FCB

This Former Factory’s Glow-Up Pays Tribute to the Building’s History

Advertising agency space was already something of a niche for Bartlett & Associates by the time FCB came calling. As in many global networks, the Toronto outpost was looking to distinguish its office with a singular identity. We worked closely with the client to develop a laid-back, rugged-yet-professional aesthetic that feels uniquely Canadian.

The company lucked out in finding 55,000 square feet of loft-style space in a former lightbulb factory. The building’s history inspired a focus on lighting that begins in reception. Whimsical signage featuring a giant 3D lightbulb greets visitors at the entrance. Behind this feature, tables crafted from rough-hewn logs complement a wall clad in weathered wood. A cold-rolled steel desk and a sleek leather sofa are both custom for the project.

Reception opens up to an office café (complete with coffee bar) and, ultimately, the open-plan office. The space is airy, energetic and inspiring, with open meeting areas and an appealing mezzanine. A custom staircase connects the main levels of the office, combining elegant glass with robust steel beams and folded steel treads. It’s a feature that blends seamlessly with the architecture, but commands attention as you move closer.

The eye-catching lighting has visitors looking up throughout the space. We worked with some of our favourite Canadian lighting sources to fill the project with a variety of interesting fixtures. Commute Home’s Basket Chandelier (a playful tangle of cords that suspends a cluster of bulbs from a spoke-shaped base) and Wireframe (which frames a single bulb in the outline of a classic lampshade) are just two of the pieces that highlight a classic form and nod to the building’s industrial past.