Dezeen Magazine

Spacial by Ivy Studio

Ivy Studio adds pops of colour to Spacial co-working office in Montreal

Mint green and burgundy are among the hues incorporated into a Montreal co-working space that Canadian firm Ivy Studio designed to "stand out from its competitors."

The office is located on the second floor of a 743-square-metre building in Verdun, one of city's trendiest neighbourhoods. The space formerly housed a Jiu Jitsu gym and a beauty salon.

Ivy Studio designed the project
Spacial co-working office includes mint and burgundy hues

This is the first location for the new co-working brand Spacial. Local practice Ivy Studio was charged with designing a flexible work environment for up to 120 people.

"Being the first of its brand, this space had to stand out from its competitors by offering a unique vision for co-working," the team said.

Local firm Ivy Studio added dashes of colour to the space
The project was designed by Ivy Studio

The team divided the rectangular space into two distinct zones.

The front portion encompasses public areas that are largely used for informal working, socialising and relaxing. In the rear, the team created a more private area with about two dozen rentable offices in varying sizes.

Throughout the space, contemporary finishes and decor are paired with original building elements, such as exposed ceiling joists and brick surfaces.

In many areas, the team coated the walls with an off-white plaster and covered the floors with light-grey terrazzo. Much of the furniture is black, although dashes of colour are sprinkled throughout.

Rainbow-coloured elements feature in the office
Dashes of colour are set against monochrome walls

Upon entering, one encounters a rounded reception desk made of zinc with a rainbow-coloured finish. Hanging on a wall is a blue, circular mirror – one of several rounded elements in the venue.

To one side of the foyer is a lounge and a trio of conference rooms, each with a wall-mounted screen.

Ivy Studio created a mixture of light and dark areas
Brick walls feature in the office

"In the conference rooms, televisions are camouflaged in front of matching, circular black mirrors, each backlit to put forward the white-washed brick wall," the team said.

To the other side of the foyer is a second public area. This one encompasses a kitchen and dining space, including private booths that are well-suited for small groups.

Bathrooms have black tiles and pops of colour
Bathrooms have black ceramic tiles

The kitchen features curved cabinetry with a glossy mint-green finish, and a backsplash and island covered with Rosso Levanto marble. The base of the island is made of stainless steel, which mimics the chrome planters found throughout the office.

Situated near the kitchen are the bathrooms, which have black ceramic tiles and matching plumbing fixtures.

Ivy Studio put a glass-brick wall in the reception
The reception area has a blocky glass brick wall

Behind the reception desk is a glazed-block wall that separates the public zone from the private offices, while still enabling light to pass through.

The offices are arrayed along corridors with tile flooring and brick walls. Both fixed and sliding glass panels enclose the work spaces. A dark burgundy hue was chosen for the carpeting and mullions.

Skylights throw light onto the office's corridors
Skylights bring extra light into the office's interior

To ensure the private area felt bright and welcoming, the team installed 20 skylights above the corridors.

"With the exposed brick walls, sandstone floor tiles and abundance of natural light pouring into the hallways, the general feeling resembles that of working in an exterior courtyard," the team said.

Other co-working spaces in Canada include an office designed by Henri Cleinge within Montreal's old Royal Bank, and a women-only space in Toronto that was designed by MMNT Studio to feel peaceful yet playful.

Photography is by Alex Lesage.


Project credits:

Architecture and design: Ivy Studio Inc
Construction: Gestion Gauthier Construction
Furniture: Ivy Studio Inc.

More images and plans

Floor plan
Floor plan
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio
Spacial by Ivy Studio