When an iconic contemporary art gallery moves out of a much-loved red brick complex in downtown Toronto, how can you create an even more modern complex that’s steeped in heritage values? We were asked by the urban developer, Hullmark, to create a base-build for the site that would answer that question. The new 944-952 Queen West complex is still anchored by a central courtyard while the original red brick buildings on the west and north sides have been restored and repurposed as retail and commercial office space – retaining their architectural heritage and utilizing the carbon intensive structure already in place.
PSP was imagined as a light-filled wood cathedral, lining an otherwise contemporary inconspicuous brick-clad building that blends into the city’s urban fabric. This joint venture by Diamond Schmitt Architects (DSA) and Omar Gandhi Architects (OG) leveraged each firm’s unique strengths.
This new complex at 944-952 Queen Street West maintained the central courtyard of the beloved and recently relocated Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). The scale and materiality of the new and renovated buildings flanking this courtyard establish a modern representation of the city’s 20th century heritage brick buildings found across the city. The new white brick building on the east is home to PSP.
The principal goal at PSP’s interior was to create a timeless space, free of trends, with local, natural materials that develop a patina and continue to enrich the restaurant over time. Designing with wood and light was the starting point for the design. The neutral material palette, comprised primarily of white maple and brass, creates a backdrop for the main act – the unpretentious but exceptional food of cherished Canadian chef Matty Matheson.
