Reinventing a heritage-designated 1930s building, this 13-storey mixed-use project named Waterworks houses a food hall and new YMCA. The Art Deco exterior, juxtaposed with the raw industrial interior, creates a variation of aesthetics that provide inspiration for the interior design of the condominium common spaces and amenity areas.
The client asked the design team to respect the history and highlight the heritage aspects of the building in the interior communal areas. Taking that as their cue, the designers built out a vision that blurred the line between past and present and flowed seamlessly throughout the 367m² of common spaces.
The final design incorporates weathered wood and exposed brick, paired with black metal accents and large-format photography that highlights the history of the space. The combination of raw and natural textures, alongside a muted sepia palette, is used throughout the shared areas, creating a seamless transition from one space to the next. Most of the materials – from barn wood to raw steel – have been refurbished and reimagined by local artisans, adding a sustainability element to the design while creating a unique aesthetic all its own.
