This open concept design was developed to express and showcase the artistry of craft to the community. The mixed gallery, retail, studio, and office space was designed to be a retreat within the city for both the members of Craft Ontario and the public to encourage collaboration and participation in craft. The existing brick facade, the modern interior, and the industrial touch are a mix of old and new, further contributing to the idea of craft and how old and new ideas may be united to generate meaningful interpretations. The natural materials used in the building as well as the craft help capture Craft Ontario's consciousness on sustainability, and the use of the three R's - reduce, reuse, and recycle.

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The design takes into consideration all the challenges in an open office, which is becoming more and more popular in the work environment we see today. It is important to figure out how to incorporate these open workspaces into the different types of companies and their purpose. For example, an advertising media company may be more comfortable with having everything open in comparison to a financial business. My project addresses the large opportunity for collaboration with the open workspaces and studios while also providing privacy when needed such as in the the more formal offices or informal meeting pods. Workplace design is about creating spaces that employees look forward to being in and allowing them to flourish their ideas within a company. It’s not just about creating a more efficient workspace, but a healthier one as well, which is really what creates a more efficient and productive workplace.