Roy Street, Kitchener
Working with RFB Development, Retrospect Creative aims to preserve and restore the original architectural character of this unique building which has remained an integral part of the historical context of the community.
The Project
The proposal for 27 Roy Street seeks to transform the building into a multi-use dwelling containing both residential apartments and working studio & gallery space for local artists. As a historically significant property, Retrospect Creative will work to preserve the integrity of the existing structure while improving the function of the space in order to for it to fulfill the current needs of the community.
The intent of the redevelopment of 27 Roy Street is to bring together residential, cultural and commercial uses in order to provide a sense of community and create an innovative and vibrant experience for visitors – one that has the potential to become a model of how future urban redevelopment projects can be undertaken.
The Vision
The vision for the interior space is a unique combination of postmodernism and Victorian decorative arts. Though popular in different centuries, both styles celebrate heavy ornamentation, bold colours and an assortment of shapes. The overall aesthetic is to be rooted in a Victorian style, filled with eclectic wallpapers and ample gallery space but expressed in a vein similar to the iconic Memphis design group. Though most of their work was based on minimalism, they embraced colour and abstract decoration incorporating asymmetrical shapes that were thought to allude to exotic or earlier styles. Since the two styles were features of different eras, they are seldom appreciated as complementary to each other. However, both styles are deeply rooted in being flashy and extravagant, embracing bold colours and decorative ornamentation which will be a feature throughout 27 Roy Street. The intersection of these two distinct styles will immediately contribute to the overall experience that will be felt by anyone who enters the space.
Check back for more photos and details as the project develops; project details can also be found at : https://www.rfbdevelopment.com/27roy