Canadian architecture practice Maurice Martel architecte has created a home-like atmosphere for its new architecture office in Montreal, Canada.

Maurice Martel architecte has transformed a former hair salon, which was once ordinary and confined to a single level, into its new architecture studio.

While minimalism embraces the entire office space, soft transitions between hard surfaces and carefully selected materials increase the feeling of working in the space.

The workspace, which resembles a home, offers a warm and friendly atmosphere with the same lime plaster finish on the walls.

According to the firm, "this project stands out for its thoughtful approach and the integration of custom solutions, demonstrating the Studio's ability to optimize and transform spaces efficiently."

The architects used a previously unused crawl space to increase the ceiling height in the project. This structural change allowed for the design of large windows that provide the abundance of natural light and the feeling of open space necessary for a stimulating work environment.

Custom design and innovation

The office carefully considered every component of the new layout and custom-made the parts. Conference room furniture, kitchen and open space, doors with unusual proportions and storage areas were adapted to the specific dimensions and needs of the office.

An elegant strip of glass integrated into the ceramic wall fills both spaces with light, creating an optimal acoustic zone for the conference room. Instead of concrete, the open-space is made of a wooden structure covered with the same lime plaster as the walls.

The fusion of furniture with the walls and this customization maximizes the use of every available square centimeter, offering a functional and aesthetically pleasing work environment that reflects the firm's values of creativity and precision.

"The project stands out for its innovative approach to space utilization and the use of cost-effective materials. Painting the ceiling black reduces its visual presence and increases the perception of height and volume," said Maurice Martel architecte.

"The lime-treated walls, combined with concrete floors and ceramic accents, create visual harmony while introducing textures that enrich the overall aesthetic."

This renovation project is distinguished by its judicious use of resources and respect for existing structures. 

By transforming a limited commercial space into a dynamic and functional work environment, the Maurice Martel architecte Studio demonstrates how architectural vision can completely rethink a place and reinvent spaces by combining careful planning and custom design.

Floor plan

Maurice Martel architecte designed "an almost perfect cube" for a wintery chalet in a lush forest in Mandeville, Canada. The firm built a glass pavilion with dark roof in the heart of a garden in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, an off-island suburb of Montreal, in southwestern Quebec, Canada. 

Project facts

Architects: Maurice Martel architecte

General contractor: Archetype Construction

Ceramic: Arta Ceramic

Doors: Luxio Doors

Kitchen: Atelier Boisteck

Doors & Windows: Shalwin

Curtains & Canvases: Store Urbain

Plumbing fixtures: Batimat 

Light fixture: Lambert & Fils

All images © LM Chabot.

Drawing © Maurice Martel architecte.

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Maurice Martel Architecte Montreal office renovation work place workspace