Desjardins financial centre Toronto

Desjardins financial centre is a one-stop-shop at the heart of Bay street - designed by Ædifica architecture + design.

I had the pleasure of photographing this modern bank in the spring. The clean double height storefront beacons with a large digital display, surrounded by bottom-lit animated angled wood panels that convey warmth and fun, a fresh look not usually expected from a bank.

The angular theme is completed throughout the architecture and interior. Boomerang shaped reception desk adds dynamism in the front lobby while the perspective accentuating slanted wood bay on the left side houses the main service desks where warm wood surround and desk height clerks greet customers in the seated position that adds to the approachable feel. On the right side, a lounge is situated in front of a large clear meeting room which anchors a bank of offices with clear glazed fronts. Inside, trapezoidal felt panels in organic pattern and colour add comfort and energy while adjacent exterior facing windows are also covered in translucent film of the same pattern - which forms a large messaging area for the entire side of the building.

This branch design is refreshing and is clearly aimed at the urbanites of Toronto, I can't imagine anyone coming out of the branch without a smile on their face!

Environics featuring Haworth furniture

Environics Analytics office interior designed by figure3, features Haworth furniture to support various workstyles of this modern office. A small office that features no dedicated receptionist, it has a small reception lounge next to the multi-function breakout / lunch / town hall area complete with branded feature wall and bar height counters that support cafe style work and collaboration. Small telephone rooms + meeting rooms provide privacy to support the open studio environment. Glass panels with gradated privacy film anchor the end of benching workstations which include storage pedestals with guest seating pads for casual visitors and mini-meetings at the desk or screen. Touch-down stations and soft lounge chairs opposite the hallway of the studio provide mobile workers / guests alternate space for short term work environments.

It is such a fun and efficient space which supports workstyles of this modern marketing analytics company. Environics was finalist in the 2014 REMMY awards for small innovative workspace.

black's photography

Black's photography - the well know Canadian retailer, was looking to refresh its brand and place in the camera store landscape. figure3 conceptualized and designed a store that help customers immerse in the new playground for photography where different zones enable them to get inspired, create and share all things photographic, online and printed. Cool store features include welcome lounge area with a photobook table, warm and inviting furnishing, feature wall with magnetic panel for flexible merchandising and sliding display bookcases that reveal access to storage which maximizes small footprint retail stores. This is such a fun store concept that is current and exciting. The cute furniture clusters just begs to be perched in and being surrounded by cameras + toys didn't exactly help with my concentration during the shoot either.

home of genius - newton model suite

Ever wonder what a condo looks like as the resting cove of a genius? Concord Adex commissioned figure3 to design a space where a distinguishing couple comfortably calls home. It is a space that satisfies a genius scientist and his elite fashion designer counterpart. Sophistication and luxury is seen in the details and furnishing where organic warmth pairs harmoniously with a collection of objects focusing on scientific pursuit. The two washrooms – a his and hers - feature framed work by Newton and vintage Hermes scarf respectively. Glass top dinning table makes the kitchen feel light and spacious while classic furniture alongside the refined Bang & Olufsen TV creates an alluring living room that just begs to be lounged in. In the bedroom, gray silk wallcovering backdrops the headboard with subtle shimmering texture while polished doorframe and silver mirror engulfs the walk in closet, creating a semi-display and functional sparkle of a gem.

It is not an exaggeration to call it a sexy home - intellectually and stylistically!

apex toronto featuring mohawk curious modular carpet

If you weren't aware of carpet as a design element as yet, here is a great showcase.

Textile and carpet design is certainly not as easy as it looks. Besides controlled use as an accent or bold design statement, it needs to be a tasteful backdrop that doesn't overtake a space yet the texture and tone has a major impact on the experience of the space. For large application of carpet tiles as field carpet, it requires creative design to generate organic patterning so surfaces don't become dizzying pattern as seen on video game texture maps.

It is at the core of graphic design where elements such as lines, textures, orientation, negative space, pattern modularity, micro + macro appearance and three dimensional illusion all need to be carefully considered.

Mohawk's attractive Curious Modular Series under the State of Mind II collection demonstrates the creativity and design nicely in this commercial application at APEX office.

Vistek Mississauga

figure3 designed the Vistek Mississauga store as a new concept. It contains an inspiring gallery space with a presentation area at the back. It can be used for events, educational theatre with projection as well as demo shoot space with lighting and backdrop. Modular kit-of-parts fixtures provide flexibility and unified design for counters, back wall, and floor displays. The minimal and clean design presents products without getting in the way. The store design was rolled out to the Toronto rental portion and Ottawa store. Being part of the design team and heavily involved in the space and fixture design, this was like a kid in a candy store for me.

Coca-Cola headquarters

Coke's Canadian HQ relocation to downtown Toronto was a bold but welcomed move. The LEED project added 3 storeys to the existing Toronto Sun building in King east where established neighbourhood and transportation system supports an environmentally responsible development. The sun-lit and modern workspace designed by figure3 features a large interior atrium with centrally located meeting rooms and communal spaces. The highly adored outdoor patio connects with the warm and inviting lunchroom where it houses the fun and popular freestyle coke machine - you can mix your own drink. Large graphic portals connect workspaces and the central atrium where brand messages and company value envelops the viewers as they pass through them. I was commissioned to produce some of the contents for art canvases and portal graphics as seen here and here.

