Boulevard

Boulevard was developed for +Halle in response to a brief given to three design studios – the other two being Form Us With Love and Nick Ross - all of which were asked to contribute different interpretations on the theme of 'dwelling'. MSDS worked from the observation that our lifestyles are increasingly active and that public furniture is being used in different ways. We responded by designing a piece intended to facilitate movement, contemplation, and sociability. The resulting minimal modular perch-height bench system can be configured to the space its in and accommodates a wide range of both work and social activities.

Manufacturer

+Halle

Year

2019
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Aluminum Group

ALUMINUM GROUP presents 15 designers from across Canada who have come together to create a collection of machined aluminum objects, including both practical prototypes and pieces of sculpture, unified by a single medium

Exhibition

Aluminum Group

Year

2020
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Early Bird

Early Bird wanted a cafe space that would be both functional and dynamic while retaining the easy-going atmosphere on which they built their brand. As such, the design for their second location, situated in a below ground network of retail spaces in Toronto known as the PATH, was meant to bisect the floor plan programatically. The primary space is intended to accommodate a high volume of customers, and hosts the powder-coated service counter that sits directly adjacent to the entrance. This area is dressed in cool tones denoting efficiency and competence. The secondary space, located to the immediate right of the entrance, creates a sanctuary for those in need of respite, separating the seating area from commuter foot traffic by a wood-clad partition and plants. The warm materials and colours in this area compliment the rounded forms found throughout the space and invite a sense of cafe culture into what would otherwise be a utilitarian grab-and-go cafe.

Client

EARLY BIRD

Area Calculation

1, 570 sq. ft.

Year Completed

2018
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Grommet Bin

Grommet’s ring shaped lid holds a plastic liner in place by pinching it to the body of the bin. It entirely hides the plastic bag, keeping the exterior of the piece tidy. The key to this design’s functionality is that the bin liner only needs to be pinched in a few places, making relining the bin a simple and quick task.

Year

2018

Exhibition

Furnishing Utopia
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Ware Lamp

The Ware lamp is a one-piece slipcast light that explores the formal plasticity of stoneware. The interior volume of the reflector component, derived from pottery forms, showcases the material surface with reflected light and gives the piece a sense of dimension.

Year

2016
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Level Daybed

Sawhorses have become valued by designers for their unelaborated form, their sturdiness, and their practicality. They're improvisational and dependable; used to help order a space or workflow. The Level daybed uses this iconic form in the simplest arrangement possible - a sheet laid across a pair, topped with a mattress. The details elevate this simple whole: the rectilinear mattress is made from supple leather, while the wood components are proportioned and detailed for the domestic environment. This piece takes its name from a symmetry between the domestic and work environments: Level, in both, is a generally sought-after condition.

Manufacturer

Woud

Year

2015
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Junction 59

Junction 59, an integrated advertising agency, with its roots dating back to 1959 is now located in the historic Tower Automotive building. We leaned towards an explicit materiality. The building housing this office was built as an aluminum sheet-casting and car parts factory, so it has thick, coarsely poured concreted floors and great flanged concrete columns. In deference to these unique conditions we left as much of the envelope as possible untouched, and instead worked to complement its rawness with other Natural textures: leather, wood, particle board, and terrazzo, with some aluminum details to speak to its history

Client

JUNCTION59

Area Calculation

14,000 sq.ft

Year Completed

2018
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Decent Step Stool

Household chores often require getting to out-of-reach places for cleaning, changing a lightbulb, or accessing storage. The Decent stool serves this purpose and when not in use nests to become a two-tiered side table. It’s a piece that is constantly useful and, in its ability to replace two objects, genuinely Minimalist.

Exhibition

Furnishing Utopia

Year

2018
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AESOP

'Place & Thing' is a group of lighting objects that explore rituals of personal care, scent manufacture, and domestic objects. Each item is abstracted from a thing found in the home. Closer inspection will reveal a ladle, mirror, bowl, cupboard, mortar and pestle, basin, and, in the front window, a landscape. The items are made in wood – some sandblasted to accentuate the natural grain – and a range of materials, colours, and forms taken from Aesop products. The group comprises a domestic tableau that synthesizes Aesop and MSDS Studio's shared interest in space, material, and experience.

