How Nokia’s New R&D Campus Raises the Bar for Canada’s Tech Ecosystem
The company’s new space in Ottawa replaces the traditional workplace model with one centered on employee experience.
As Nokia breaks ground on its new 750,000-square-foot R&D campus in Ottawa, the company is preparing to toss out the rulebook for traditional workplace design and instead create a new model for Canadian innovation, talent attraction, and employee experience. While the company already has a presence in the region — Nokia is the second-largest employer in Ottawa, behind the federal government — its new campus is a major boon for Canada’s growing technology ecosystem.
Located in North Kanata, Nokia’s new campus will feature 450,000 square feet of cutting-edge lab space — almost double its current capacity — and 300,000 square feet of workplace, all designed to balance functionality and experience. Once complete, almost 2,000 Nokia employees will have access to the latest technology, workspaces, and amenities, as well as a host of mixed-use community hubs on and off campus.
Breaking from tradition
As seen in Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey, business hubs make up 41% of the current workplace, yet Canadian respondents claim it’s the setting that contributes the least to a positive experience. Instead, employees crave a diversity of experiences — notably, residential spaces, creative labs, and nature retreats.
In response, Nokia’s workplace wing will boast a variety of spaces and amenities proven to attract and retain top talent, boost collaboration, and increase productivity. Designed to support a variety of work modes, the office space includes a library, collaboration hubs, and a host of meeting rooms. With a social break room included on each of its nine floors, the workplace will also include kitchen areas, games and wellness rooms, multi-faith spaces, and decompression pods.
The lab space, which will house Nokia’s high-powered servers and technology infrastructure, will feature more than 2,800 four-post racks across four floors, accommodating both in-line and back-of-rack cooling, with room for future expansion. It’s here where Nokia will have the freedom and technology to experiment, innovate, and achieve its R&D goals.
Organizational community and beyond
Considering work cafes and food halls are the top ranked workplace amenities for Canadian employees, Nokia’s multi-purpose and reconfigurable atrium, “The Link”, is designed to bring people together. Accented by its signature blue staircase, The Link connects the campus lab space and workplace, is home to a café, and is capable of hosting town halls, gala events, or simply serving as a place to connect with colleagues over lunch.
Furthermore, as Nokia’s previous facilities and spaces will be repurposed into an adjacent mixed-use community, the company is taking a holistic approach to enhancing the surrounding areas. Located in the heart of Canada’s largest tech park, Nokia is supporting the future development of residential, commercial, retail, and lifestyle spaces. As a result, Nokia is playing a first-hand role in growing Ottawa’s technology ecosystem, attracting top-tier talent to the region, and further cementing its position as Canada’s innovation hub.
Nature retreats
Like employees’ desire to reduce business hubs, only 14% of the global workforce desires a corporate workplace experience. For Canadian employees, this translates to a desire for more nature retreats — tranquil places that feel connected to nature create space to work with others outdoors.
Designed to reflect Ottawa’s complex river systems and natural landscape, Nokia’s campus will feature intricate outdoor and green spaces, including a courtyard and walking paths. To support employee health and wellness, the campus will also boast a fully equipped fitness centre, bike storage with connected shower facilities, and even potential volleyball and pickleball courts. Inside and out, Nokia’s campus incorporates a range of biophilic elements, including natural plants and warm woods, to enhance mood and well-being.
Given that a positive workplace experience is directly tied to performance, impacting productivity, quality of work, and ultimately, a company’s bottom line, Nokia’s new campus will stand as a testament to a future-forward workplace. For Canada’s technology sector, the flag has been planted — Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem is primed to grow, innovate, and lead on the world stage.
For media inquiries, email .
