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Transat
By : NEUF architect(e)s
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Office / Office 5,400 - 54,000 sq.ft. (500 - 5 000 sq. m.) : Gold Certification
In 2021, NEUF accompanies Transat to new horizons with the arrival of hybrid working and a renewal within the company, which opts to renovate its offices in downtown Montreal.
Our designers considered employees’ daily tasks for the organizational reconfiguring of the spaces, which henceforth no longer include allocated offices and also reflects the new airline’s values. The challenge was to make the premises appealing by fostering social interactions and a sense of ownership among employees. The layout of flexible and diversified spaces was guided by the organization’s specific activities (MTAA). The new open-plan layout creates a non-hierarchical working environment adapted to the needs of its users, and acts as a generational bridge.
Circulation paths are laid out according to the concept of floating above clouds; a travel metaphor that appeals to the slowed-down state in which we find ourselves when in transit between two zones. This feeling of well-being is stimulated by the layout of fluid circulations, the choice of materials, and the use of curved lines to soften the route. This circulation pathway comprises a trail marked on the floor, as well as on the ceiling through the use of light fixtures. The corners of the office open onto Parc Avenue and its breathtaking views of Mount Royal, allowing access to natural light for all users. The nearby dining area provides a large space for gatherings and allows for organization of public events in a setting that is open to the city and the mountain.
Furniture design and the importance of technology are also key considerations in the layout of the new offices. A range of versatile furniture combined with technological upgrades facilitates the connections essential to today’s hybrid work model. Our designers also showcased the aviation company’s brand image by integrating a sedate program of signage. Little glimpses of aircraft windows, the lighting palette, and pictograms inspired by the world of travel are distributed sparingly throughout the space. Integrated into the signage and wayfinding is an adhesive vinyl treatment on the glass of a conference room, which refers to the first destination Transat served, on November 14, 1987: Acapulco.
The project’s sustainable development approach includes furnishings sourced from local manufacturers and distributors. Another key factor contributing to sustainability was the client’s decision to remain in the city centre, thereby facilitating employees’ access to the premises via the use of active transport networks. These measures, and the revitalization of existing spaces, reduce the organization’s carbon footprint. The excellent attendance rate at the new offices, which has led Transat to consider expanding onto another storey, is testament to the success of the refurbishment.
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