down the spiral we go

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.

street juxta

wine, cheese, and a mani

I had always wondered how it's like inside when walking by nail parlours. Presumably like most men, I had never set foot in one. (Aside from the few who take good care of themselves or the subculture of classical and flamenco guitar players who need nails on their picking hand perhaps.)

Well there was a chance to go to a wine, cheese and manicure event, the curious cat in me just jumped on it. Well, I have to say it's a treat and the bonding time while being pampered is quite fun and precious actually. On the technical side, wine glass with a straw is mandatory due to the temporary inability for precise finger use. I had to dig out a mobile phone deep in the purse for one of my friends before the delicate design is cured :)

feature for valentine's special

Valentine's - to celebrate the magical and intimate romance between 2 people in love - usually includes a dark and private setting with a candlelight dinner. We crafted images for a featured article in the Toronto Sun, creating the mood with suggestions and ideas for small condo lovers. Hopefully it helped some lovebirds write a memorable page in their storybook.

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.

knoll holiday portraits

Knoll hosted a semi-private holiday portrait session. It is like a candy store for designers, you bring your loved ones and get photographed in iconic knoll pieces. Anita my portraitist wife who is addicted to capturing the best of her subjects had a blast directing and capturing the various groupings, there were a few pets that behaved better than some kids - just sayin' ;)

Some behind the scenes here - I rigged up an Octabank for wrap around lighting and hooked up an iPad mini with HDMI connection to a TV for a manual photo booth feedback for the sitters, a giant selfie screen of sort. It worked but became a distraction for kids as they kept looking at the TV. Now perhaps someday we can have floating screens that hover above our heads at the camera position, now that would be cool!

boy wonder

When you catch boys at the perfect age they are innocent, adorable, approachable, confident and make great portraiture subjects. This time round, my excellent portraitist wife Anita got to have fun capturing the spirit of the boy wonder.

looking back at 2013

Happy New Year, may 2014 bring you all success and joy! Looking back at 2013, it was a busy year and I photographed several award winning projects, travelled to Quebec and Edmonton and was published in Interior Design, Azure, and the Globe and Mail among others. My passion in capturing spaces and design is furthered and I am committed to the continual pursuit of high quality image craft. I also launched my blog: stevie rave on, which is the best way to see what I am up to. Be sure to bookmark and visit me in 2014!

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!

wedding guest editorial

My good friend and talented designer AP tied the knot, take note of the breathtaking wedding dress she designed! They are the most fun couple I know and the wedding was indeed a blend of unique, hilarious and touching moments. The idea of cap guns for wedding favours is just through the roof! What a riot!

b-roll Cap gun induced scenarios of secret agents and simulation of a drunken gunshot accident scene. I emptied my pockets onto the plate - Bond, James Bond!

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.

zoom zoom, or more aptly named: ding ding

Toronto is one of the lucky cities to still operate streetcars in the downtown core. Though the experience of riders, inconveniences of cyclists and drivers along with weather hinderances are debatable factors; the trade-off of clean air unlike New York City or Hong Kong is welcomed in my books. Living with and adapting to these gentle giants is part of Toronto and an unique experience. Streetcar Portraits is a commissioned project to capture and convey the spirit of downtown - ding ding!

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.