Russell Cross ~ Account Services
Madhouse Advertising Inc:
Old City Hall located at 60 Queen West.
Russell’s favourite building is Old City Hall.
“ So, WHY is it your favourite building?”
Russell says he likes it that’s all.
“Wait until you have jury duty or your friend steals a pepperoni stick and you have
to bail him out for 500 dollars.”
Russell ignores her as usual “I just do, it’s plain, simple and traditionally elegant. Say it like that Justine.”
Russell just likes Old City Hall.
Even though Russell “just likes it” this building does have some great history. It was built in 1899, designed by Toronto architect Edward James Lennox who also designed Casa Loma. The building is reportedly haunted as well by the people that were hung there back when Canada had the death sentance. Isn’t that nice.
What is your favourite building?
Margaret Fretas ~ Print Production Manager
Madhouse Advertising Inc:
The Flat Iron Building located at 49 Wellington East.
“I love this quirky wedged shaped building because it looks magical and old
fashioned to me. Nestled at the intersection of Front, Wellington and Church on a
triangular piece of land with its backdrop of city skyscrapers it is by far the most
unique building in the city in my opinion. I can almost picture a horse and carriage
pulling up and a bowler hatted gentleman stepping down and entering the building.”
Built in 1891 by architect David Roberts, Jr. as the business headquarters for the
powerful Gooderham family it has become a Toronto landmark as much for the
building itself as the mural on it’s back wall. The Flatiron Mural by renowned
Canadian artist Derek Michael Besant uses a trompe l’oeil effect to wall appear to
have more windows and gives it a more mobile effect by having its edges ‘fluttering’
away where they are not ‘tacked’ down.
Tune in next week when the head honcho of Madhouse gives us her take and the
final installment of “What’s Your Favourite Building In Toronto?”
What is your favourite building?
Bill Avgerinos ~ Graphic Designer
Madhouse Advertising Inc:
Leslie L. Dan Pharmacy Building
It’s a sunlit cathedral of glass and black granite. It’s a far cry from the cramped maze and winking fluorescent lights of the circa-1960s Russell Street building that the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy currently calls home. The design by architects Foster and Partners of London, England, is nothing short of an esthetic marvel. The panes of glass forming the five-storey atrium are so large they had to be ordered from Luxembourg. Inside the light-filled atrium, two large pods float overhead like smooth white eggs. Inside the larger “egg” is a 60-seat classroom; the smaller one contains a 24-seat computer-training centre.
I always love buildings that stand out. It really adds to a city when you have buildings that resemble art installations. What I like about this building is how they have merged form and function. Although those pods look kick-ass they are also classrooms and have a purpose. It reminds me of OCAD U where I graduated from. People would always look at the tabletop and say to me “What’s in there, do you actually have class up there?” and I replied with “Pretty much all my classes are up there”. That kind of mystery and curiosity that is formed with buildings like these is what interests me the most. I hope that more buildings challenge the mold and break out and surprise us.
What is your favourite building?
Madhouse is full of designers with different views of what’s well designed and what’s not, here’s what we think…
Justine Harrod ~ Art Director
Madhouse Advertising Inc:
The OISE Building (The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) is located at 252 Bloor Street West. An example of Brutalist architecture. Long story short, it’s a whole lot of concrete it’s striking and many think it’s unattractive. I disagree, then again you should see some of the men I’ve dated.
This building conjures up childhood memories of success. This is where I finally learned how to read and overcome my fear of math. I claimed the reason why I could not function in math class was because math gave me migraines… so my childhood math tutor explained math and then every session we would meditate (remember, this was the 70’s)… I was told to visualize all my pain and math angst going into the cement of O.I.S.E… Hence, my affection for cement.
What is your favourite building?
On May 1st, SickKids launched the beginning of a wonderful campaign that got over 400 torontonians to come out and form a giant happy face in Nathan Phillips Square, and the gang at Madhouse was part of it (upper right side of the face)!
What really impressed me was the roll out leading up to the first day of the campaign and the rest of the events planned for May. (To see the event schedule click here)
We had seen some TTC ads that had the phrase “Subway riders become subyaaay riders” as a teaser but with no indication about what they were promoting. The designed happy faces that appeared in that ad resonated and on Tuesday morning on the front and back cover of the metro, the campaign was explained. It was inviting people to come down to Nathan Phillips Square and form this giant happy face, purchase a boxed lunch with proceeds going to SickKids and an overall request to get everyone involved and donating to help children in need. It worked for us and that afternoon we set out to see the campaign in action.
