When it comes to Fullscript’s employees and where they work, the company’s philosophy is deceptively simple: “Work where you work well.” Fullscript’s 250-plus Ottawa-based employees can choose where they can do their best work – whether that’s at the company’s spa-like retreat in Kanata, its lively downtown hub at Constitution Square, or in the comfort of their own home. Either way, Fullscript encourages its employees to choose what’s best for them.
The thoughtfulness behind this message was also reflected in the configuration of the company’s office spaces and the overarching goal of fostering a culture of community and collaboration.
This setup was generated as a result of a post-pandemic re-evaluation, says Fullscript CEO Kyle Braatz.
“We’ve always been a remote-friendly company, and pre-pandemic that didn’t stop people from coming to the office more often than WFH. In fact, each Friday we celebrated the week’s wins at a town hall (meeting), a ritual to foster open and transparent communication, cross-discipline empathy and community-building. Those Fridays, the office was packed. It was the magic of human interaction that drove people to the office. Often there were so many people in the office, you didn’t have a desk, but people wanted to see their teammates, hear what they were working on, and learn.
“Post-pandemic, our goal was to create office spaces that are geared to the way people work today: a few days at home, a few days in office and most importantly as a gathering place that helps drive meaningful connections. We place a high value on informal, unstructured or unforced discussions that happen when you are together. Water-cooler chats, lunch-room collisions or off-site side discussions … all of these connections help us identify what our teammates are working on, spark curiosity and drive impact,” explains Braatz. 
For every business, there are moments when it’s really key to bring people together, concurs Heather Tyrie, vice-president of talent engagement for Fullscript.
“Our folks genuinely enjoy hanging out and working together. We knew we wanted to be hybrid, but we also knew that having gathering spaces was going to be important to us,” she says.
It is also important to provide an environment conducive to different work styles, and the two locations facilitate the differing demands.
At Constitution Square, the calming, muted sage green walls belie a busy downtown vibe where employees can work, socialize and collaborate.
Fullscript enlisted designer Clearspace and modelled the office as a vibrant “campus” with an open environment that accommodates 108 desks, and several different areas supporting how Fullscripters want to work. There is the Library, where people can work independently; the Quad, where people gather and conversation is encouraged; and the Residence, where people work side by side.
Both the kitchen (the Canteen) and the Quad serve as gathering spaces where Fullscript hosts events for team members and the external community. These spaces have become a meet-up spot for local Ruby and JavaScript developers in the evenings, as well as a location for the company’s hack-a-thons and annual Fullhouse events.
The Kanata location, dubbed the “Retreat,” is a more serene environment with a completely different feel. The drive to the Kanata office takes you up a tree-lined driveway to an old stone home and newer office space remodelled by LWG Architectural Interiors. 
The designer stayed true to the bones of the home, veering away from the look of the more traditional office space. The historic Monk House is used for connection and collaboration, while the adjoining office accommodates up to 55 people in a more classic work environment. Wild turkeys and deer may be co-workers, and there is an outdoor patio and barbecue available to spice up the workday. The space is adjacent to the Monk Environmental Park, so if anyone wants to commune with nature to clear their head and spark new ideas, it is just on their doorstep. “It is meant to feel like a spa,” says Tyrie. “The Retreat in Kanata is unique. There’s absolutely nothing like it in the tech park.”
“At Fullscript, our passion for whole-person care is at the heart of everything we do,” says Braatz. “We’ve created office spaces that embody our values, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Our design isn’t just about esthetics; it’s about facilitating meaningful connection and promoting health. While it might seem obvious, many workplaces overlook these elements. It’s important our team feels inspired at the office, making it a hub where ideas flourish and connections deepen.”
This article first appeared in the September 2024 special “Best Offices Ottawa” issue of the Ottawa Business Journal. That publication is available in its digital edition below.
