Atelier Sterling

The Atelier Sterling is located in west Toronto along Sterling Rd. Designed in response to the entertainment and cultural environment the site is in, it is a library that transforms. Inspired by Iris Van Herpen and Guo Pei’s use of uncommon materials in their collections such as 3D printing and pineapple leaves, the library includes a sewing studio that focuses on the exploration of unconventional materials in garment making.

As a library, it mostly houses books on fashion and garment making, however a general collection of books are also present for leisure reading. The long central atrium that transforms into a catwalk during a show is open to the public during regular days as a hangout space or as a gallery to showcase local artists’ work. The glass facade invites passersby in whether it be during a fashion show, or just a place to sit in during a hot summer day. It is a transformable library that gathers people together.