WZMH Architects Celebrates 65 Years, Redesigns Toronto Studio with Views of Landmark CN Tower
TORONTO – WZMH Architects, the firm renowned for designing Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, is marking its 65th anniversary with the completion of a comprehensive redesign of its Toronto studio. Located at 95 St. Clair Ave. W., the space was originally designed by the firm in the late 1960s and has undergone its first major renovation in over three decades.
The redesign encompasses approximately 75% of the 15th-floor office, accommodating the firm’s 120+ members. The renovated space features several key elements designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and a connection to the firm’s rich history.
Collaborative Hubs and Social Spaces
The studio now boasts east and west studios flanking a central lounge, offering panoramic city views, including direct sightlines to the CN Tower and other landmarks designed by WZMH Architects. This central lounge serves as the “social heart” of the office, facilitating client meetings, firm-wide gatherings, and in-house learning sessions through the WZMH Academy.
Innovation and Research
Dedicated to forward-thinking design, the studio includes a specialized Research & Development (R&D) lab, known as the Sparkbird Lab, alongside flexible hoteling desks to support diverse work styles.
A Nod to Design Heritage
The redesign thoughtfully incorporates elements of design history, featuring chairs by Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier, originally selected by founding Principal Boris Zerafa. A painting by his brother, Ronald Zerafa, further anchors the space in the firm’s legacy.
Modern Materials and Design Aesthetics
The renovated studio blends minimalism with high-tech modernity through the use of materials like a Barcelona Pavilion-inspired black porcelain feature wall, extruded aluminum panels, and adaptable furnishings. An enlarged kitchen and servery area further enhance the studio’s functionality.
WZMH Architects originally conceived the CN Tower as a telecommunications tower, but it quickly evolved into a landmark and major tourist attraction, drawing over two million visitors annually. [1] In 1995, the American Society of Civil Engineers recognized the CN Tower as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. [1] The tower, completed in 1976, stands at 553 meters (1,815 feet) tall. [2]