Specialty Store, sales area 1500 to 3000 sq. ft., First Place (tie)
II BY IV Design Associates, Toronto
This project also won a Special Award for innovative finishes
Charged with designing a fitting backdrop for Toronto retailer Milli's high-end clothing, II BY IV Design Associates went for full-on drama with a black and white palette. First, however, they had to contend with the downtown store's irregularly shaped space, high ceilings and peculiar location - in a corner laneway that is partially concealed by a park. By demolishing the doorway and canopy, designers opened up the façade to maximize the storefront, and incorporated flanking window displays to entice passersby.
Inside, white walls and limestone flooring contrast and complement the black details. A full-height front partition accepts merchandising fixtures below a huge acrylic rod wall sculpture that is animated by a programmable color LED light system. Two merchandising armoires line the side windows, which were sandblasted and blackened to sleek effect, while tall frames of deeply textured MDF in a glossy black finish reference the entry arch and surround matte wall panels that accommodate black glass shelves, hang rods or face-outs. Flexible workhorse fixtures throughout the space are designed for modularity: floor units can be moved easily for seasonal changes and special events; low black platforms are multipurpose; and black lacquered boxes can be used to display a variety of merchandise.
Client: Milli Gould, Toronto
Design: II BY IV Design Associates Inc., Toronto
Dan Menchions
Keith Rushbrook
General Contractor: Structure Corp., Toronto
Architect: Giancarlo Garofalo Architect, Toronto
Mechanical/Electrical Engineer
MCW Consultants Inc., Toronto
Flooring: Elte Carpets, Toronto
Ciot Marble & Granite, Concord, Ont.
Millwork/Metalwork: Deerwood Design Ltd., Brampton, Ont.
Fabric: Kravet Canada, Mississauga, Ont.
Valley Forge Fabrics Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla.
Lighting: Interlight, Hamilton, Ont.
Eurolite, Toronto
Fixturing: Marlite Canada, Woodbridge, Ont.
Window Graphics: LMS Canada, Toronto
Furniture: Louis Interiors Inc., Toronto
Acrylic Sculpture: Marc Littlejohn Inc., Toronto
Metal Grate: Bolar/Ten Plus Architectural Products, Mississauga, Ont.
Plastic Laminate: Arborite, Toronto
Wallcoverings: Metro Wallcoverings and Fabric, Toronto
Benjamin Moore, Toronto
Rodgers Wallcoverings Ltd., Toronto
Olympia Tile, Toronto
Photography : David Whittaker, Toronto