Materiality And Secure Wayfinding at a Trade Union Federation’s New Head Office

Reception Photo by Stephane Brugger

Located in Montreal, Canada, the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) is the second largest trade union federation in Quebec. Juggling 14 separate departments and a bustling influx of people everyday, CSN needed an expanded head office that would offer its occupants and visitors a secure, rejuvenated everyday experience.

Transparency through materiality at the new head office of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), in Montreal, Canada. Designed by Consortium BGLA + NEUF architect(e)s. Photography: Stéphane Brügger

“Located in the Ville-Marie district, east of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the head office of the CSN, a brutalist building from the early 80s, wanted to get rid of its heavy and severe image,” notes the project description. “This image has been transformed through a redevelopment and an expansion amplifying the aesthetics of the building and its impact on the neighbourhood, while preserving its essence, its identity. The entire project is inspired and anchored in the continuity of the values of the CSN: autonomy, freedom, solidarity.”

“The expansion project is designed to enhance the architectural and social landscape of the area. A large volume of colour develops in continuity with the existing building, but now more freely, expressing diversity, complementarity and unity.”

Designed by Consortium BGLA + NEUF architect(e)s, the project is remarkable for its treatment of existing and new elements, for its materiality, and its ingenious layout.

“At the heart of the architectural concept is the symbiosis of two volumes, one of wood, the other of steel, blending harmoniously in a vast atrium bathed in natural light. A true metaphor of the public space, at once free, luminous and unifying, this grandiose place acts as a strong link; uniting the existing building with its expansion, as well as the different members of the confederation. The offices are all located at the perimeter of the enlarged volume and around this atrium lined with passageways and crossed bridges. On the ground floor and on the garden level are the common functions: the meeting rooms, the cafeteria, the multifunctional room, the bookshop and the library. The “circular” floor plan offers great flexibility that will allow the growth or decline of the different federations over the years.”

Photography by Stephane Brugger

In an officeinsight interview, Martin Brière, partner architect at BGLA, articulated a design process that began slowly and moved quickly once key pivotal decisions were made.

“We had to progress very slowly because we were working very closely with CSN to make sure they were the ones telling their own story through the design,” said Mr. Brière. “Once we established what that story was and made sure everybody understood why certain decisions were being made, we were able to move forward quickly and seamlessly through development and construction.”

On the interior, the design team created an open expanse linking the existing building with the new building.

“In our first discussions with the client, we quickly understood that they didn’t appreciate the brutalist style of the existing building,” said Mr. Brière. We focused on reflecting their values of democracy and equality of voices within the space, and of combining those values into both the new and existing buildings.”

Photography by Stephane Brugger

The idea of communication – of liberty and of freedom of expression and of different voices coming together – is a critical part of the design concept. CSN has 14 different departments, and it required a space that would link all of those teams and people and differing goals, together.

“This project is a questioning of space and light,” said Mr. Brière. “We wanted to work from the idea of two individuals having a dialogue, and of the strength of a message that comes from two entities coming together.”

“We wanted to create an expanse connecting the existing building and the new building. The agora is a central common space, and people can feel the presence of the agora even when they are far away. We developed three angular, dynamic pathways that connect critical points within the space.”

Expansion project atrium. Photo by Stephane Brugger

“Wood, concrete and steel were used to express the know-how of local and regional industries, represented by CSN unions,’ notes the project description. “The atrium was designed to highlight these raw materials. In particular, wood is the predominant element of this project, since it is associated with the collective spaces of the building; these places, highly symbolic for the Confederation, unite its different members and gather them around the same mission. The careful use of wood allows emphasis to be placed on these spaces of sharing; including the atrium, the cafeteria and multifunctional rooms. Combined with concrete and steel, finely worked wood enhances the aesthetics of these collective spaces and represents the wealth of know-how of the workers, recalling the essence of the CSN. The different types of wood chosen for the design of the project all come from local and regional industries represented by the Confederation’s trade unions. Maple was the main type of wood used in various ornamental applications for its colour, strength and identity.”

Site plan
Floor Plan

Mr. Brière noted that many of the creative decisions the design team made on the interior were inspired by the CSN logo, consisting of three steel bars that link to form three interlocking chains.

Signage and graphics within the space were designed to communicate simplicity and strength. The design team used color to develop proper wayfinding – each of the four floors uses a different color: black tones distinguish the ground level’s more public functions, and white tones at the upper levels complement a primary color on each upper – yellow, red and blue.

Wayfinding in the space was created to help those who use space regularly, but also protect its occupants from disgruntled outsiders.
Wayfinding at an elevator bank

Wayfinding in the space was reimagined to help those who use space regularly, but also protect its occupants from disgruntled outsiders.

“This was very important,” said Mr. Brière. “The client wanted to make it difficult for strangers to find someone. The wayfinding is clear and clean, but not too easy.”

A new garden completes the redevelopment of the site, providing an oasis for relaxation, exchange, and rejuvenation.

“We wanted to create a ramp without a handrail linking the garden level to the ground level,” said Mr. Brière. “We were having a lot of trouble trying to figure out how to do this ramp without a handrail and also comply with code. Our programming tools weren’t coming up with the solution, and so I ended up sitting down for two or three days to draw it by hand, and was able to figure it out that way. It was a very rewarding experience because I don’t often get the opportunity to sit and sketch something out anymore.”

CSN is a LEED silver expansion project, and offers its occupants and visitors an integrative, rejuvenating experience.