Fathom Studio

Downtown Halifax has a rich history, and the Dennis building is no exception.   Built in 1863, this building was once the newspaper hub of Nova Scotia before it became government offices and was later vacated.   The redevelopment was awarded to Dexel Developments by the Province of Nova Scotia, and Fathom Studio was hired as the Architect of Record.   Today, it’s getting a new life with The Press Block.   We are delighted to finally take down the weather wrap. An intricate and arduous process was undertaken to Repoint Masonry to #PreserveTheFacade.   Next time you’re at the corners of Barrington, George and Granville Streets in downtown Halifax, be sure to have a peak and book a tour.   Now leasing 1, 2 & 3 bedroom suites for May 2025. Write your Story   902.407.1730 leasing@pressblock.ca Paramount Management Lawen Group Fathom Studio

Hospitals and healthcare facilities are complex, high-stress environments. Patients navigate unfamiliar spaces to find appointments, visitors search for their loved ones, and staff move quickly between departments spread across large buildings. Effective wayfinding signs transform the experience—reducing anxiety, improving efficiency, and creating a sense of ease. Thoughtfully designed signs anticipate visitors' needs, empowers patients, lightens the load on staff, and enhances perception of the facility. Wayfinding starts the moment someone arrives. From parking to entrances, every step matters. For the new QEII Hospital parkade, Fathom developed a system that ensures seamless navigation between the parkade, the pedway, and the street. Movement is easier for patients, visitors, and staff. By prioritizing clarity, accessibility, and user needs, we can create a seamless and supportive experience for everyone. #Wayfinding #HealthcareDesign #SignageStrategy #UserExperience #HospitalWayfinding #FathomStudio

On International Day of Education we take a look back at one of our favourite projects that honours learning and community. The Delmore "Buddy" Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI) is a beacon of education and empowerment for African Nova Scotians. Through programs that foster academic excellence and cultural pride, the centre shapes futures and honours legacies. Fathom Studio was privileged to collaborate with DBDLI on its renovation. The design incorporates storytelling at every level, inspired by Ghanaian Adinkra symbols—an ode to the community’s rich heritage. This space now reflects the centre’s mission: to empower through education, culture, and connection. Today, we celebrate institutions like DBDLI that create opportunities and build stronger communities. #InternationalDayOfEducation #DBDLI #CommunityEmpowerment #AfricanNovaScotianHeritage #InclusiveDesign #FathomStudio

What a year it's been! 2024 brought incredible milestones, and none of it would have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our Fathom Studio family, the trust of our amazing clients, and the support of our partners. Here's a look back at just a few project highlights from this past year:    Keshen Goodman Library reopened this past summer, a beloved space reimagined!  📸 Jeff Cooke   Under One Sky Friendship Centre broke ground and started pouring foundations – an exciting step forward.    Battlefords River Valley Signage was installed, bringing the site to life with stunning wayfinding. 📸 Jason Surkan    NSCC Sydney Waterfront Campus opened its doors, with landscaping nearing completion and interpretive pieces installed.    The Shuffle opened its doors to residents, completing the transformation of an old Dartmouth hotel into vibrant new housing.  📸 Hamilton Media   JACBA Centre of Excellence is almost ready to welcome its community, with occupancy expected in early 2025!    Cheers to 2024! See you in 2025!     #YearInReview #FathomStudio #CommunityByDesign #Architecture #LandscapeArchitecture #DesignMatters 

Today, we pause to honour and remember the lives forever changed by the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917. This devastating event, caused by the collision of the SS Imo and SS Mont-Blanc in Halifax Harbour, sent shockwaves across the city and the world. Thousands lost their lives, were injured, or left homeless, and the community of Richmond and the Mi’Kmaq village of Turtle Grove were wiped from the landscape in an instant.    For the 100th anniversary in 2017, Fathom Studio was honoured to have contributed to the preservation of this history through the design of Fort Needham Memorial Park. This 6.5-hectare park in Halifax’s North End invites reflection on the resilience of the community and the enduring impact of the explosion.     Materials like cor-ten steel and wood, along with interpretive elements woven into the landscape, ensure the story of the tragedy and its aftermath lives on for future generations.    On this anniversary, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the impact of this tragedy and to honour the spirit of those who endured and those who came to our city’s aid.    📸 Scotty Sherin   #HalifaxExplosion #FortNeedham #StorytellingDesign #LandscapeArchitecture  

