Inside Shopify's Toronto Headquarters

Toronto-based design firm MSDS Studio recently completed what looks to be the perfect workspace for e-commerce software creator Shopify. Housed within a 100-year-old warehouse, the Ottawa-based company’s shipping container-inspired Toronto outpost is currently dominated by two distinctly separate spaces — one for offices, the other for a gaming room, cafe, and “war room” meeting area. Accommodating 90 desks in all, the design is highlighted by its reception area — a pop-up shop of sorts that showcases the latest wares from its clients. Said MSDS of the space:

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 or fabrication.