Scott & Scott Architects has completed a 14,000-square-foot atelier for denim label Purple Brand in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. The workspace occupies two floors of a 1973 warehouse, anchored by a striking board-formed concrete staircase that curves through the centre of the space.
The designers leaned into the industrial character of the existing structure, treating the raw concrete staircase as the project's sculptural centerpiece. This approach reflects a broader trend in contemporary studio design where circulation elements transcend mere function to become defining architectural statements.
The project sits within Vancouver's evolving creative quarter, where established fashion and design companies increasingly inhabit repurposed warehouse districts rather than purpose-built commercial towers. Purple Brand, known for its premium denim offerings, joins a growing roster of apparel brands that treat their production spaces as extensions of their aesthetic vision.
The concrete intervention speaks to a design philosophy gaining traction across North America's creative hubs. Where corporate environments once hid mechanical systems and circulation, contemporary studios celebrate them. The board-formed finish, with its tactile imprints and weathered appearance, echoes the industrial heritage of the building while providing visual continuity between floors.
Scott & Scott Architects, based in Vancouver, has built a reputation for thoughtful interventions in heritage structures. Their approach here avoids cosmetic overlay in favour of honest material expression. The staircase becomes a wayfinding device and sculptural anchor simultaneously, organizing the open-plan atelier while commanding visual attention.
This strategy reflects the current market reality for creative companies. Talented employees and collaborators increasingly expect workspaces that reflect brand values and design integrity. A functional but uninspired staircase would underperform; this one signals that Purple Brand takes design seriously at every scale, from the stitching on a jean to the architecture of the space where garments are conceptualized and produced.
THE TAKEAWAY: Forward-thinking fashion brands now understand that studio design functions as brand communication, making architectural choices visible investments in company culture.