Guest Centre

Conceptual design for a welcoming space where CMHA clients, whether first-time visitors or program participants, feel welcome, invited, and a sense of belonging.

The design creates a warm, coffee-shop-like atmosphere that encourages connection while remaining flexible to changing needs. Different seating types support different interactions: comfortable armchairs for small conversations, high round tables for spontaneous gathering, a large island where many can gather on both sides, and a living room setup for group discussions.

Particular care went into shaping a space that holds people gently. For visitors arriving in moments of vulnerability, every design choice considered how the environment could welcome them in and meet them where they are. Multiple seating options offer a sense of choice and agency, allowing each person to find the spot that feels right, whether that means joining a group, settling into a quiet corner, or remaining on the edge to observe before engaging. Sightlines stay open and clear, so people can see the room, the exits, and each other, supporting a felt sense of safety and orientation. Pathways flow freely, with no bottlenecks or forced routes, so anyone can move, sit, shift, or leave at any moment, knowing they are always invited to return. Soft textures, warm materials, rounded forms, and inviting lighting replace the institutional cues so often found in service spaces, signalling instead: you are welcome here, exactly as you are.

Sound masking allows private conversations alongside group activities while softening train noise. Mature indoor trees add softness, improve acoustics, and create a calming presence throughout the room.

The design intent behind this space supported CMHA's successful grant application, which received maximum funding. Within three months of opening, the Guest Centre saw a 70% increase in clients.

The School

A casual learning centre that adapts from small intimate gatherings to large open sessions. A former hallway becomes a social kitchenette, turning a transitional zone into a place of pause and connection. Nesting chairs and flip-top tables tuck away for easy reconfiguration. A nature mural brings the outdoors in where living plants cannot thrive, offering the nervous system a place to rest. Colours stay slightly lighter and sharper than the Guest Centre, calibrated to support focus and the energy of learning.

Planning & Evaluation Space

A professional and nurturing workspace for the staff who shape CMHA's programming. Demountable walls allow the layout to evolve as the team's needs change. Diverse work zones invite different modes of thinking: standard desks for focused tasks, lounge seating for softer conversations, and high tables for stand-up collaboration. Nesting tables and chairs on casters move with the rhythm of the day. Glass walls double as writable surfaces. A compact kitchenette serves staff and visitors, holding the small daily rituals that sustain a working team.

Services: Conceptual Design, Space Planning