Headquarters,,By Your Side（殡仪馆总部项目）丨加拿大蒙特利尔

BY YOUR SIDE

Headquarters of a Funeral Company

Promoting Well-Being

Winter 2023 - Academic Project

📍 1111 Laurier Avenue West, Outremont, Montreal, Canada

Project Overview

This project reimagines the headquarters of Alfred Dallaire Mémoria, a funeral company based in Montreal.

The objective was to rethink the spatial experience for both employees and clients. By improving the daily environment of employees, the project aims to foster a more positive, supportive workplace, which ultimately enhances the experience and perception of clients visiting the funeral home.

Context

Funeral homes are environments charged with emotion.

They must support moments of grief while maintaining professionalism, discretion, and care.

For employees, constant exposure to mourning and emotional stress can be challenging.

Creating spaces that support well-being, decompression, and human connection becomes essential to maintaining both productivity and emotional balance.

Design Intent

The project focuses on designing a workspace that balances emotional sensitivity with employee well-being.

By integrating moments of pause, nature, and informal interaction, the space seeks to soften the emotional weight of the environment while maintaining the respectful atmosphere required in a funeral setting.

Concept

Biophilic Workplace

To create a relaxed and inviting workplace that enhances employee engagement, the design embraces biophilic principles.

Nature becomes a central element in the workspace, bringing calmness, softness, and psychological relief within a sensitive professional context.

Architectural Intentions

Relaxation AreaA dedicated relaxation space allows employees to temporarily disconnect from their tasks and the emotional weight of grief.

Vegetation CoreFloor-to-ceiling glass plant installations surround the central core, integrating seating areas and creating a calm, plant-filled environment.

Informal Gathering SpaceA chaise longue encourages relaxation, spontaneous conversations, and moments of connection between colleagues.

Self-Service Coffee CounterA coffee station supports energy, concentration, and informal collaboration throughout the day.

Relaxation area exterior view and interior view