planning studio

concept

I designed a new concept for the IKEA for Business & Planning Studio in IKEA Vaughan. We transformed a 660 sqft pop up space into a permanent 6-desk planning studio for various planning and interior design services offered by IKEA. The space is designed to attract a higher-end clientele who is looking to purchase fully designed spaces rather than individual products.

I explored the concept of unfamiliar familiarity. Three design choices were used to create subtle differences while the rest of the project was completed using IKEA’s Scandinavian modern look through familiar colors and materials.

• Round forms in contrast to the rigidness of IKEA’s blue box and rigid paths.

• Sound dampening in contrast to IKEA’s loud family-friendly environment. Achieved using thicker and higher walls, interface carpet and 10mm thick plexiglass on all window openings.

• Integrated lighting on every shelf to achieve that high-end look.

detail

We used 2x4 poplar beams with two coats of Behr - White Wash Pickling interior wood stain to create the exterior slatted walls.

When we first had the 2x4 beams delivered, I hand picked the ones I wanted to use on this project based on the color of the wood, the knots and the straight-ness of each beam. Poplar tends to have a green-ish under-tone and if they’re not treated correctly, they turn orange-y as they age over the years. They easily flip from Scandinavian to cottage country in a few years, therefore, I made sure to hand-stain every single beam with the white wash stain prior to installing them.

Sound

We used 2x6 metal stud construction with two sheets of 1/2” MDF on either sides to try and keep sound out. Everywhere we put the wood beams and windows, we made sure to use 10mm plexiglass to make sure sound couldn’t penetrate the walls. On top of that, we had used commercial carpet flooring to further keep sound insulated rather than using vinyl flooring as we do in most other places in the store.

Millwork Drawings