Client

Aesop

Collection

'Place & Thing'

Year

2018
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Annular Light

The cone shaped Annular pendant began as an exploration of spun metal lights with multiple diffusers (think Poul Henningsen), but with relatively recent LED tech incorporated in order to open up the possibility of forms that wouldn't previously have been achievable. A cone assembly composed of two offset identical spun cone parts was arrived at, the void between them filled by LED strip and a lens. The effect is both familiar and new, combining a classic pendant form with a ring-shaped lightsource.

Manufacturer

WOUD

Year

2015
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LIVE WORK

This collection of objects is a response to the dissolving boundary between our work and private lives. On one hand, the workflow in offices has become more flexible and their design more domestic. On the other hand, the home – because of technology and the rise of freelance work, etc – has become more like the office. We approached the problem with concern for both functionality and meaning. We designed useful things, like a multifunctional work cart and a reconfigurable shelf, that address some of the needs of the workplace and home, while ensuring that the pieces also spoke a formal vocabulary sympathetic to both contexts. But we also worked to ensure that the pieces spoke a formal vocabulary of both contexts. The forms, materials, and idealism of Mid-century workplace design provided a starting place for this collection.

Year

2017
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Halves Side Table

HALVES’ distinctive rounded edges showcase precision, while the seamless joints help to construct the asymmetric body. The second level shelving allows the table to transform simply by placing it at various angles. This provides the ability to highlight a complex, yet uncluttered profile.

Manufacturer

MUUTO

Year

2016
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J&J Studio Sofa

The J&J Studio Sofa utilizes a curved metal frame to form an elegant bend along the back, while also doubling as the structure from where the privacy panel can be mounted.

Manufacturer

Nienkamper

Year

2019
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Flùr

Flùr uses readily available sheet materials, linoleum and particle board, to form a soft and neutral backdrop for seasonal flower arrangements and ceramic wares. The pliable properties of linseed oil linoleum are manipulated to form an inviting landscape within the existing envelope, while particleboard is applied in a refined manner to express its visual tactility.

Client

FLUR

Year completed

2017
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Surround Lounge Chair

The Surround Lounge Chair was designed to create a semi enclosed versatile seat for children constantly exploring and repositioning to suit their whims. We envisioned a cozy space to read, have a snack or just play!

Manufacturer

Pupupula

Year

2021
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Eaves Table

We’re turning the tables on the desk. Work time or meal time, Eave is a dual-purpose “table-desk” — making it the consummate multitasker.

Manufacturer

Dims

Year

2019
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Common Good

Common Good evolved from the primitive act of storytelling and the natural landscapes which played host to this ritual. Through materials and spatial arrangements, an architectural expression took form that was organized to promote collaboration and connectivity.

Client

COMMONGOOD

Area Calculation

4,000 sq. ft.

Year Completed

2012
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Ancestor Chair

The Ancestor lounge chair is based on an ancestor to the Windsor chair from the mid 1600's. The referenced chair predates the formalization of the Windsor into a type and was designed/made with easy of fabrication in mind. It was spare in its use of parts and connections, and was made of simple component parts. We found the chair contemporary-feeling and succinct, and the homage to it that we designed retains all of its major elements and much of its character.

Year

2016
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Stock Table

The Stock table uses stock steel elements as its starting point. It presents metal in a raw and deconstructed way while retaining a delicate quality. The table’s unconventional leg arrangement emphasizes the material’s strength and produces an interesting configuration. The negative spaces – the airy open area under the table top and the triangle between the angled legs – come from embracing asymmetry and disregarding the traditional arrangement of table legs.

Manufacturer

Normann Copenhagen

Year

2015
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Two Table

These three tables are similar in dimension but are rendered in different materials - one in aluminum, one in wood, one in composite sheet. The character of each material drives the design of the table made from it. They comprise an atypical trio in that they're related only broadly through form, but more essentially through a shared attitude toward material.

Year

2016
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Study Light

The study light is a simple light intended for the office, den, or bedroom. Its shell is made of a single cast metal part and is both evocative of iconic task lighting and resolutely domestic.

Manufacturer

WOUD

Year

2016
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Shopify

Shopify's main product is an e-commerce platform that allows producers and retailers to sell their wares online. The design of the office is built on the metaphor of the mechanisms of contemporary commerce: the front office block and reception area are the Market, the rear office is shipping and transport, while the third floor, currently under development, will be production and fabrication.

client

SHOPIFY

Area Calculation

18,000 sq. ft.

