Alliance Communications Corporation, a leading Canadian film distribution and production company, selected Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects in an invited design competition for its new head offices in Toronto.

In order to meet the requirements of the client's budget, the design strategy is focused on the creating connection between the three levels of the companies offices, and reinforcing, in the architecture, the Alliance's identity as a leading force in the national film industry.

A thick cherry wood clad wall represents the major feature in the scheme. It creates a conceptual north-south axis that organizes the overall spatial plan to create visual connections to the downtown core to the south and the green landscape of Rosedale, a residential area to the immediate north. The wall rises through three storeys of the office tower and forms a backdrop for orientation and reception.

A generous opening carved from the slab permits views through the three levels and is intersected by a steel and stone stair. The stair facilitates internal circulation and ascends alongside the wall.

The elevator lobbies of the 15th and 16th floors are distinguished by a cleft-faced slate wall that visually lead visitors into the reception areas.

On the 14th floor, a translucent acrylic and aluminum-framed screen separates the public areas from internal staff work spaces.

The company's identity is highlighted through the incorporation of custom-designed frames for movie posters.

Site
121 Bloor Street East
14th, 15th, 16th Floors
Toronto, Ontario

Client
Alliance Communications Corporation

Construction Cost
$2.4 million

Project Team
Bruce Kuwabara (design partner), Shirley Blumberg (partner-in-charge), Karen Cvornyek, David Poloway (project architects), Andrew Dyke, Marco Magarelli

Consultants
Read Jones Christoffersen (structural), Smith & Anderson (mechanical), Mulvey & Banani International (electrical), Suzanne Powadiuk (lighting), Valcoustics (acoustics)