Montreal-based environmental design agency ISSADESIGN has created interiors that are flooded with light, transparency and openness for Behavox office space in Montréal, Canada.

Called Behavox, the 3,653-square-metre project was developed with A+, an integrated project management firm offering a turnkey service. 

Considering the challenges of traditional workspaces impacted by the pandemic, the team aimed to create a breathtaking workspace that are dominated with separate transparent working pods, curved working corners and public spaces for relax and sit. 

Design for the client Behavox, the office space is seduced by the breathtaking view of the city of Montreal and its icons from the upper floors of the Manulife House, "Behavox's founder knew from the start that his Montreal offices had to be located there," according to ISSADESIGN.  

In this regard, the challenge for ISSADESIGN was to design many closed spaces allowing meetings and moments of concentration, but without obstructing the views, but rather by enhancing them, accompanying them.

"The project aims to provide its occupants and visitors with a vibrant, community-oriented space that is at the same time imbued with an elegant simplicity," the firm added.

"The idea was to anchor the development in a perspective of sustainability, both in the use of the infrastructures and in the redefinition of the needs of the workers." 

"To achieve this, the meeting rooms revolve around the central core of the building, allowing natural light to flood the work areas and other informal collaborative spaces." 

Inside, the studio scattered soundproofed glass cubicles that surround the windows of the floors to provide employees with private work spaces close to their personal work space. The connection between employees is favoured by the installation of a floor opening facilitating access from one floor to the other and offering an even more striking view of the city from the arrival of clients on the 27th floor.

Pathways and distribution of spaces

The bar-café serves as both a meeting place for employees and a reception area for visitors, making the arrival more convivial and less formal. 

On either side of this bar is the agora/cafeteria, which acts as the lungs of the project. The latter is located on the south side of the building, where the view is the best because of the presence of the Old Port and the river. 

"The idea was to make this view accessible to everyone," explains the designers.

This area is meant to be inviting because of its outdoor garden aspect set up by its custom-made furniture with lampposts reminiscent of city gardens.

According to the studio, adding abundance of vegetation also enriches the work environment and makes it pleasant and soothing. The aim is to put forward the spirit of an indoor garden. 

"It is through these gestures that the threshold between exterior and interior loses its definition and challenges our relationship with the exterior, even when we are more than 25 floors above ground level. Located at the ends, the sports areas have been designed as open spaces. These high bar courses add a playful touch to the work environment. It is not uncommon to see employees taking a break while moving," the team added.

For material choice, the studio implemented a simple material palette to be neutral and timeless. Interiors combine wood, transparency, raw concrete and white. 

"The idea was to work on linearity and curvature for all the installations," the team continued. 

"The curve adds a softness to the work environment while reflecting the light that falls on it." 

"These gestures are intended to finely evoke nature in addition to leaving room for the viewer by their purity and their nuanced details." 

The studio added that all these various interventions stemmed from a biophilic reflection that intends to integrate and design inspiring places that bring human beings closer to their environment through natural systems and attractions. 

According to the architects, "research has shown that designs that connect us to nature not only inspire us, but also improve our productivity and even our well-being." 

The team has kept the lounges as coloured spaces in the project, to give a more relaxed and invigorating feel to the work areas.

Layout plan

Layout plan

Project facts

Client: Behavox

Location: 900 West de Maisonneuve, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Area: 39,320 sq. ft. / 3653 m2.

Materials used: corian, concrete, wood: oak, melamine, vinyl, carpet, metal.

Design: ISSADESIGN, design de l'environnement intégré

Integrated project management: A+

All images © Maxime Brouillet 

All drawings © ISSADESIGN

> via ISSADESIGN