Coke is a very exciting project and people are happy to be there, when told about being the designers during the photo shoots, the reactions were always amazement and grattitude. You can sure feel the buzz in the space!

haworth toronto showroom

The newly renovated Haworth Toronto Showroom features a mix of workplace solutions and sexy Haworth Collections with classic to modern design that fits in many settings outside of the office. There is a cleverly disguised meeting/ping-pong table, multi-purpose to the core. I personally love the rocking horse chair-the shetland. You have to try it, loads of fun to ride and versatile for various tasks! The boardroom features a table with proprietary technology "workware" that enables easy collaboration and information sharing. The boardroom, raised floor, and presentation rooms feature large environmental graphic backdrops featuring image and adapted graphic from my streetcar portrait series. Haworth Toronto Showroom is opened from 9 to 5, Monday to Friday.

eli lilly

Eli Lilly looks to figure3 for their workspace revitalization and expansion in the east end home base. The design directive is to charge forward while preserving the company’s 135 year old heritage, providing amenities and meeting spaces where staff can relax and step out from the work routine.

In addition to collaboration spaces within workstation neighbourhoods, there are dedicated spaces such as open lounges, cafe, yoga studio, spinning room and gym. The games room features stimulating and laid back zones in a design that exudes class without losing the fun factor. It feels like home away from home and everyone just adores the space.

Eli Lilly’s Commons is a meeting/collaboration space designed with touches of vintage style that adds a sense of history. This hospitality-meets-workplace environment is meant for stepping away from work desk and having an unconventional meeting with clients, an internal office event, or simply an alternative space to work. The mix of residential and hospitality feel in design brings comfort, sunlight, nature and warmth - endowing a space that is surely an envy to other corporations.

azzari fashions

Azzari Fashions designed by figure3.

canada goose | canada proud

World renowned for outstanding Canadian made extreme weather apparel, Canada Goose teamed with figure3 for the relocation of their offices within a north Toronto neighbourhood. Utilizing elements within the existing industrial building, figure3 planned the space to support Canada Goose's growing needs for functional offices, meeting rooms and showroom for both staff and clients. The space was designed to reflect Canada Goose's unique blend of rugged lifestyle and high-tech innovation. 'Box within a box' offices and meeting rooms are framed in black and run the length of the interior space which highlight the height of the space and expose the natural wood deck ceiling above. Crisp white epoxy floors guide users throughout, leading to key spaces featuring full height graphics and open workstation groupings. This customized corporate office has genuinely provided Canada Goose with a place they can call home.

Always looking for the next adventure, Canada Goose is currently collaborating with figure3 to relocate their Toronto manufacturing facility within the same building as their new office.

For behind the scenes of this photo shoot, click here.

concord opus model suite

Concord Adex's Park Place Opus condo is designed by figure3 interior design. The wide and shallow suites along the perimetre of the building take advantage of the abundant sun light and unobstructed window views. The efficient interior uses structural feature wall with fireplace to divide the dinning room and living room. The den is multi-functional which can function as a study or bedroom with a fold down bed.

mediabrands - award winning workplace design

IPG Mediabrands, designed by figure3, is an award winning workplace environment. The open floor plate features collaborative spaces in the core and casual lounge seatings are interspersed throughout. Coloured panels add excitement and act as wayfinding for neighbourhoods. The cafe, heart of the space where staffs interact also functions as breakout area near the meeting rooms. The complete transparency of glass fronts connect the culture and life for the staffs and visitors. Environmental graphic of buildings wrap the core and white, reversed images gives semi-privacy to the visitor lounge and executive meeting room.

downtown markham presentation centre

The presentation centre for Downtown Markham is designed by figure3 and features a swooping, nest-like structure that envelops the main entrance from exterior into an interior portal with immersive projection content. Inside the showroom, dark reflective glass panels divide casual, intimate lounges where clients can have a relaxed session while learning about the project with the salesperson. The main space features cafe settings and a large natural wood table with iPads where clients can explore on their own. In the high space above the lounges, images are projected to create dynamic messaging. Eventscape produced a really cool video showcasing the elements they engineered and constructed.

bridle path residence

Renovated custom home by Paul Raff Studio, featuring clever pivoting screens inside and out with an asian aesthetic. Paul's usual poetic architecture creates immersive dwelling with mixture of nature, sun, and organic natural elements in a minimalistic design that is an envy of modern living. What a beautiful home!

simons west edmonton mall - award winning retail design

Simons new store at the west edmonton mall, designed by figure3, is fun and engaging, resulting in a memorable experience that creates a new destination for fashion-focused shoppers. On the exterior, twisted metal fins cladding creates soft shimmer and organic texture. Inside the store, various departments provide their own unique experience and interaction including descending fitting rooms at the young women's area. Simons also commissioned architect Philip Beesley to create a permanent art installation, executed as an ethereal canopy that hovers above viewers. Simons wem has won the Retail Store of the Year award, department store, and fitting room design in Chain Store Age competition.

TELUS yorkdale

TELUS G2, award winning store design by figure3, is seen in Yorkdale Shopping Centre.

Sidebar for a little critters fun in one of my 3d renderings of the storefront study - they are just so adorable :)

O&B Canteen + LUMA at the TIFF.

Oliver & Bonacini's famed restaurants Canteen and LUMA at the TIFF Bell lightbox, architectural lighting design by Lightbrigade.

TELUS G2 - award winning retail store design

TELUS retail store designed in collaboration with figure3 is a fresh concept that brings the experience to the forefront of the retail environment. The first G2 store in Carrefour Laval has won major retail awards such as the Grand prize in A.R.E.design award, digital on display A.R.E.in-store communications and store of the year in Chain Store Age. Having been involved heavily as part of the design team throughout the project means I am sort of in front and behind the camera at the same time for this shoot!

happy to work

Workopolis is a well known Canadian online based recruitment company. Their culture is young, fun, energetic and free - demonstrating new attitude towards work themselves. Figure3 designed the office to provide workspace with a central hub of shared space providing teaming, private conversation, and gaming spaces along with fun and bright colour.