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CSSDM – Centre de services scolaires de Montréal
By : STGM Design
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 15th edition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Office / Agile work Environment : Silver Certification
Categories : Special Awards / Signage & Branding : Silver Certification
The Centre de services scolaires de Montréal (CSSDM) is a public organization whose mandate is to organize educational services in preschool, elementary and secondary institutions, as well as in specialized schools and vocational training centers.
Formerly located on Sherbrooke Street East, the CSSDM's premises, spread over seven floors, no longer met the demand. Therefore, the mandate to completely relocate the administrative offices had the objective of offering a new and more functional work environment to more than 600 employees. The realization of an interior design guide was going to give a guideline to the different professionals involved throughout the project.
With school education in mind, the project stands out with a playful cameo of colors that gives each of the floors a different spirit, ranging from yellow to purple, and from blue to red. This detail makes it easy for visitors to find their way around a large space. An additional effort is noticed in the basement, which welcomes families and their young children as well as CSSDM employees, under the green color theme. We find custom-made foam blocks for a play area to build and deconstruct, which encourages children's imagination and allows their parents to take a break during important meetings.
A challenge that presented itself as a considerable asset was the integration of existing furniture and old works, dating from the 60s, with new furniture.
As for the complete and functional signage component of the project, it includes removable elements that offer flexibility and versatility to the client while allowing them to print their own messages according to the changes of employees or room vocation. Not only is this system practical and efficient, but it does not sacrifice the interior design and ensures the visual cleanliness of the project.
Huge murals were deployed throughout the project to pay tribute to the various personalities who have left their mark on the history of education in Quebec, while offering a playful and amusing tone. This work is the result of a close collaboration between the illustrator Joany Paquet and the CSSDM archives. A meaningful place is given to women, such as teachers Laure Gaudreault and Thérèse Baron, or Cécile G. Grenier, a pioneer in physical education for girls. This detail was important to both the designers and the client who wanted to recognize the importance of women in education and to be involved in the feminist movement of the 21st century.
It should be noted that 100% of those involved in the project are women, all very proud of the final outcome, which illustrates the result of an intimate partnership within a multidisciplinary team.
Collaboration
