From Desks to Dwellings: The Residential Revolution in Office Spaces

Canada is in the grips of a housing crisis as the people who need
homes far outnumber the available residential units. At the same
time, Canada is also experiencing a vacancy problem after the
steep decline in office space demand post-COVID. It would make
sense, then, to convert the empty office spaces into residential
units, but as today’s guest, Steven Paynter explains, this
process is far from simple. Steven is the Global Leader of
Building Transformation and Adaptive Reuse at Gensler – an elite
global architecture, design, and planning firm. Steven and his
team developed an algorithm to rapidly assess project viability
for office-to-residential conversions, and he explains how this
helped Gensler form a successful relationship with Calgary
Economic Development. Our guest details the challenges that he
comes across in other parts of North America, as well as the
areas of opportunity to mirror the success of the work done in
Calgary. We also discuss why offices will never be the same
post-COVID, how “trash” office spaces can turn into diamond
residential units, why most buildings are not suitable for
office-to-residential conversions, and the costs of converting
versus construction. To end, we gain a better understanding of
the true value of Gensler’s algorithm, and what the future may
hold for this game-changing initiative. 


 


Key Points From This Episode:


 


Introducing the Global Leader of Building Transformation and
Adaptive Reuse at Gensler, Steven Paynter. 

Steven details his professional background and explains how
he fulfils his role at Gensler. 

The ins and outs of his algorithm for assessing potential
office-to-residential conversions. 

How Gensler formed a relationship with Calgary Economic
Development.

Exploring the challenges and opportunities that Steven sees
in other parts of North America after Calgary’s success. 

The way offices are changing and why they will never be the
same as pre-COVID. 

How some features of an unpleasant office space are actually
ideal for a family home.  

Why the percentage of buildings that are viable for
conversions is so low. 

The costs of office-to-residential conversions versus new
constructions. 

Understanding the true value of Steven and Gensler’s
algorithm.



Listen to the episode wherever you get your
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