INDESIGN / Conrath architecte designed UNIVESTA’s 750-m² (8,073-sf) satellite office in Montreal’s DIX30 lifestyle hub on South Shore as a responsive solution addressing post-pandemic work dynamics.

In 2021, the design firm collaborated with the insurance services provider client, UNIVESTA, to lay out the program requirements for an inspirational space for its employees. The pandemic led to shifting mindsets and reconsideration about traditional workspaces, challenging long-held beliefs about the necessity for large, centralized offices.

With a strong focus on spatial design and materiality, the INDESIGN / Conrath architecte team embarked on a concept that would entice employees to return to office. While the space is characterized by its high ceilings and views of the nearby Montreal skyline, the design team reduced its internal vastness to a more intimate human scale, by designing a central nucleus comprised of 50 workstations and a series of small meeting rooms. As a central focus, the team introduced a vibrant 2- x 45-m (6- x 148-ft) suspended graphic installation which harmoniously blends the interior and exterior views, creating a captivating near-far duality.

Beyond the mere functionality of the new office, UNIVESTA has positioned employee well-being at the core of the DIX30 project. As part of this initiative, the new design infuses a broader sense of shared community through the addition of elements, including gathering rooms on the mezzanine level and an outdoor balcony, contributing to an overall balance that includes spaces for knowledge sharing, dining, group celebrations, and connections with nature.