Gooderham & Worts

A competition entry looking for ways to reinvigorate a former tank shed that had been used for distilling whisky spirits, in what has become Toronto’s gentrified Distillery District.  The proposal embraces the gritty heritage structure, working around existing masonry walls, steel columns and former brewing vats.  The large warehouse is repurposed as artists’ gallery and workspace, taking advantage of the high volume to add mezzanine catwalks overlooking the activity below.  Rotating resident artists would be provided with small mobile caravans – modelled after Emily Carr’s own portable “Elephant” studio – which they could reside in either on or off site.  A subterranean spa and an overhead bar and grill would ensure they were sustained body and soul.  A green roof would weave around existing skylights to accommodate private studios and a crystalline audio chamber – along with an active urban farm.