Ashley Botten Design Creates a Flexible Work Environment for the Changing Needs of a Toronto Film Production Company
Housed on the second floor of a recently completed mixed-use building at 12 Ossington Avenue in Toronto, a growing television production studio takes advantage of the natural light that pours in through multiple arched windows. The building may be new, but its unique design by Hariri Pontarini Architects has made it an instant icon on a street well known for its graffiti-covered alleyways, fashion shops, eateries, and bars.
In contrast to the bustling street, Ashley Botten Design (ABD) introduces a calm sophistication to the interior, which is evident the moment visitors step from the elevator. A gently curved oak wall, with the company’s logo embedded in copper, leads to the open-concept space, with high ceilings and wooden floors reminiscent of a converted warehouse. ABD’s natural material palette layers in a casual and inviting warmth. More traditional office desks are replaced by tabletop surfaces and a communal table surrounded by 16 matching Lara chairs in bleached ash. The extended table provides ample space for impromptu meetings and conversation.
A generous kitchen reflects a work culture that values entertainment and social interaction as essential creative tools. Centrally located, it has a false ceiling and side walls that frame it as a room within a room.
Bleached oak finishes define the walls, with concrete-hued composite used on the countertops. A plate of blackened steel folds over one portion of the island, adding another textural feature. When not in use, the ample island and matte-finish cabinetry transform into sculptural volumes, blending seamlessly with the office design and its overall caramel palette.
To maintain the interior’s openness, ABD selected sliding doors over fixed walls and doors. Manufactured in Italy, the moveable walls have linen layered between sheets of glass to provide a scrim for privacy without obstructing the natural light. An additional sliding wall between the kitchen area and work tables allows for a discrete lounge area at the back, where two changing rooms are regularly used for costume fittings.
Lighting selections are a playful mix of direct and diffused. Track lighting on the ceiling and office-inspired task lights, including the Juniper Thin suspension above the harvest table, make every seat option in this space a potential workplace. Meanwhile, various diffusers, from a moon-shaped wall sconce near the waiting area bench, to a conical pendant made of crinkled white paper, cast a softer and more residential mood.
