Bureau chef, Groupe Dynamite Inc.

Two awards for the GDI Campus

A one-of-a-kind project, the extension of Groupe Dynamite’s head office earned the Montreal-based women’s clothing retailer two awards.

The whole renovation project for the company’s head office, known as the GDI Campus, won the award for Office space, over 20,000 sq. ft. The retailer’s steady growth meant more space was needed to accommodate both the staff and the distribution centre. The acquisition of an adjacent building along with the expansion of the existing building made room to create new offices and design centres, to enlarge the distribution centre and to build a bright and welcoming common area for employees, called the Atrium, which won the Common area award.
Without doubt the showpiece of the project coordinated by the firm Ædifica, the Atrium, which forms a link between the two buildings, features a series of glue-laminated timber structures, creating a succession of arches that support a roof of windows covering 9,700 sq. ft. Whether in the chef-run cafeteria, the food counter, the lunch area or the dedicated training room, the care and concern of the management for their employees’ well-being is clearly evident.

Capping off the vibrant modernity of the space, Three hearts on the rock, a work by pop artist Jim Dine, stands in front of the entrance of the Atrium.

The jury particularly appreciated the unpretentiously elegant design, which showcases industrial and natural materials. The result reflects the creative values of GDI.