The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is a 58,000-sq.-ft., 150-person facility promoting health and emergency preparedness for 31 northern Ontario municipalities.

Movement within the rectangular building is expressed by a serpentine lobby wall behind the reception desk, visible through the Douglas fir curtainwall facing the street.

The desk faces a monumental feature wall clad in Adair limestone. Here rises the grand staircase. Wrapping around its base is a long, low bench positioned so as to encourage spontaneous sit-down chats.

To maximize access to daylight, views and operable windows in the open office area, workstations cluster along spines running perpendicular to windows.

The site was chosen not only for its proximity to public transportation, but to bike paths, walkways and to Lake Nipissing and outdoor recreation areas, in keeping with the Health Unit’s objective of promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.

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