G&F Financial’s Flooring Installation nabs Gold Award

What began as a small fishermen’s credit union in 1940, has become a thriving financial institution with more than 52,000 members and 24 locations in British Columbia. This is the story of G&F Financial Group, which had outgrown its corporate office in Burnaby, and was looking to make the largest historical investment in itself to better service the needs of its employees, members and the community.

In 2015, the company took the first step in finding new commercial space, eventually zeroing in on four floors within the nearby Kings Crossing development. Working with local architect ZGF and design-build contractor Fusion Projects, G&F designed its new flagship office, known as the G&F Hub, to encourage collaboration between departments.

Previously displaced teams in boxed-in layouts now enjoy an open concept floor plan that is both functional and bright. Enclosed offices for private financial interactions were incorporated into the design, using glass walls to maintain an airy feel.

ZGF Architects’ vision made for an award-winning opportunity for Beatty Floors’ experienced installation technicians. Milliken carpet tiles were sculpted into multiple large circles to outline natural meeting spaces. This was done against a backdrop of luxury vinyl planks or polished concrete, creating acoustic quality for meeting breakouts and flare in common areas.

Carpet tile was also installed in the bookable community meeting room on the first floor, staff cubicles, private meeting offices and large education room on the second floor. Luxury vinyl planks can be found in the main upper lobby and throughout the kitchen, too.

Ardex’s Feather Finish self-drying cement-based finish underlayment allowed the installers to build up each area to a common height. This ensures a smooth transition between different flooring types with no tripping hazards. Tactile warnings were also drilled into the well-trod wood stairway between the first and second floor to alert the vision-impaired of grade changes. Spaces were finished off with Johnsonite 10-inch rubber wall base.

Completed in late spring 2020, the G&F Hub garnered Beatty Floors a gold 2021 Starnet Design Award in the newly created category, Canadian Project of the Year. The annual competition honours outstanding projects completed by Starnet membership in partnership with architects, designers and Starnet aligned manufacturing partners.

Vance McCarthy is soon-retiring president of Beatty Floors Ltd. Don Brletic is general manager. Located in Burnaby, B.C., Beatty Floors is one of the largest full-service commercial flooring contractors in Canada, with more than 90 years of experience in the business. Don can be reached at 604-254-9571.