Header: Alex Lesage
As the name itself implies, Bistro Siège Social and Café Social are conceived as something between a café, bistro, and a social space. Located at 1111 Saint-Charles Street West in the Canadian city of Longueuil, the renovation of the spaces was commissioned by Groupe Mercille and PR Desjardins.
Bistro Siège Social and Café Social
The new space extends within the lobby of the existing office tower. Located in the building that followed architectural codes of the 1960s and 1970s, the design reinterprets strict characteristics of the period and translates them into a warm, hospital venue. Spanning over 2,300 square feet, the layout is organised around two spaces.
Located in the extension of the common corridor, the Café Social is a lively, vivid transitional space. On the other hand, the Siège Social bistro expands through the terrace and forecourt, serving as an informal “head office” of the area, perfect for meetings, gatherings, and meals.
Unifying material theme and colour palette
The coherence of the project has been achieved through a strong material theme. Square white ceramic tiles have been used on both vertical surfaces and built-in furniture. A walnut wall filters the light through glass openings, thus creating a delicate separation, while maintaining a visual dialogue between the bistro and the café. The atmospheres are enhanced by the precision of colours and materials. Mustard tones in the café are interrupted with dark wood finishes, while the bistro boasts an enveloping terracotta palette accompanied by light wood, deep greens, and integrated greenery.
Photo credit: Alex Lesage
Photo credit: Alex Lesage
Social hubs in the workplace
Light helps determine the identity of the space. Dim-to-warm system creates the evolving atmosphere that changes from morning to night. Inspired by vertical blinds common in office environments, the suspended ceiling creates an attentive spatial experience through rhythm and depth. For the clients, Groupe Mercille, the project is just a part of revitalisation efforts, turning the tower from an office space into a space open to the public.
Bistro Siège Social and Café Social engage with users in the surrounding and the university community nearby. Welcoming interplay between architecture and interior design evokes a new sense of sociability in the workplace. A clever reinterpretation of office codes turned the project into a hybrid, contemporary, and friendly space.
Photo credit: Alex Lesage
Photo credit: Alex Lesage
blanchette archi.design
blanchette architecture design is an architecture and interior design firm based in Montreal. Founded by Patrick Blanchette and Kevin Lavigne, the company combines efficiency, design, and well-being to create living and working environments tailored to its clients’ needs. Their collaborative approach, centred on tangible results, is accompanied by a practice rooted in real estate development, user experience, and durable architectural sensibility. Mostly active in designing residential, hospitality, and retail projects, the company now has three partners and 30 design professionals.
Technical sheet
Project Name: Café and Bistro Siège Social
Client / Developer: Groupe Mercille
General Contractor: PR Desjardins
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering: Pageau Morel
Operator: SUPER.
Architectural Lighting: EDP
Dynamic Lighting and Sound Design: Moog Audio
Ceramic tile – flooring (restaurant): Ramacieri Soligo, Cotto finish,
Large forma Ceramic tile – vertical surfaces and built-in millwork: Daltile, Natural Hues Travertine-look porcelain: Dekton (Pietra Kode TK06 Marmorio Wood-look high-pressure laminates: FINSA
Wood wall cladding: Koroseal – Random Walnut Plank
Textiles: LUUM, Ennis Fabric, Architex Threadcount
Decorative lighting fixtures: Nemo Lighting
