Work |
Mohawk | Daltile Toronto Showroom
Toronto, Ontario
Reimagining a commercial showroom as a global benchmark for material health, biophilic beauty, and regenerative design.
When Mohawk Group and Daltile joined forces, they saw more than a combined collection of products—they saw an opportunity to redefine what a showroom could be. McLennan Design was brought on to transform a 5,000-square-foot Toronto space into a high-performance, one-of-a-kind destination that embodies ecological intelligence and design excellence.
The goal was ambitious: to create the Greenest Showroom in North America—and perhaps the world. Every decision, from demolition to detailing, reflected this commitment. Materials were carefully deconstructed and salvaged for future use. Every surface and finish was selected for transparency, health, and regenerative impact. The showroom now proudly holds Living Building Challenge Materials Petal Certification and WELL Building Certification, showcasing Red-List Free products, many with Declare Labels.
This project is a bold statement: commercial spaces can be beautiful, functional, and fully regenerative, proving that sustainable design is not a constraint—it’s an opportunity to lead, inspire, and elevate the standard for the built environment.
Mohawk Group + Daltile
Lead Architect
Living Building Challenge Petal Certification 3.0, Well Building Certification
Toronto, Ontario
5,041 SF
2019
Mixedwood Plains Ecozone
Office, Showroom, Adaptive Reuse, Interior Design, Tennant Improvement
Regenerative Design in Action
From careful deconstruction to high-performance systems, the showroom demonstrates that sustainable design can be beautiful, functional, and inspiring. Every decision balances ecological responsibility, human health, and operational performance.
Key Sustainability Measures & Impacts:
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Adaptive Reuse & Deconstruction: Salvaged materials from demolition were reused, reducing waste and embodied carbon.
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100% Red-List Free & Declare-Labeled Materials: All surfaces and finishes were selected for material health, transparency, and regenerative impact.
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Low-Impact Materials: Recycled metals and certified wood prioritized to minimize environmental footprint.
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Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps and heat recovery ventilators improve indoor air quality and reduce energy use.
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Local Sourcing: Regional materials and labor reduced embodied carbon and supported the local economy.
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Biophilic Design Integration: Moss walls, living planters, and daylighting enhance occupant well-being and connection to nature.
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Waste Management: Construction waste was carefully sorted and diverted from landfills, achieving high recycling rates.
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Certifications: Achieved Living Building Challenge Materials Petal Certification and WELL Building Certification.
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Designing Workspaces That Move, Engage, and Connect to Nature
Workstations and offices are oriented for daylight and engagement. Open layouts encourage movement and interaction, while natural light and circulation foster comfort and productivity. Moss walls and living planters invite interaction, connecting employees and visitors to nature.
Nature Moves Through Every Space
Even in a dense urban setting and an existing building, the showroom breathes with nature. Sunlight dances across surfaces, moss walls invite touch, and living planters guide circulation, encouraging interaction and care. Natural materials and textures bring warmth and comfort, while views and daylight connect occupants to the outside world. Every element is intentional, transforming a commercial interior into a space that inspires, uplifts, and reconnects people to the rhythms of life.
The Mohawk + Daltile Toronto Showroom stands among the first commercial interiors in the world to achieve Living Building Challenge certification.
This pioneering adaptive reuse project demonstrates that showrooms can be beautiful, human-centered, and fully regenerative—proof that sustainable design is not a limitation, but a bold opportunity to lead, inspire, and elevate industry standards.
Why This Matters
A Blueprint for Regenerative Reuse
This isn’t just a “green renovation.” It’s a proof of possibility — a demonstration that existing urban interiors, even modest leased spaces with inherited constraints, can be transformed into living, high-performance, regenerative environments. Instead of building new, we chose to elevate what was already here, reducing carbon, minimizing waste, and amplifying impact.
By embracing adaptive reuse, material transparency, and human-centered design, this showroom shows what’s possible when every decision is grounded in ecological intelligence. It proves that commercial interiors can do more than display products — they can model stewardship, restore trust in materials, and invite people into a healthier, more vibrant future.
This project stands as a blueprint for what comes next: build less, heal more, and design with intention.
This adaptive reuse project proves that commercial interiors can be regenerative, vibrant, and high-performing.
McLennan Design transforms existing spaces into benchmarks of beauty, health, and human-centered performance. Let us help your next tenant improvement or renovation become a model for innovation, sustainability, and inspiration.
