Video: GO Figure3 | Inspiration 10: HOMEWARD BOUND
It’s easy to feel swept away by the captivating space that is Caivan’s new presentation centre in Oakville Ontario.
Dominic De Freitas
When looking to reimagine the sales and décor experience, Caivan engaged Figure3 to help streamline the physical space, and reduce the stresses often associated with purchasing a new home.
As you approach the Caivan Oakville presentation centre, set within a charming condo community in Oakville, ON., the stunning picture window showcases the inspiration found within. The space, which houses both Caivan’s sales and décor centres, features smooth linear lines and a calm, gallery like atmosphere.
Cleverly designed for an easy transition to open event space, the “L” shaped floorplan features zones for pre-and-post-sale activities, encouraging exploration and discovery and designed to minimize the stress associated with purchasing a new home. Centered by a welcoming reception area, two distinct zones extend from the sleek modern white desk; a sales centre to the left, and full size vignettes to the right. This design evolution provides a seamless and connected experience with natural flow while allowing for equal attention to be given to each of the spaces.
Visible through the front glass façade and creating intrigue from the street, an opulent kitchen vignette showcases the incredible level of finishing and detail that buyers can expect from a Caivan home. Layered in rich woods, with dark veined marble and stunning brushed gold details, the kitchen provides buyers the opportunity to visualize themselves in the possibilities, and get excited about the journey to come.
In the sales center, floor-to-ceiling metal frames house oversized graphics to exhibit select Caivan developments. When the internal panels are removed from the frames, the fixed metal skeletons allow the space to open-up, leaving unencumbering arc-like structures that add interest without impacting the flow. This flexibility provides ample space to host buyers, while also facilitating the evolution of marketing material as new projects become available.
Adjacent the kitchen, a bathroom vignette is set against sliding glass doors that give-way to the design centre, where buyers will “shop” a retail-like presentation of fixtures and finishes. The visual and tactile showcase within the space creates a truly inspired journey, where guests are encouraged to discover and create their dream home.
With nods to residential design, warm materials and finishes are incorporated throughout and establishes a familiar note with buyers while providing inspiration. “It’s a nice jumping off point and gets buyers excited because it shows them what their own personal space could look like” states Dominic
De Freitas, Principle, Figure3.
Throughout the design centre, raised and elongated communal worktables are strategically placed to display the buyer’s individually curated selection of finishes on a velvet a-frame, reminiscent of a vision board. Hidden drawers contain additional design options that add to the discovery-based journey while adhering to the streamlined feel of the space and reducing excess visual stimuli. Open jewel-cases and pull-out panels also help to maintain the clean lines.
“We learned that it often feels overwhelming to make so many design decisions, when it should be fun and exciting” notes De Freitas. “We drew on these emotional cues when implementing the element of discovery and removing the excess stimuli in order to reframe the experience into a creative and
exciting one for the buyer.”
Equipped to thrive in today’s hybrid environment, interactive screens at select worktables support the height and angles required to view materials and digitally interact with buyers in a way that mimics the experience of an in-person appointment. These same screens allow for easy reference to digital material as needed to support the design process.
The Caivan Oakville presentation centre is a truly multifunctional space that captures the versatility and innovation of the communities that they develop. Based on the success of the presentation centre, Caivan is set to roll out multiple locations in cities across Canada modelled on the Oakville design. There was pressure to get it right, to ensure it speaks not only to Caivan’s various projects, but the entire brand. “When you are invited into these clients’ inner circles to help curate and create something for them, it’s quite an honour. This is exactly the kind of project that we love doing,” says De Freitas.
