Capgemini Offices – Montreal
A+ designed the Capgemini offices in Montréal to create a vibrant, welcoming environment that fosters collaboration and employee well-being, all while adhering to a global design charter and budgetary constraints.
For Capgemini’s Montreal office, the goal was not to solve a problem, but to offer a work environment that lived up to their teams: a welcoming place for local employees and a warm landing spot for international collaborators passing through. The color palette, in green, orange, beige and navy blue, was predetermined by the company, as was a global design charter to ensure continuity with their other offices around the world. In this context, the real challenge lay elsewhere: designing an inspiring, coherent space within a tight budget envelope typical of a satellite office.
Our concept was to create an enveloping workplace where soft, rounded lines and gentle marine tones blend with the warmth of wood and velvet to offer a space that is soothing, vibrant and comfortable all at once. Natural light is highlighted and supported by fresh hues and soft materials, creating a calm, zen ambiance that reflects the company’s values. Particular attention was given to the acoustics of the meeting rooms, with the integration of acoustic light fixtures and sound-absorbing panels to support fluid, focused and creative exchanges.
At the heart of the project, the cafeteria stands out as a signature space. It is bold in its colors and forms, yet remains modest and unifying. The orange island with its unusual shape becomes an informal meeting point, while the kitchen light fixture acts as a true statement piece. Around it, the banquettes along the windows offer privileged views of downtown and invite spontaneous conversations. Set slightly apart, small solo or duo rooms provide comfortable, intimate spaces to recharge or hold confidential discussions. Millwork plays a central role: glazed wood partitions, the reception desk, rounded plant boxes and the curved kitchen counter reinforce the human, welcoming character of the environment while bringing in a biophilic dimension that is important to the company.
Thanks to the GPCI approach, we were able to address financial risks upstream and define from day one an optimal design aligned with a clearly established budget. The design build delivery method made it possible to complete the project within a very tight schedule, to the point where our scope of work was finished a full month before the client’s own technological installations were completed. Along the way, a series of targeted adjustments, such as modifying the reception cloakroom cabinetry to maintain access to ceiling junction boxes or adapting the gypsum bulkhead to conceal existing ventilation ducts, had a major impact on both the functionality and the overall finish of the space. From the very first meeting, an honest realignment around the budget laid the groundwork for a transparent collaboration. This is what allowed us to arrive at a modest yet well balanced concept that stays true to Capgemini’s values and focuses on employee well being.
Design: A+
Architecture: Atelier Monarque
Photography: Phil Bernard
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