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Mouvement Desjardins - Executive floors
By : Provencher_Roy
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Office / Office: Professional & Financial Service Firms : Gold Certification
Revamping of the 39th and 40th executive floors of the South Tower of Complex Desjardins in Montréal: A reaffirmation of the valuable heritage of Mouvement Desjardins in Québec.
Transforming the existing space into a more dynamic setting and infusing it with the cooperative’s values of sobriety and social innovation, while underlining its deep-rooted involvement in asset management in Québec were the interior design objectives of Provencher_Roy Design intérieur for the South Tower, culminating with the 39th and 40th executive floors.
As the Montréal headquarters and economic activity hub for Mouvement Desjardins, the original Complexe Desjardins was built in 1976 and occupies a quadrilateral at the entranceway to the city’s vibrant Quartier des spectacles. The 11th highest tower in Montréal, the 152-metre, 40-storey South Tower of the Complexe overlooks Québec’s rich architectural and social heritage.
The pinnacle of a complete revamping project
The design firm therefore carried out a complete interior revamping of the Tower’s 40 floors, respectful of the initial designer Jean-Claude La Haye’s brutalist influence, as the father of urban planning in Québec. Begun in 2016, this revamping mandate culminates with the 39th and 40th executive floors, establishing a functional and aesthetic continuum.
Lighting as a symbol of sharing
A preserved central core systematically infuses the spaces with natural light as a common thread on all floors, striking an equilibrium with calm meeting spaces at the exterior angles of the building. Evocative of Desjardins’ desire to transition into a more flexible environment, unassigned workspaces, relaxation areas, and offices can be transformed into meeting rooms favouring exchanges and the synergy of talent.
On the top floors (39th and 40th), the spaces showcase the human as a focal point of the cooperative and its values, with technological components discreetly and elegantly integrated into the background.
The executive suite on the 40th floor is specially designed for accomplishing significant business matters in a confidential ambiance characterized by muted tones. Conceived as a passageway between the new reception area on the 39th floor and the office spaces on the 40th floor completely dedicated to the executive direction, the stairway linking the two spaces was fully renovated. Conference rooms and reception spaces can also be transformed into meeting spaces based on the organization’s needs. Thus, all the operational nuances for the management of a major financial cooperative are envisioned and made possible, including the reception of dignitaries and restaurant services, thanks to an executive kitchen. Finally, environmentally friendly LED lighting has been implemented to showcase the wide variety of artwork in Desjardins’ private collection.
Noble durable building materials from Québec
The floors are created using local terrazzo tiles. The choice of high-quality locally sourced materials reflects the voluntary sobriety characterizing Desjardins’ DNA and its implication in the economy of the belle province. In addition, the furniture is 50% obtained from Québécois companies, and 90% obtained from Canadian companies.
The strong eco-friendly component of the revamping project and concern that professionals adhere to it is also conveyed through the choice of materials that are respectful of the environment, such as paint devoid of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and recyclable carpets made of recycled fibers.
Collaboration