Year Completed

2014
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Half Cab

Half Cab derives its name from the fact that the doors cover half of the area of the cabinet face, providing equal parts concealment and display. The doors are made of painted aluminum and are designed to drape over and slide easily along the scaffolding-like frame.

Manufacturer

Bruunmunch

Year

2015
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Tape Dispenser

The eccentric handled form of this tape dispenser is a reference to packing tape guns. The handle permits it to sit in desktop organizer or on the desktop itself. It is both a functional office tool and a sculptural object for display that draws attention to everyday office technologies.

Year

2015
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Spin

‘Spin Toronto’ took inspiration from nostalgic memories of summer camp. The hyper-stylized interior exploits bold colors and natural materials as an abstract representation of ubiquitous elements – cabins and canteens, lakes and forests.

Client

SPIN TORONTO

Area Calculation

12,000 sq. ft.

Year Completed

2011
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Ladder Light

‘Ladder Light’ takes its inspiration from jewelry: conceptualizing light as decorative and expressive, rather than utilitarian. Hung on a wall like a necklace on skin, its natural palette and simple form echo the feminine quality of the fixture's soft light.

Manufacturer

WOUD

Year

2013
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Pleated Planters

The pleated series was developed as a collaboration with MSDS for Umbra Shift's inaugural line. It's comprised of a tall vase, short dish, and self-watering planter. The surface of each cast ceramic vessel has a smooth bottom portion and a texture on top reminiscent of gears or doric columns.

Manufacturer

Umbra Shift

Year

2014
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MSDS Studio produces design that engages contemporary culture while adhering to the abiding principles of good design and the inheritance of craftsmanship. Their work synthesizes considerations of material, form, space, and brief into resolved works of interior, furniture, and lighting design. This multidisciplinarity informs the resourcefulness that is the hallmark of their practice. MSDS believes that interior space should act as a stimulating yet intimate interface between human and building.

MSDS is committed to ensuring that their design is executed as intended. They remain closely involved at every stage of a project's development, and embrace the iterative, collaborative process that leads to good built work. Through prototyping and small batch production MSDS has developed an exceptional ability to collaborate with both builders and fabricators, as well as the tools to exploit manufacturing technologies in the service of innovative, viable forms.

MSDS works with with clients and manufacturers in Scandinavia, U.S., and Canada.

Selected Clients:

+Halle

Selected Clients:

Aesop

Selected Clients:

Museum Of Contemporary Art

Selected Clients:

Muuto

Selected Clients:

Good thing

Selected Clients:

New Works

Selected Clients:

Woud

Selected Clients:

Normann Copenhagen

Selected Clients:

Nienkamper

Selected Clients:

bensen

Selected Clients:

Shopify

Selected Clients:

Phi Centre

Selected Clients:

Flúr

Selected Clients:

House of Anansi Press

Selected Clients:

TAS Design Build

Selected Clients:

Agency 59

Selected Clients:

Neighbourhood Studios

Selected Clients:

Pi Co

Selected Clients:

Earlybird Coffee & Kitchen

Selected Clients:

Pilot Coffee Roasters

Selected Clients:

Spin Toronto

Selected Clients:

Common Good

Selected Clients:

Bruunmunch

Selected Clients:

Umbra Shift

About

Projects

2021

Wallpaper* – champion diversity in design

2021

CANADIAN ARCHITECT – Finalists Announced for Volvo Cars’ The New Garage Design Challeng

2021

Dezeen – The Dezeen guide to bio-based materials in architecture, design and interiors

2021

Designlines – MSDS Studio Fashions a Minimal Flagship for Outclass Attire

2021

SHARP MAGAZINE – 10 Canadian Lighting Designers Making Waves Around the World

2020

MAARKET – INSIGHT by Takahiro Tsuchida

2020

AZURE – Why Volvo Wants You to Redesign the Garage

2020

Wallpaper* – 15 Canadian design talents test the boundaries of aluminium

2020

Dezeen – 10 diverse designs made from machine-cut aluminium

2020

Globe and Mail – Designing Canada 2020

2020

Design Milk – Aluminum Group by MSDS Studio and Jamie Wolfond

2020

AZURE – What Can You Do With Aluminum? According To These Canadian Designers, Quite A Lot

