Sitting atop Dubbeldam Architecture?s own offices, a community-oriented co-working suite offers a ?third space? for start-up businesses and locals working from home. Photo by Scott Norsworthy
Like many architects whose portfolio includes commercial office design, Heather Dubbeldam spent a good deal of last year speculating on the future of the workplace. But the stakes were higher for Dubbeldam?who not only designs offices for others, but also owns her own office space?along with owning and operating a coworking space called Lokaal (Dutch for local).
Just before the pandemic, Dubbeldam Architecture + Design acquired and renovated a three-storey brick building on Toronto?s busy St. Clair West, transforming the graffiti-ridden corner property into a mixed-use creative hub. Besides their own offices and coworking space, each of which occupies a full floor, the building contains a ground-floor marketing agency and indie coffee shop, as well as a residential unit in a raised basement. Many of these spaces emptied out when the pandemic hit. Luckily, the marketing agency?s work remained stable, and they even renewed their lease mid-pandemic. But only one of Lokaal?s members?a building envelope consultant, with a staff of four?stayed put. ?They had the whole floor to themselves,? says Kevin McIntosh, Dubbeldam?s business and life partner.
Dubbeldam, McIntosh, and their seven staff all returned to their office in August, as soon as everyone was fully vaccinated. They have also seen...