WZMH Architects’ Toronto studio renovation reimagines the firm’s long-standing headquarters on the 15th floor of 95 St. Clair Avenue West — a building the practice originally designed in the late 1960s — marking its first comprehensive redesign in more than 30 years. The brief was to create a contemporary workplace that reflects WZMH’s legacy while supporting a modern, adaptable, and collaborative environment for its 120+ person team. Central to this vision was the inclusion of spaces for collaboration, research, and social connection, alongside the thoughtful integration of heritage elements that speak to the firm’s history.
A key challenge was the phased transformation of approximately 75% of the floor plate while maintaining operations, requiring the north portion to function as swing space during construction. This area has since been repurposed to accommodate hoteling desks and the firm’s Sparkbird R&D lab. The redesign also needed to support a variety of workplace functions — from focused work to collaboration and firm-wide gatherings — while creating shared spaces, including the central lounge, that now hosts the firm’s newly established in-house learning program, WZMH Academy, introduced as part of the office’s innovation-focused redesign. Integrating historical elements, including furniture selected by founding Principal Boris Zerafa and artwork by his brother Ronald Zerafa, required a careful balance between preserving legacy and creating a cohesive contemporary environment.
The resulting design blends classic minimalist references with contemporary materials. A Barcelona Pavilion–inspired black porcelain feature wall establishes a strong architectural focal point, complemented by extruded aluminum panels that introduce a refined, modern contrast. Adaptable furnishings and a variety of workspaces support different modes of use across studios, collaboration areas, and a central lounge that serves as the social and communal heart of the office. Framed by expansive city views — including sightlines to the CN Tower and other projects shaped by the firm — the space reinforces WZMH’s connection to Toronto while providing a forward-looking workplace aligned with the evolving nature of architectural practice.
Team:
Architects: WZMH Architects
Photographer: Doublespace
Materials Used:
Flooring:
Mirage Clay – Porcelain Tile
Findeisen Finett Dimension — Studio Carpet (Monolithic Look)
Doors:
Quadrifoglio M2 — Glass and Door Partition System
Mandelli - Door Handles
Interior lighting:
Deltalight — General Lighting
Luce Plan – Accent Lighting
Interior furniture:
Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier chairs
Horm - Him & Her Chairs, Tout le jour chairs, Marina coffee tables, SC1 loungers
Arrmet Dam Tub armchair
Amini Whisper area rug
Pedrali Ikon Table, Blume credenzas
Bross, Wam Stools
Quadrifoglio X6 dining table
Lema Gull wing boardroom tables
Fornasarig Link conference chairs
