Guelph Pottery // Guelph, ON
Giving new life to an underutilized space.
A formerly under-utilized space, defined by low gridded ceilings and compartmentalized rooms, is transformed into an open, process-driven pottery studio. The existing ceiling grids are removed to reveal the building’s steel web structure, painted white to heighten light and spatial clarity. Partitions are removed to create a flexible plan for diverse studio activities, while the layout follows the sequence of pottery making itself, from throwing and shaping to hand-building, drying, firing, and glazing, allowing work to move intuitively through the space. Natural light reaches deep into the interior, animating each stage of production. With limited resources, the design leverages existing structure and materials to achieve maximum impact, celebrating the structure as an architectural feature and creating a functional, inspiring environment for creativity. ©Fabrik Architects
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Project Type: Renovation
Project Location: West End Community Centre, 21 Imperial Rd S, Guelph
Date Completed: November 2025
Electrical & Mechanical Engineer: McGregor Allsop
Structural Engineer: Witzel Dyce Engineering Inc.
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