2020

Business of Home – Toronto’s population is on the rise. So is its design scene

2020

Sight Unseen – A New Exhibition Puts a Spotlight on the Growing Canadian Design Scene

2020

Financial Times – Aluminium Group at Erin Stump Projects

2019

Financial Times – Interiors round-up: the best daybeds

2019

OnOffice – Scandi Cool

2019

Architectural Digest – The Linoleum Renaissance Is Upon Us, and Earth Is a Fan

2019

Leibal – Boulevard by MSDS Studio

2019

Dezeen – Agency 59 office by MSDS celebrates "rawness" of historic Toronto car factory

2019

Designlines – MSDS Studio Fashions a Minimal Flagship for Outclass Attire

2019

AZURE – MSDS Studio Crafts a Contemporary Yet Classic Office

2019

Design Milk – Eave Table by M-S-D-S Studio

2019

Sight Unseen – Saturday Selects

2019

IDSA – IDEA 2019 Jury

2019

Design Milk – Bonner also chose to incorporate furnishings designed by female designers that also think outside the box, like Ray Eames, Jessica Nakanishi of M-S-D-S Studio

2018

Opumo Magazine – My Life In Design: MSDS Studio

2018

Sharp Magazine – This-Century Modernism

2018

Leibal – Level Daybed by MSDS Studio

2018

Azure Magazine – Furniture Debuts at NYC x DESIGN

2018

DEZEEN – Early Bird Cafe

2018

Wallpaper* – Co-working space in Copenhagen

2018

normann copenhagen journal – MSDS STUDIO for Normann Copenhagen

2018

Azure – Nienkämper Reveals its New Furniture Launches at NeoCon 2018

2018

Designlines – 5 Toronto Design Studios With Global Reach

2018

DEZEEN – MSDS Studio illuminates Aesop store

2018

AZURE – The 10 Best Things at Toronto Design Week 2018

2018

THE GLOBE AND MAIL – Globe Style

2017

Wallpaper* City Guide Toronto – Design Insiders

2017

SHARP MAGAZINE – The Holiday Gifts Sharp's Staff Wants Most This Year

2017

Nest.Co.UK – MSDS: Lagom, strangeness and new design

2017

THE Globe and Mail – How Shopify’s office designs drive productivity

2017

Canadian Interiors – 2017 Best of Canada

2017

House & Home – Why Design Lovers Are Falling For Toronto Flower Shop Flùr

2017

AZURE – Retail Feature

2017

Retail Insider – Illesteva Opens 1st Canadian Store

2017

Trend Bible – As Featured In Trend Bible Spring Summer 2018

2017

The New York Times – Shopping for Low Stools

2017

Wallpaper* – MIGHTY SOAKS

2017

Le Vif L’Express – Le Canada Sort Du Bois

2017

AZURE – 30 Canadian Product Designers Leading the Charge

2017

AZURE – 30 Canadian Interior Design Studios Making Their Mark

2017

House Notes – Five to See with Sight Unseen

2017

TAS – Profile: MSDS Studio

2017

The New York Times – Aluminum stool by MSDS Studio

2017

Dezeen – Toronto flower shop by MSDS Studio

2017

Leibal – Flùr by MSDS Studio

2017

milk decoration – La nouvelle vague Canadienne

2017

wallpaper* – CANADA

2017

ELLE Decor France – Les superstars de La déco en 2017 : Les plantes !

2017

ICON Magazine Issue #168 – Milan Round Up

2017

sight unseen – The Best of the 2017 Milan Furniture Fair

2017

Design Milk – Good Thing Expands to Include Furniture, Lighting, and Rugs

2016

Toronto Life – Toronto’s best architects and designers right now

2016

Wallpaper* – Black magic: we're escaping to a better place with illusions of grandeur

2016

Architonic – MSDS Studio Profile

2016

Techvibes – Killer Spaces: Shopify Toronto's Brick and Beam Masterpiece

2016

ffffound – Assembly Rack - 10 Canadian Designers

2016

Wallpaper* – W House

2016

Ignant – The Simple Aesthetics of MSDS Studio

2016

Sight Unseen – Saturday Selects

2016

Toronto Life – Inside Shopify’s Toronto office

2016

This is Paper – Contemporary Design with a sensibility of Craftsmanship

2016

Yatzer – The Highlights of Stockholm Design Week 2016

2016

Dezeen – MSDS Studio combines wood, aluminum and ceramics for Source Materials collection

