SOKO is MARK + VIVI’s first mixed-use project located in downtown Sherbrooke’s transitioning commercial neighborhood, just South of King Ouest. Nestled at the intersection of the Magog and Saint Francis rivers in Quebec’s quaint Eastern Townships, the newly renovated 12,000 square foot, 5-unit apartment building is currently home and studio for designers Mark Fekete and Viviana De Loera, founders of MARK + VIVI.
Originally built between 1914 and 1920, the once abandoned furniture warehouse now also serves as residence and coworking café to many of the city’s newly arrived international students, academics, researchers, and young professionals.
“We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from our neighborhood," says De Loera, co-founder of MARK + VIVI. "We wanted to create a space that served as a catalyst for the design community while providing opportunities for neighbors to network and socialize."
As in previous work, sustainability serves as guide to MARK + VIVI’s design efforts. Rather than shipping construction waste off to landfill, demolished century-old timber framing and Oak floorboards find new life as rugged yet tasteful furniture and accent pieces throughout.
In order to keep with the look and feel of the neighborhood’s architectural heritage, much of the original exterior red brick is kept untouched. Interior steel columns and structural Glu-lam beams are added to support the existing traditional heavy wood framing. Refinished existing wood floors and new “bones” not only lift, but gracefully compliment the old.
Pleasantly unexpected antique finds during demolition helped influence the design process of various living and commercial spaces throughout. Uncovered were old woodworking tools and original vintage hand-painted storefront signs that now play an integral part in SOKO’s warm and cozy industrial interior decor.
“We enjoy creating spaces that capture the essence and character of classical 19th century Canadian industrial buildings infused with contemporary touches of playfulness and style,” says Fekete, co-founder of MARK + VIVI.
