a new space that could accommodate more than 80 educators at a time, offer private offices for the management Team, and introduce a drop-in work lounge for visiting members. A key architectural element of the space was a telescoping demountable glazed wall system, which needed to work in harmony with the new layout and furniture solutions.
This project also marked ETFO’s first experience working with both Tayco and a full-service dealership that offered integrated design and project management. The challenge wasn’t just to furnish a new office but to create a truly transformative workspace that reflected the values of the organization and enhanced the experience for everyone who walked through the doors.
The Solution
Multi-Functional Training Areas with Seamless Flexibility
To meet ETFO’s need for a high-capacity, convertible training space, Tayco furnished two adjacent classrooms with Studi tables in a beautiful Acacia laminate finish. The ganging mechanism on each table allows for quick reconfiguration, from rows of individual seating to collaborative pods, making the room adaptable for training, workshops, or large presentations. Paired with J1 and M1 seating, the setup balances comfort with durability, ensuring long-term performance even under high usage. The cohesive finish palette helps establish a sense of warmth and professionalism, while the mobile, modular nature of the furnishings supports a truly flexible space.
Spaces That Encourage Collaboration and Connection
At the heart of the new ETFO office is a strong emphasis on creating spaces that promote collaboration both for employees and visiting members. The design intentionally blends professional function with an approachable, welcoming atmosphere that encourages connection at every turn.
The drop-in work lounge was reimagined as a casual yet purposeful environment where guests and staff can come together. A bold 144″ Halifax A-Leg Table in Acacia laminate with crisp white metal legs anchors the space, offering ample room for plugging in, working independently, or collaborating informally. Just steps away, a 132″ Halifax table echoes the same warm material palette and offers additional seating and surfaces. Together, these pieces create a cohesive, open-concept zone that fosters interaction without sacrificing comfort.
Beyond the lounge, dedicated collaboration zones were integrated into the layout to support more structured meetings and group discussions. A 120″ Metro professional boardroom table and Halifax video-shaped meeting tables with integrated power serve as high-performance hubs for internal strategy sessions and virtual engagements with external stakeholders. The consistent use of Tayco’s design-forward products throughout these spaces allows for seamless transitions between casual conversation and focused teamwork.
Whether it’s members dropping in for a training session or Teams coming together for a big project, these thoughtfully curated environments support meaningful collaboration and reflect ETFO’s commitment to inclusivity, flexibility, and modern workplace design.
Private Offices Designed for Focus, Comfort, and Personalization
Each of the ten private offices was thoughtfully furnished to balance functionality with a sense of warmth and individuality. Outfitted with a mix of Volley Height Adjustable Tables with enclosures and Halifax freestanding desks, all paired with crisp white metal A-legs, the workspaces offer ergonomic flexibility while delivering an elevated, executive aesthetic. The addition of enclosures on the Volley tables provides a tailored touch, blending privacy with design-forward appeal.
To support day-to-day productivity and improve overall organization, each office is equipped with a high open credenza and a combo cabinet with box/file storage, both finished in Acacia to complement the workspace without overpowering it or consuming too much wall space. These storage solutions offer ample, secure room for personal items and work materials, helping to maintain a clean, clutter-free environment. By keeping essentials neatly tucked away, the space promotes focus, efficiency, and a more organized workday.
Accents like fabric tackboards in Oceanic Ballo bring in calming colour and functionality, while the use of bright finishes and soft tones throughout the space fosters an inviting, home-like atmosphere. These intentional design choices not only boost energy and morale but also create a setting where employees feel at ease and supported.
The Result
ETFO’s new Burlington office is a true reflection of thoughtful planning, smart design, and purposeful furnishing. By addressing their biggest challenges from outdated training spaces to a lack of multifunctional zones, Tayco, in collaboration with atWork Corporate Interiors, delivered a space that empowers both staff and members.
The completed space offers seamless transitions between private work, Team collaboration, and large-scale training sessions all unified by an aesthetic that reflects professionalism, warmth, and motivation. From the flexibility of Studi tables and the striking presence of the Halifax line to the ergonomic performance of Volley and the storage precision of Metro, each element was selected to work in harmony, supporting ETFO’s operations with both purpose and design integrity.
This transformation not only addressed immediate functional needs, but also resulted in an inviting, efficient, and highly adaptable environment. A living example of how thoughtful design and Canadian-made furniture can elevate the workplace experience and inspire those who use it every day.