2016

DWELL – People

2016

Wallpaper* – Stockholm Furniture Fair 2016: hot seats, young guns and the new Nordic guard

2016

Formagramma – Ware Lamp: MSDS Studio

2016

Design Milk – Home Furnishings That Explore Materials and Form

2016

Azure – 11 Furniture Launches To See at Stockholm Furniture Fair

2016

Milk Decoration – La Design Week de Toronto

2016

The Globe and Mail – What room inspires you the most?

2016

Fashion Magazine – The up-and-coming interior designers you need to know about

2015

Frame – Take Two: Toronto-based M-S-D-S Studio builds rich interiors − and tactile products − based on imagery and idiom

2015

Design Milk – M-S-D-S Studio Tape Dispenser

2015

Travel + Leisure – The Modest Metropolis

2015

Nordic Design Review – WOUD at northmodern

2015

Financial Times London – Canadian design: Nordic by nature

2015

Azure – Toronto's Next Generation: MSDS Studio

2015

Sight Unseen – Up and Coming: Toronto's MSDS Studio

2015

RUM – I fokus Mars 2015

2015

Leibal – Shopify Toronto

2015

On Office – M-S-D-S trades on Shopify's shipping links

2015

Dezeen – MSDS Studio presents simple furniture and lighting collection in Stockholm

2015

Sidewalk Hustle – Five Things We Loved at IDS 2015

2014

Mashable – Shopify's Toronto office is way cooler than yours

2014

Stockholmsmässan – Emerging Design Stars in Greenhouse

2014

Hypebeast – Inside Shopify's Toronto Headquarters

2014

Dezeen – Shopify offices by MSDS Studio feature meeting rooms designed to look like shipping containers

2014

Drake General Store – House Party: Meet M-S-D-S Studio

2014

Nykyinen Design & Co. – MSDS Studio: Nykyinen around a project

2014

Metropolis – The Metropolis Guide to Emerging Design Neighbourhoods

2014

Umbra Shift Blog – Closer Look: MSDS Studio's Pleated Planters

2014

Block Magazine – Japanese scaffolding inspires Toronto designer Jonathan Sabine to rethink the clothing rack

2014

fshnunlimited – In the Vanguard: Toronto's creative leaders cast a brilliant light on local talent and their inspiring success

2014

The New York Times – Reaching Back for Its Design Cred

2014

La Presse – Toronto: Vague créative

2014

Moco Loco – NYCxDesign 2014 Preview: Umbra Shift

2014

NOW Toronto – What I Bought: A creative approach to condo shopping and design

2014

YLighting – Interior Design Show 2014, Toronto: MSDS Studio + Foscarini

2014

Azure – The Best of Toronto Design Week

2014

NOW Toronto – Shopping the Show

2014

Studio Beat – Studio Visit: MSDS

2014

Canadian Design Resource – Designers To Watch 2014

2013

Design Milk – Ladder Light by MSDS Studio

2013

Wallpaper* – Global Interiors

2013

Leibal – 60 Pendant

2013

Interni – Parti a Parte

2013

IIDEX Canada – Shiny Pretty Things Spotlight: Jessica Nakanishi

2013

Designlines – Hang Time

2013

Abduzeedo – Beautiful Interior Design Works by Jessica Nakanishi

2013

Poppytalk – Interview with Jonathan Sabine

2013

designboom – The Ladder Light by Jessica Nakanishi

2013

Moco Loco – TODesignOffsite 2013: Bento Box Plates by Jessica Nakanishi

2013

Toronto Design Offsite Festival – 2013 Award Winners - Juror's Choice

2012

Toronto Standard – The Collective Bargaining of Creative Success

2012

Toronto Life – Introducing: A-OK Foods, a new ramen and snack bar from the owners of Yours Truly

2011

Designlines – Carte Blanche

2011

blogTO – SPiN Toronto

2010

Wallpaper* – Toronto Design Week 2010

Press Inquires:

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