Design Stories & Insights

Three weeks ago, I met with clients who'd already hired a contractor to remove every wall on their main floor. They called me in a panic because something felt... off. Walking through their space, the problem hit me immediately - zero acoustic privacy, no defined zones, and their beautiful heritage details were about to disappear.

Here's the thing nobody tells you: open concept works brilliantly when you've got the square footage to play with. But in Toronto's typical 1,200 sq ft homes? You're often creating more problems than you're solving. Sound travels everywhere, cooking smells take over, and you lose valuable wall space for storage and art.

What I usually recommend instead is a "semi-open" approach. Keep some strategic walls - maybe a half-wall between kitchen and living, or a transparent partition that defines space without blocking light. You maintain that airy feeling but actually gain functionality. Plus, your heating bills will thank you come January.

The clients ended up keeping two walls and adding glass panels. They saved about $15K in structural work and ended up with a space that actually works for how they live. Not every design trend fits every home, and that's totally okay.

Last year, we completed a commercial renovation in Liberty Village where the client was adamant about sustainability but had a tight budget. Everyone said it couldn't be done. Challenge accepted.

First thing - we focused on what I call "the big three": insulation, windows, and HVAC. These aren't sexy Instagram features, but they'll save you thousands annually. We used locally-sourced recycled insulation (30% cheaper than conventional), high-performance windows (yes, they cost more upfront, but the rebates helped), and a smart HVAC system that paid for itself in 18 months.

For finishes, reclaimed materials became our best friend. That "rustic" exposed brick everyone loves? It was already there under the drywall. The reception desk? Reclaimed bowling alley lanes from a demolished building in Hamilton. Looked incredible and cost half what new materials would've run.

The kicker? Their energy bills dropped 62% compared to the previous tenant. The building actually became a selling point for attracting eco-conscious employees. Sometimes the "expensive" choice is actually the smart financial move - you just gotta look past year one.

Growing up in a basement apartment in North York, I spent my teenage years in this dim, depressing space. It affected everything - my mood, my energy, even my grades. When I finally moved into a place with decent windows, it was like night and day (pun intended). That experience shaped how I approach every single project.

Natural light isn't just about throwing in bigger windows, though that helps. It's about understanding sun patterns, which I know sounds pretentious, but hear me out. In Toronto, southern exposure is gold - you get consistent light without the harsh afternoon glare. Eastern light is gorgeous for bedrooms (waking up naturally beats any alarm), and western light... well, it's tricky. Great for evening spaces but you'll want good shading.

Some tricks I use constantly: light-colored flooring near windows bounces light deeper into rooms. Transom windows above interior doors let light flow between spaces. Strategically placed mirrors can literally double your perceived natural light. And skylights? Game-changers for central areas that don't have exterior walls.

Had a client recently tell me their seasonal depression improved after we redesigned their home office with better light orientation. That's not me being a miracle worker - it's just respecting what our bodies actually need. Good architecture should make you feel better, not just look pretty on Pinterest.

The CEO of a tech company told me their biggest challenge wasn't salary - it was getting people back to the office. Fair enough. Why commute an hour when you can work in your pajamas? The office needs to offer something home can't.

First up: variety. Not everyone works the same way, so why design like they do? We created zones - quiet focus areas with acoustic panels, collaborative spaces with movable furniture, casual lounges that don't feel like waiting rooms, and yeah, even a few phone booths for privacy. Let people choose what works for their task.

Second: comfort that doesn't suck. I'm talking real chairs, desks that adjust (standing desks aren't just trendy, they're necessary), temperature controls in different zones, and plants. Lots of plants. Sounds basic, but you'd be shocked how many offices skip this stuff to save money, then wonder why retention is terrible.

Third: give people a reason to bump into each other. Central kitchen that's actually inviting, not just a break room with a sad coffee maker. Casual meeting spots near high-traffic areas. Outdoor terrace access if you've got it. The random conversations are where the magic happens.

That tech company? They redesigned based on these principles, and their office attendance went from 20% to 75% voluntary. Not because they mandated it, but because people genuinely wanted to be there. That's the goal.