Offices on the ground floor of a heritage building
Sagard Office
Completion date
2020
Project manager
Myriam Côté
Photos
André Doyon
Client: An investment firm
A heritage residence converted in offices, Maison Lord-Atholstan, needed to be refitted, just a few years after the upper three floors had been renovated. The client, a company that invests in start-ups, sought to house approximately 60 employees. Although the residence already contained offices, a redesign of the work spaces was required to meet new needs.
Work on the upper floors
Three floors with many partitions needed to be reorganized, but without altering the decor, since the previous renovations had been carried out under the watchful eye of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications. As a result, the colours of the walls, woodwork and lighting fixtures, among other things, could not be altered.
The constraints imposed by a heritage residence and the existing layout led to the decision to purchase additional furniture that would match the existing. All the workstations have been redistributed to suit the client’s needs and facilitate collaboration. However, privacy screens were placed on the large work islands for the sense of calm required to concentrate on the task at hand.
Carpeting was added in some areas to protect the floors and make it easier to move office chairs. A reception desk was installed in an alcove in the main lobby; its gold colour complements the architecture.
Large basement to be fitted out
The work also included developing the basement on the garden level into a workspace for entrepreneurs, who come in for coaching on how to grow their businesses. A coffee corner has also been provided to facilitate discussions between investors, staff members and the entrepreneurs.
The basement is large and has generous windows, fitted with sunshades to screen views onto the hustle and bustle of downtown. The original flooring – concrete and terrazzo in places – was retained, and the stone and brick walls were whitewashed to create a more uniform appearance. Glass partitions were selected to make the space more dynamic and prevent activities from taking place in silos. Since the three upper floors have many rooms, it was essential to create an open space downstairs where people could mingle.
The lounge area has a comfortable couch on one side and some large tables on the other; the green stools liven the space and recall colours seen elsewhere in the residence. Lockers for employees, including those who commute by bike, can be found on the other side of the coffee area's closets.
A mixed washroom near the lockers – required due to plumbing constraints – has sanitary facilities and showers. The round ceramic tiles on the wall contrast with the black concrete of the consoles and molded sinks. Large mirrors placed face-to-face leverage the space and add texture to the walls.
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9Lastly, nothing was left to chance in the design of the workrooms in the basement. A looped carpet dampens ambient sound, glass partitions let the light penetrate through, and a partial wall hides wiring and houses the radiators under the windows.
Fitted out in this way, Maison Lord-Atholstan now houses some exceptional office space. And the collection of native art – paintings and sculptures – throughout the residence serve as a surprising and appealing counterpoint to the architecture of this distinguished building, erected in 1894-1895.