As winter is feeling just around the corner, autumn was in full display this fall on the Halifax Waterfront. Queen’s Marque Bosque Plaza features the vibrant tones of Autumn Blaze Maples, enhancing seasonal colour and providing a welcoming space within the urban landscape. 📸 Harrison Jardine #QueensMarque #BosquePlaza #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanDesign

Great time at the CBRE Atlantic Market Outlook Breakfast! It’s always a highlight to hear Robert Mussett’s signature “rant”, which again, didn’t disappoint. Fantastic to see some of Fathom’s current work featured as examples of impactful architecture and planning work shaping our region. We’re proud to contribute to the vision for Atlantic Canada’s future built environment #CBRE #MarketOutlook #AtlanticCanada #Architecture #Planning #FathomStudio

A new chapter for the Keshen Goodman Library “Libraries are more than just buildings—they are the heart of a community, places where people gather, learn, and grow,” said Åsa Kachan, Chief Librarian and CEO of Halifax Public Libraries. “This renovation is an investment in our little ones, seniors, teens, and newcomers. It’s a space that enriches lives every day.” Source: CBC News. Nestled in the heart of Clayton Park, Halifax’s busiest suburban library has officially reopened after an extensive renovation designed by Fathom Studio. As one of the city’s most visited branches, welcoming 425,000 visitors each year, the Keshen Goodman Library has been transformed to meet the growing needs of its vibrant community. The renovation, designed to meet Rick Hansen Gold Accessibility Standards, ensures that the library is truly welcoming and accessible to all. The design consolidates staff areas in a modern addition, allowing branch staff to work together in a shared area and turning over much needed floorspace to the public. Expanded youth programming spaces, flexible areas for community events, and a brand-new library entrance bring new life to this vital community hub. The thoughtful design also includes a stunning mural by local artist Andrea Tsang Jackson in the children’s area. Her vibrant creation invites interaction, celebrating nature, discovery, and the diversity of the surrounding community. With this renovation, Keshen Goodman Library continues to serve as a beacon of inclusivity and learning, ensuring accessibility, energy efficiency, and an enhanced public realm for all ages. Whether it’s quiet study, teen gaming, or the comfort of a storybook, this space is built to inspire and unite. Partners Halifax Regional Municipality | Halifax Public Libraries | Avondale Construction Ltd Atlantic | Dillon Consulting Limited | BMR Structural Engineering Ltd.| Outside!| Altus Group | EXP | East Coast Openings 📸 : Jeff Cooke #Architecture #LibraryDesign #CommunitySpaces #Accessibility #RickHansenAccessibility #Halifax #PalacesforthePeople

We’re excited to share a major milestone for the Under One Sky Friendship Centre!    The earthwork for Awitgati Longhouse & Cultural Centre is well underway, bringing us one step closer to creating a meaningful space for community, culture, and connection.    We can’t wait to see it's doors open to everyone in summer 2026!    Stay tuned for more updates as this incredible journey continues.    📸: Photo courtesy of Philson Ltd. 

This weekend, Adam Fine, Fathom’s Director of Experiential Graphic Design, will take the stage at the American Society of Landscape Architecture’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. He’ll be joining Christy Montgomery of RSM Design (USA) and Susan Mavor of Lost & Found Design (Vancouver) for a session called "My Place: Using Signs and Graphics to Enhance Personal Connections to Space". Adam will draw from his work on signs of all kinds—to talk about how one of signs' most important functions is to be great hosts, welcoming everyone into our public spaces, like parks, trails, and squares. SUN-B07 Sunday, October 6 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM Room 151AB #ASLA2024 #FathomStudio #EnvironmentalDesign #InclusiveDesign #Wayfinding #CollaborationInDesign https://lnkd.in/gy34xbQW