We weren’t sure how big the turn out was going to be but it was strong. The only question we have now is about the results. Did they reach their goal for money raised?
Did you go to this event?
What did you think about the campaign? ‘Do the happy’ website
- Bill Avgerinos { Graphic Designer : Madhouse Advertising Inc. }
Madhouse is full of designers with different views of what’s well designed and what’s not, here’s what we think…
Karen Promm ~ Graphic Designer
Madhouse Advertising Inc:
The Umbra Concept Store: Located at 165 John Street
One of my favorite buildings in Toronto is the Umbra building. This bright little building is located right across the street from us, it represents a level of architectural flare — it’s hot pink— that Toronto has been hesitant to embrace. The building was constructed for the Umbra design company in 2007, a design by Kohn Shnier Architects. The building has translucent bright pink vertical bands that wrap a glass structure positioned on the corner of John and a small side street, surrounded by monotone brick construction. In comparison to the surrounding architecture the building is considerably smaller but it defiantly stands out in the crowd. It would be great to see more of this innovative, fun architecture around the city to brighten up the skyline.
Tami Kenwell ~ President - “Not my ‘favourite’ however I must say it adds dramatic colour to this once dull area of john street.”
Justine Harrod ~ Art Director - “I think Karen chose it because it matches her hair and she loves strawberry smoothies with cream soda. Anything big, pink and flashy I‘ll embrace too.”
Bill Avgerinos ~ Graphic Designer - “I am also a fan of the design due to the fact it is different both in colour and in design. Hot Pink is one of my favourite colours as well! Too bad this building doesn’t reside on Queen Street where it would get more attention.”
What is your favourite building?
One of Madhouse’s favorite Bartenders Teddy Fury was featured last week on BLOG.TO. Teddy has been bartending for 26 years at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, where our very own Art Director Justine, also works in her off hours. When he originally started out he thought it would only be for a short time. He was saving up some money and was taking a real estate course but he never ended up selling real estate. What ended up keeping him there was meeting his wife, having a family and then having an ex-wife. He says “I never really felt like I was good at anything before and, I guess, I was good at this. And I love people… it’s kind of like having a party every night in your house but then someone comes in to clean it up.” It really shows that he loves his job and we certainly love him. To read the whole story go to: http://www.blogto.com/people/2012/03/get_to_know_a_bartender_teddy_fury_of_the_horseshoe_tavern/
Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) is holding its 32nd annual awards show to honor and celebrate all those involved in the building industry. Madhouse Advertising Inc has had the privilege of working on advertising for some great homebuilders over the years. The competition is extremely tough this year for the BILD awards as there are a very high number of submissions but Madhouse Advertising Inc has made the Finalists! We’re in the running for Best Project Signage and Best Website. We are thrilled to be nominated!
The Artist Project
From Friday March 1st to 4th the Queen Elizabeth building was the home of The Artist Project. Celebrating its 5th year with an exciting show featuring original works from over 200 carefully juried, independent contemporary artists. Artists from a variety of geographic and creative backgrounds displayed their art giving the viewers a glimpse of tomorrow’s art stars. It was a rare opportunity to meet and purchase work directly from the artist. Some of the highlights from the show and who I would recommend to check out would be:
and this is just the beginning the entire show was great and I saw nothing I didn’t like.
K.P
WORLDS GRUMPIEST KID MODEL
(a face made for voiceovers)
My career as the worlds grumpiest kid model was happily stalled when I was recruited for another job that I was far better suited for, as I clearly had a face for voiceovers.
My father’s partner in crime at the time, and brilliant copywriter, Allan Kazmer asked me to come down to the studio to record six iconic words:
“Mr. Christie You Make Good Cookies “
After we were done, Alan told me he knew a little a girl the same age as I.
“Justine would you help me choose some dolls? I would like to thank her for something.” Who was this kid getting my dolls? I sucked it up and went to baby doll town and I have been searching for that high ever since.
Then, Allan told me a very sad story. This girl had a little sister. So I chose a “runner up” doll for the little sister, what I call a loot bag special, just one step up from “free toy with Happy Meal ”.
My eyes welled up with tears as I watched the shopkeeper package the last doll.
Allan and I left the doll store and handed me the bag calmly saying,
“Justine, That little girl is you “
Tune in next week and read about how my little sister went koo koo for cocoa puffs upon receiving her runner up, most improved, here you go, shut the what up doll.
