Allied Properties' new Montreal head office by Sid Lee Architecture showcases innovative workspaces that are tailor-made for professionals, championing ways to revive the city’s international business district.
Co-creation at the service of wellness
Avoiding the reductive trends or reactionary gestures that often populate the post-Covid discourse, the space has been carefully designed through a process of co-creation aimed at unearthing the true needs of its users. A meticulous analysis of the pre- and post-pandemic needs of professionals and employees was carried out in conjunction with collaborative work sessions with all stakeholders to reimagine required individual and collaborative spaces. The result is an innovative user-centric workspace model that strikes a harmonious balance between performance, efficiency, and well-being.
Permeable microcosm
To create excitement and promote a return to in-person work, the company's new workspaces have been designed to instill a sense of pride and belonging. In contrast to traditional, dense, and fragmented offices, these spaces are inspired by the hospitality industry and propose a well-balanced variety that offers employees optimal comfort. The workspaces embody the company's values of building sustainable and livable cities imbued with a sense of community, creativity, and well-being.
A true hub of connectivity, the entrance of the new Allied Properties office opens itself up to the Montreal community and offers a space that can be rented by all Allied tenants. This series of reconfigurable meeting rooms can be arranged for large events such as town halls, medium size training sessions, or more quaint board meetings. To make this space as inviting as possible, the traditional reception desk has been replaced by a lobby space where welcoming seating arrangements are flanked by barista-grade coffee stocked by local roasters.
Art integration
Within the offices, in order to facilitate way-finding and create a broader range of working environments, each meeting room is designed with a unique theme inspired by Allied's Montreal properties, in conjunction with a variety of seating arrangements. Bespoke furniture was either created – such as a conference table in the shape of the newly refurbished 1001 Robert-Bourassa property – or existing artifacts were skillfully integrated, namely, an imposing metal door from the former Nordelec factory. Montreal painter Dan Climan, renowned for his figurative style, was also commissioned to create works of art depicting some of the portfolio's buildings, which are on display throughout the common spaces.
"Inspired by the values of Allied Properties and Montreal's architectural heritage, we have created a space that embodies a strong sense of belonging and pride," says Martin Leblanc, Architect and Principal Partner at Sid Lee Architecture. “Every detail, from the repurposed artifacts to the local artwork, has been carefully integrated to reflect the unique identity of the client and it’s community.”
Durable plurality
The conference and meeting rooms, ideal for informal exchanges and more structured meetings, have been designed to be easily accessible by all, with carefully considered acoustics and seamlessly integrated technological supports. The common areas have been designed around these spaces to encourage opportunities for more fortuitous encounters and exchanges. Some of these spaces are flexible to allow them to adapt to the evolving needs of the office and ensure the project's longevity.
Bespoke design
Evenly distributed throughout the space, the workstations were custom-designed for the client in order to optimize collaboration without sacrificing personal comfort. Halfway between a cubicle and a hot-desk, these new workstations offer a greater degree of privacy thanks to their half partitions and the integration of felt coverings for optimum acoustics and sound isolation. Ergonomic concerns are addressed by including height-adjustable work surfaces to all employees. To promote collaboration, these work surfaces can be collectively raised to their bar height setting to create a large, joint work island. In addition, each workstation is coupled with an innovative work bar and storage that provides spaces for informal meetings and work sessions with colleagues. True to Allied Properties’ values, the bespoke furniture combines aesthetics and versatility with sustainability through responsibly sourced birch wood.
Biophilic principles
Guided by the principles of biophilic design, the overall space offers a connection to nature, whether visual or analog. A range of noble and raw materials, such as steel and concrete, contrast in texture and warmth with woodwork, upholstery, and terracotta objects. The cafeteria was strategically positioned in front of the west-facing windows to maximize natural light and provide a view of the treetops of Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle. Allied Properties' green signature hue was subtly integrated into the details of the furniture and curtains, in turn accentuating the convivial character of the space. Vegetation is omnipresent and integrated at all scales to balance well-being, comfort, and productivity. The vistas offered by the open-plan layout bring a sense of connectivity, while custom-designed hanging planters break up the floor plate into more intimate spaces. Lastly, alcoves provide opportunities for refuge.
A new model for the vitality of the downtown core
Throughout the design process, the vision for the new Allied Properties offices remained the same: to offer a balance between professional needs and personal well-being. As a result, Sid Lee Architecture was able to offer an inspiring setting where every day professional life blends with architectural elegance. In collaboration with Allied Properties, the architects reaffirm their desire to revitalize downtown Montreal in order to promote its attractivity through the lens of creativity.
Team:
Architects: Sid Lee Architecture
General contractor: Downs McGovern
Electromechanical engineer: Planifitech
Visual artist: Dan Climan
Photographer: Alex Lesage
Materials Used:
Lighting : Déca Lighting
Furniture: Mobël
Architectural finishes: RCM Architectural
