POMERLEAU
Humà was commissioned to redesign Pomerleau's offices in Old Montreal, in a 17-story building dating back to 1961. The mandate covered 150,000 sq ft already occupied by the company, spread over several floors, and aimed to reinvent the post-pandemic workplace. The objective was to introduce flexibility, encourage creativity and collaboration between the sixteen departments, while integrating new spaces adapted to current and future needs.
CLIENT :
Pomerleau
LOCATION :
Montréal, QC
YEAR :
2021-2024
AREA:
150,000 sq ft
DISCIPLINE :
DESIGN D'INTÉRIEUR
PHOTO/3D :
OSA - Ulysse Lemerise
The project included the complete redevelopment of several floors, the creation of collective and collaborative areas, coffee corners and lounges, as well as a new flexible space on the ground floor, visible from the street. This space accommodates external workers, training sessions, and private events, providing a renewed showcase for the company.
Complementing the WELL certification principles and notions of biophilia, the design team worked from the main circulation axes, leading to the various dynamic centers of the office. This is how the idea of interstitial zones was born: spaces that appear residual but are essential in their function and ambition.
From then on, the office furniture became part of a family of new space dividers made of wrought metal, which structure, punctuate, and enrich these areas. These elements, both functional and aesthetic, take the form of separators, collaborative supports, structuring or decorative objects—and even seating. Their soft geometry invites interaction, and the addition of filters with playful details creates a warm interaction. This reflection was extended by a particular attention paid to visual comfort, with the planning of direct and indirect lighting that reflects both the workstations and their environment. The objective: to avoid any glare or repetitive linearity.
The street-level collaborative space, meanwhile, takes advantage of the premises' exceptional volume, characterized by its triple height. It consists of several zones: closed collaboration rooms, a central lounge, a large communal table, and an amphitheater area, each of which can be adapted using full-height curtains.
Playing with this triple height, a series of suspended lighting fixtures was designed specifically for this space. These three imposing pieces overlook the lounge and communal areas, bringing visual unity and softness to the space, in addition to additional auditory comfort thanks to their felt coverings. The main challenge here was operational flexibility. A series of usage scenarios was developed in collaboration with Pomerleau's operational team to adapt these spaces to different timescales: everyday life, of course, but also internal or external events, whether professional or recreational, of varying sizes.
