Modernizing a Single Unit Toronto Office Space

This project was an attempt to design a space for a small team of filmmakers and content creators. The modern finishing and state-of-the-art work bench concept were at the forefront of the design intentions. With four desks, an editing bay, an office, and a two-seat work bench, “Victory Studios” can handle up to eight filmmakers, editors, designers, and creators.

Brick and beam office buildings are everywhere in Toronto. I found a unit a few years ago when I was not broke and considering the possibility of getting a unit to fit my criteria and decided to model an ideal interior space. This unit was a “Toronto-affordable” $2,900 CAD per month. While I’m no longer in the market for a commercial unit, I did keep the initial 3D model of the floor plan and decided to expand on its design.

This is a 49.4 sqm (550 sqft) office space, measuring 7.6 by 6.5 m (25 x 22 ft), and 13 ft (4 m) high from floor to ceiling. The initial floorplan was essentially one big room with a bathroom and kitchen. White walls, concrete floors, and bare brick dominated the aesthetic. I wanted to keep the position of the bathroom and kitchen, as well as the brick and beam look because that’s “in”.

Assuming the space would be used by a small production company that does the same work that I do, there were some key elements that needed to be included. The first was offering multiple desk spaces for animators, editors, and VFX artists. The next was creating a head office for meetings and work. A dedicated edit bay and a workspace for camera rigging was also necessary. In essence, I created a space for myself.

This is the result.

At the front of the unit, there’s a small “living” area meant for watching movies, Mario Kart tournaments, screening cuts, and lunch, I guess. To round out the furniture, there’s a Dot acacia round accent table and a Cavett loveseat sofa in espresso and walnut on a Rodrigo rug. The Cavett sofa is one of my favourite sofas and you’ll see it wherever I can put it. The Dot table combos well with the sofa in smaller areas since the thin, tall legs create more visual room. The wood tones also pair really well with the rest of the space.

The kitchenette is quite small and narrow but with the an included SharkNinja deluxe coffee maker, Secura single burner, and an integrated microwave, it offers more than enough to keep you awake during long edits heat up some meal prep, or if you’re insane, boil eggs. There’s also a full-sized sink and 4.4 cubic ft fridge. Claro walnut wood is treated to enhance the grain and make up the cabinet doors. Marble in both black and white are used extensively to create a more elegant space.

In the middle of the unit is the centerpiece of the office space: a custom designed workbench serving three functions. The first is as a workstation to build out camera rigs, repair equipment, and setting up gear. The second function is as a storage space to hold camera gear and related tech. It also acts as a third “desk” with two stools on one side of the deep counter, allowing for someone on a laptop to sit and work.

The tabletop measures 2.4 m long by 0.7 m wide (7.9 ft by 2.3 ft) and is made of solid black walnut. The rest of the table is made of alternating tones of black oak and willow. Rose tinted brass handles and supports help round out the construction.