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June 8, 2026 | DESIGN & INTERIORS

a SOFTER WORKPLACE

photo Niamh Barry 

Perched on the 18th floor of a downtown Toronto tower, this compact lounge by Studio HA/WA rethinks the atmosphere of the workplace. Designed for a boutique law firm, the 64-square-metre space moves away from the language of the traditional office, drawing instead from hotel lounges, residential interiors and contemporary hospitality.

Curved seating, layered lighting and warm oak surfaces create a softer rhythm throughout, while lounge, dining and kitchen areas retain distinct identities within a cohesive whole.

Materiality sits at the centre of the design. Rift-cut white oak wraps the ceiling beams, millwork and structural columns, paired with porcelain flooring in subtle tonal variations. A full-height Calacatta Gold stone backsplash anchors the kitchen, while muted greens, camel tones and rust-coloured leather bring warmth to the restrained palette. Lighting shifts the mood throughout the day, from the sculptural A-N-D Light Column Pendant to the softer glow of the Malamata Wall Lamp.

 

Custom pieces sit alongside carefully selected contemporary brands, including the Collar Chair by Bensen, marble-based side tables by &Tradition and stools from Design Within Reach. Original works by Toronto artist Alexander Jowett add a more personal layer to the interior.

 

A concealed bar hidden within one of the structural columns captures the project’s overall approach: understated, functional and quietly residential in spirit.

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