Office Install Honoured for Innovative Use of Flooring

What looks like the headquarters of a foreign big tech firm in Montreal, is actually home to a national pride — Alithya. Its roots date back 30 years to Quebec City, when it was founded by 11 former Desjardins employees and first known as CIA (Conseillers en informatique d’affaires). Since then, it has grown to more than 2,000 highly qualified professionals that are dedicated to helping their clients across Canada, the United States and Europe through essential decision-making processes regarding strategic planning, change management, systems evolution, operational processes and more.

In 2019, local architectural firm Lemay was retained to reimagine all of Alithya’s offices in Canada. This involved the creation of a workplace strategy, which led to the implementation of a new design concept across its four locations in Quebec and Ontario. All sites now feature the same well-executed environment as the company’s new flagship office in Montreal.

Committed to workplace efficiency, Alithya wanted an open plan layout to allow for employee interaction, as well as areas for private discussions. To achieve this balance and maintain an airy feel, glass walls were used for ‘enclosed’ rooms.

Flooring was employed to demarcate areas to be used for less formal interaction. These ‘breakout’ zones prominently feature blue cushion-backed carpet tile by Milliken, which abuts modular carpet from the company’s MotionScape collection. Used throughout the space, the fluidity in the neutral patterned soft floor covering adds energy to the corporate office environment. Green carpet tile can be found in meeting rooms and the employee ‘lounge,’ which is outfitted with a large flat screen TV, foosball table and comfy seating for staff to relax. The blue and green carpet tile takes its cue from Alithya’s branding. These colours are repeated elsewhere, including on elevator doors, furniture, custom graphics and signage, and as accents on walls.

Common areas like the front entry reception and kitchenette feature wood-look ceramic flooring. The existing polished concrete was retained in the cafeteria to impart a more industrial feel. The bright, shiny finish has a reflective quality, amplifying the light in the space to improve mood, energy and alertness.

Flooring work was carried out by local supplier and installation company, Couvre-Planchers Labrosse. With the pandemic disrupting supply chains, the company’s close proximity to the project allowed for it to proceed without delay.

Alithya garnered Couvre-Planchers Labrosse a silver 2021 Starnet Design Award in the newly created category, Canadian Project of the Year. The annual competition honours outstanding projects completed by Starnet membership in partnership with architects, designers and Starnet aligned manufacturing partners.

Doriane Labrosse is director of corporate development at Couvre-Planchers Labrosse in Montreal. Operating since 1978, the third-generation family business is an expert in the sale, installation and maintenance of commercial flooring. Doriane can be reached at 514-237-4261.