Inco Special Projects, Mississauga, Ont.

Inco Special Products, a subsidiary of the Western World’s largest nickel miner and refiner, wanted to transform its 1960s facility in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga into a corporate research and executive presentation centre.

In this adaptive reuse project, the 8,000-square-foot, 1 1/2-storey space was taken back to the base building, exposing the structural truss and the metal ceiling deck while admitting natural daylight and adding a vertical element to the cramped lobby space. The renovation by Bartlett & Associates added executive offices to the formerly lab-only premises, giving a sophisticated, upscale impression befitting a multinational corporation.

In the reception area, the materials palette reflects Inco and Canadian themes. Maple clads the cantilevered ceiling sector. The slatted canopy and metal detailing throughout features stainless steel, a nickel alloy.

Branding displays were added along the wall of the 180-foot-long, five-foot-wide main corridor to break up its monotony. A backlit, glass and stainless-steel vitrine displays raw forms of nickel (powders, fibres, flakes, foam, oxides, rope, ore). Oversize posters show innovative applications of nickel, such as the Canadarm.

Taylor: The liveliness and the perspective effects in that long corridor are worth paying attention to.

Rock: I admire the detailing on the custom pieces.