RAINO’s TV Debut!

OPEN, TRANSPARENT, COLLABORATIVE, VERSATILE

These are a few of the key qualities that guided and focused the design of our new head office. They were also the features that attracted the producers and directors of the CBC television series Burden of Truth to use our studio as the location for Kristin Kreuk’s character’s new law office.

Last spring, our team moved into our new home, an architectural gem in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Originally designed and built in 1958 for the New York Life Insurance Offices, the building epitomized modernist design and was the first of its kind in Winnipeg. Over the course of the last 60 years, each new tenant, with subsequent modifications and renovations, detracted from the clean lines and simplicity of the original style. Acting as both client and designer, the RAI team took on the project of rehabilitating the historic building to pay homage to the modernist style with gusto and passion.

In addition to restoring and honouring the building’s historic significance, the team’s focus was to create a space reflective of RAI’s culture, processes, and diversity.  On the exterior, the structure is celebrated through the contrast of dark vertical elements and sleek glazing, which is both transparent and reflective depending on the viewpoint and time of day. The interior features expansive open space with a colourfully patterned central core of transparent meeting rooms and cozy inviting collaborative spaces.

Soon after our team moved into our new space (RAINO – Republic Architecture Inc’s New Office), we were approached by the Burden of Truth creative team, who saw our studio as the perfect set for their show. The layout, innovative spaces, colours, and creative patterns were exactly what they were seeking. During the summer of 2018, our studio was filled with the hustle and bustle of a film crew, producers, directors, hair and makeup artists, and actors; the parking lot was set up with trailers for dressing rooms, a craft services tent, and everything else that is required ‘on location’ of a TV set.

The season 2 premiere of “Burden of Truth” aired Wednesday, January 9, 2019, marking RAINO’s TV debut! The RAI team is really excited to have our home, the studio we designed, contribute to the fabric of a show filmed in and featuring Winnipeg. It also didn’t hurt to have Kristin Kreuk and Peter Mooney hanging around our office either!

RAINO accentuates the beauty of the modernist building’s structure, while framing the new creative and innovative interior. RAINO is an expression of our team and ability to deliver successful and elegant projects.

If you want to see how our versatile studio housed a TV law firm, you’ll have to watch Burden of Truth.

To hear more on our collaboration with Burden of Truth watch this video.