Divide + Connect

Our client’s brief was to fit out a full floor of the historic Commerce Court North building, in Toronto’s financial district, to not only serve the practical requirements of a growing team but also symbolize a new chapter for their evolving business.

In plan, the space was thoughtfully divided into two main zones: a formal area for high-level meetings and client interactions, and a more casual, functional area for daily operations. The formal spaces, designed to host guests, investors, and executives, include larger offices and boardrooms finished in rift-cut white oak, charcoal felt and black walls, with custom designed and fabricated quarter-sawn custom white oak tables. These areas are designed to be sophisticated and private, ensuring that confidential meetings are held in a secure and comfortable environment. In contrast to this zone, the operational area where workstations, small meeting rooms, phone rooms and the kitchenette are located, is minimal and white. This section was designed to be flexible and collaborative, fostering a productive atmosphere for the team. The clean, bright spaces, articulated by new angled walls, provide areas for both individual and group work and are intended to inspire casual collaboration and conversation while also allowing areas for quiet focus.

In section, a horizontal datum line runs through the entire office creating a visual connection between the two zones. In the warmer formal spaces rift-cut white oak lines the bottom third of the spaces and above that the core walls are clad in charcoal profiled felt. In the minimal informal areas the bottom third is primarily clad in durable high pressure laminate with the core walls lined in white profiled felt.

The design had to address several challenges posed by the existing heritage condition, including small window openings, multiple bulkheads, and induction units, all of which needed to remain untouched. To mitigate the appearance of the bulkheads and to sculpt the light from the small openings, canted walls were introduced throughout the white work zone. These new walls were also used to shape smaller work areas for project teams. To maximize usable office space, workstations were required to be placed along the perimeter. This posed a challenge due to the multiple induction units located on these walls which required easy access. To satisfy this requirement, these workstation desks were customized to be quickly and easily removable. Benches, bar height tables and other features were built on casters to ensure quick removal when needed.

To help with acoustic comfort in the largely open concept office space, profiled felt was installed above all desks along the core walls. Partitions with high STC ratings were used to minimize sound transmission between office spaces and maximize privacy.

The focus was creating a cohesive space that balanced openness and privacy, collaboration and individual work spaces, practical needs and an inspiring space for the team and its visitors. The final result is an office that reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and professionalism, providing a dynamic environment that supports both high-level operations and daily activities