Tolko Head Office

Meiklejohn Architects, in association with CEI Architecture, designed the Tolko head office building in Vernon. At four storeys and approximately 60,000 square feet, it remains one of the largest office structures in the Okanagan region. The design is centered on an open-office concept and incorporates several sustainable features, including high insulation values, low-emissivity glazing, and southern solar shading devices. By utilizing a brownfield site and providing underground parking, the project strengthens the commercial fabric of downtown Vernon while reducing automotive reliance.

The facility employs a four-pipe fan coil mechanical system paired with high-efficiency boiler and chiller units to prevent simultaneous heating and cooling, significantly improving energy performance. Environmental comfort is further enhanced by dynamic air filters. To maximize efficiency, the building integrates demand-based variable outside air ventilation, heat recovery on all exhaust air, and an ambient roof-mounted cooler for low-cost chilled water during winter months. The mechanical zones are strategically divided into smaller, localized systems to ensure the building remains flexible and adaptable to future changes in floor plan or usage.