ARIDO Award: Trailside Presentation Centre
Located in the beautiful Town of Oakville, Distrikt Trailside was designed to create an elevated lifestyle imbued with fine dining, world-class shopping, lush surroundings and luxury living. To provide a subtle nod to history, Figure3 looked to European boutique hotels, the Victorian era, and brands like Ted Baker who have mastered the art of taking inspiration from the old and modernizing it for a beautiful, timeless piece of work.
Interior Designer: Dominic DeFreitas, ARIDO
Design Firm: Figure3
Design Team: Nadine Burdak, ARIDO; Megan Hayward, Intern, ARIDO
Photographer: Steve Tsai Photography
Elegant yet inviting, the space is a stylish yet relaxed environment, using a fusion of traditional design elements customary to Oakville homes. As the Distrikt Trailside community is a departure from traditional Oakville living, these chic, urban, and fashion-forward design elements help highlight the exclusive, downtown feel of the development, while respecting the timeless, upscale luxury that Oakville is known for.
As guests enter the presentation centre they are immediately immersed in the condo’s elegant and comforting lobby space. From the wall coverings to the furniture, duplicating these elements allows visitors to experience how it will feel to call Distrikt Trailside home.
Just beyond the entry, the speakeasy inspired lounge and bar area unfolds, creating a relaxed, hospitality environment; an ideal solution to appeal to this target demographic and set the mood for a positive sales experience. The long, narrow room was a design challenge, but the installation of a millwork archway between the entry hall and the lounge divides the room into different sections, creating balance within the space.
A working model of the condo’s personal AI assistant is prominently featured beyond the lounge. Housing various elements of the digital application, visitors can interact with the unique interface and experience the exclusive benefits of the AI assistant.
The archway and styled bookcases provide a dramatic threshold between the entrance vestibule and lounge area. This area also features an expansive marble topped bar, as well as tables, chairs, and casual bench seating. Spatially, there is an easy, intuitive transition as guests navigate through the presentation centre and the continuity of finishes helps to create a cohesive environment. The casual bar sets the scene for a low-pressure, sales environment.
As guests pass through the lounge towards the back portion of the space; the sales area unfolds to present the features and finishes, as well as a dedicated sales space.
The bold finishes continue here with more gold faceted tables and black and white marble that add to the sophistication and timelessness of the setting. In carrying the finishing materials through each section of the presentation space, an intuitive path unfolds between each zone, creating continuity and connectivity.
In order to appeal to the upscale buyer, the design team took inspiration from British fashion house Ted Baker. With a bold floral wall application and sophisticated gold and black finishes with dark marble and rich woods, the overall atmosphere is stylish, sophisticated, and reminiscent of an exclusive lounge.
One of the most unique elements of this presentation centre can be found just inside the main display window where the building model sits atop a mechanically pivoting table with the ability to tilt at a 20-degree angle towards the front window. After hours, the angled table is perfectly situated to showcase the impressive table top model; prompting intrigue and driving interest in passers-by.
The presentation centre was fully accessible despite its narrow layout, to ensure that the experience felt equitable to all visitors. Seating considerations and various table heights were also installed to create options for those with mobility specifications.
In partnership with Decanthropy, a leading Toronto-based inclusive design consultancy, Figure3 continues to develop an effective governance model to help prioritize and measure positive and equitable transformation of the places and environments we create. Figure3 is committed to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion; reflected in the project team for Distrikt Trailside’s presentation centre.
The materials palette of the space is another example of understated elegance. As guests enter the space they are greeted with natural elements like wood, metal and marble and a large floral pattern wall treatment that captures the surrounding natural beauty in a visually bold way; introducing a biophilic atmosphere and overall sense of wellness within the presentation centre.
Throughout the lounge, globe-like fixtures create a soft cascade of light, while mirrored wall treatments allow the light to bounce and reflect within the space. The energy continues through in the veining of the marble, and the grain of the woods that help to emphasize a wellness inspired atmosphere filled with life and movement.
As a result, 60% of available units sold within the first month of the sales office opening, and 75% sold (229 of 305 available units) in less than two months, the best-ever sales pace for this developer.
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