After a successful trajectory of providing photographic supplies in a nondescript industrial building, the president, Mr. Basil Hal, wantedot have his own building for logistics and as a personal reward for his many years of labour. The vision that he articulated to me, after a game of tennis,had little to do with physical organization and lots to do about image, the staff’s well-being, and the comfort of guests. This being thepotentialdesign program I accepted the invitation to work with him.
The site, an irregular parallelogram, was in a newindustrial development area in Vaughan. Its geometric configuration was suggestive inthe resolution of the ‘design’ program. Twosquares, each addressing their respective abuttingstreet, became the parti.
The square facing the main street was dedicated to theadministrative and executive spaces, whereas the square on the secondary streetbecame warehouse and shipment functions. The two squaresjoined each other with a slight superimposition, forming a transition space. This area was highlighted by a substantial skylight and exposedsteel structure. A staircase from the administrative square rises on a mezzanine above the warehouse square. A kitchen and eating area occupy this mezzanine with a direct view of the outside through theskylight.Basil wanted to see the snow fall when he sat enjoying a cafe’.
This boutique industrial project received a special recognition certificate from PCI… and for you who may wonder, I do not remember who won the tennis match.
