Curio

• Type

  Retail

• Location

  Toronto

• Year

  2022

Located in the established suburb of Etobicoke in the GTA, the sales centre aims to appeal to an urban buyer by highlighting all that is on offer in the area. The name ‘Curio’ is a nod to the idea of hidden gems, and while locals may be in the know, those who are new to the area will get an opportunity to learn all that the development and the neighbourhood have to offer.

What one might expect from the exterior is not what is revealed as you walk into the space. Designed as a building within a building, the space offers angled and off-kilter sightlines – instead of straight and linear ones – which creates a sense of surprise and visual interest. Throughout the sales centre, architectural details such as cut-outs, arches and a portal structure provide glimpses into other areas and guide buyers throughout the space.

Bold blocks of colour define different spaces within the sales centre and lead the eye to discover more. Layering the colour blocks throughout the space creates visual interest and aligns with the ‘less but better’ approach.

The use of simple construction materials employed in unique and creative ways also supports the approach of using thoughtful design to create a memorable experience rather than rely on complicated, high-priced and potentially wasteful construction methods.