The Prism House
Rosedale, Toronto | Completed 2022
This one was interesting. Clients wanted something that'd catch light differently throughout the day - like living inside a kaleidoscope but, y'know, practical. Took us about 18 months from sketch to move-in, and honestly? The way morning sun hits that angular facade still gets me.
We demolished a 1960s brick box that'd seen better days. The lot had great bones but the existing structure was fighting against natural light instead of working with it. Our approach centered on creating these intersecting planes that literally fracture sunlight into the interior spaces.
Challenge: The neighbors were skeptical at first - "too modern" they said. But once they saw how we integrated the design with the streetscape, maintaining height consistency and adding mature landscaping, things shifted.
- Total Area: 4,200 sq ft
- Floors: 3 levels plus basement
- Materials: Low-E glazing, white oak, polished concrete, aluminum cladding
- Energy Rating: LEED Gold certified
- Special Features: Automated skylight system, geothermal heating, rainwater collection
- Budget: $2.8M CAD
Before: 1963 original
After: 2022 completion
Refraction Tower
Financial District, Toronto | Completed 2023
Working on a 12-story commercial build in downtown TO was... yeah, it was a lot. City regulations, heritage considerations since we're near Old Town, and a client who wanted "iconic but not flashy." That's a tightrope right there.
The site used to be a parking lot - prime real estate just sitting there. We designed the facade with these angled glass panels that shift appearance depending on where you're standing. It's subtle, not screaming for attention, but people notice.
Real talk: We had issues with the initial glass supplier. Delays, quality concerns, the whole mess. Ended up switching mid-project which set us back three months. Taught us to have better backup plans.
- Total Area: 156,000 sq ft
- Floors: 12 above grade, 2 below
- Tenant Capacity: Up to 850 workers
- Materials: Structural steel, triple-glazed curtain wall, limestone base
- Green Features: Solar panel integration, smart HVAC, green roof terraces
- Parking: 180 spaces underground with EV charging
- Timeline: 32 months
Phase 1: Took 8 months just for approvals and permits. City planning, heritage board reviews, environmental assessments - standard stuff but still tedious.
Phase 2: Foundation and structural work was pretty smooth actually. Had a great contractor team who knew downtown logistics.
Phase 3: Facade installation - this is where we hit those supplier problems I mentioned. Frustrating but we adapted.
Phase 4: Interior fit-out and systems. Client changed their mind on lobby design halfway through which... well, that happened.
The Merchant's Hall Revival
Distillery District, Toronto | Completed 2021
Okay so this project scared me at first. 1880s commercial building, limestone that was crumbling in places, windows that hadn't been touched since who knows when. But the client trusted us to bring it back while adding modern functionality. No pressure, right?
The building had been empty for almost a decade. Water damage, structural concerns, outdated everything. We brought in heritage specialists, structural engineers, the whole crew. Our philosophy was preserve what makes it special, upgrade what makes it livable.
We kept the original brick and timber where possible, restored 23 original windows, and added a discrete modern glass addition at the rear that doesn't compete with the historic facade. It's now mixed-use - retail below, residential units above.
- Original Build: 1882
- Total Area: 18,500 sq ft
- Units: 6 residential lofts, 2 commercial spaces
- Restored Elements: Original limestone facade, timber beams, cast iron columns
- Modern Additions: Glass rear extension, updated MEP systems, insulation
- Designation: Protected heritage property
- Timeline: 26 months
Before: Neglected state
After: Restored beauty
Fun fact: We found old merchant ledgers hidden in a wall cavity during demolition. They're now displayed in the ground floor retail space.
Crystalline Workspace
King West, Toronto | Completed 2023
Tech startup wanted their office to feel less "tech startup" if that makes sense. They were tired of the exposed brick, ping pong table vibe. Wanted something that felt grown-up but still creative. We went with this angular, light-focused interior that kinda became our signature look.
The space was a blank shell in a converted warehouse - high ceilings, concrete floors, good natural light from north-facing windows. We created these geometric partition systems using translucent panels that define zones without blocking light flow.
Acoustic treatment was huge here because open concept offices can get noisy fast. We integrated sound-absorbing materials into those angular ceiling elements that also happen to look pretty cool.
- Total Area: 8,400 sq ft
- Capacity: 65 workstations
- Zones: Open workspace, 4 meeting rooms, focus pods, social area
- Materials: Polycarbonate panels, white oak, polished concrete, acoustic felt
- Lighting: Custom LED system with circadian rhythm programming
- Furniture: Mix of custom-built and curated pieces
- Timeline: 4 months
Light Strategy: North light is consistent but can be flat. We used reflective surfaces and angular elements to bounce light around, creating dynamic shadows that change through the day.
Flow & Function: Placed collaborative zones near the social area, quiet focus spots by the windows. Basic stuff but you'd be surprised how often it gets messed up.
Flexibility: Client's growing fast so we designed movable partition systems. They can reconfigure about 40% of the space without calling us back.
Vertex Residences
Yorkville, Toronto | In Progress - 2025
This is our biggest residential project to date and honestly, it's been keeping me up at night in the best way. 28-story condo tower in one of Toronto's priciest neighborhoods. The developer gave us creative freedom which is amazing but also terrifying because everyone's watching.
The concept is this twisting form that creates unique floor plates as you go up. Means no two units have exactly the same layout which is cool for buyers but a nightmare for construction sequencing. We're basically solving a 3D puzzle in real-time.
Working with the city on shadow studies took forever. Yorkville residents are protective of their neighborhood - rightfully so - so we had to prove our design wouldn't negatively impact surrounding properties.
- Total Area: 342,000 sq ft
- Floors: 28 above grade, 4 below
- Units: 186 condos (1-3 bedrooms + penthouses)
- Amenities: Rooftop terrace, fitness center, concierge, party room
- Materials: Glass and aluminum curtain wall, granite cladding, steel structure
- Sustainability: LEED Platinum target, green roof, triple-glazing
- Estimated Completion: Fall 2025
Current Status: We're at floor 16 right now. Structure's going up faster than expected which is rare and awesome. Facade work starts next month.
Challenges So Far: Supply chain issues hit us like everyone else. We had to redesign some interior details when our original stone supplier couldn't deliver. Also dealing with noise complaints from neighbors during foundation work - part of the game but still stressful.
What's Next: Interior fit-out for model suite, finalize lobby design, continue pushing on the upper floors. Sales launch is planned for spring 2024.