“Our inspiration came from our city and from the material,” says Rebart found Lisa Grassa.Stacklab and Rebart
The site of Fort York is among the most historic in Toronto – and all of Canada, for that matter. But when its revitalization called for the demolition of the Garrison Road Bridge – built in the 1960s, with roots dating back 160 years – Lisa Grassa intercepted. "I have always believed in the power of story and its ability to connect you to a certain place or time," says the founder of Rebart, a company that works with builders to preserve historic material from Toronto infrastructure. "This bridge told a story that needed to be preserved in some way." Armed with the bridge's rebar and bearings, Grassa approached Jeff Forrest of design studio Stacklab about making something from it. The resulting limited edition run includes 102 stool/tables in cast iron (with optional bronze accents). "Our inspiration came from our city and from the material," Grassa says. "This steel is so steeped in history – in dirt, rust and the wear and tear of generations of travellers." From $1,950 through rebart.ca