The mandate given to Folio Design for the design of the new offices of Van Berkom - Global Asset Management was ambitious. The goal was not only to redefine the layout, but also to establish a strong visual identity that fully reflects their expertise, while ensuring the sustainability and longevity of the spaces created.
Van Berkom et Associés excels in equity management, placing family values at the heart of its mission. With a rigorous commitment to an investment philosophy focused on small caps and recognition for its skilled and passionate team, the company achieves exceptional performance, generating considerable loyalty from both clients and employees.
The human factor was central throughout the project, with a project team attentive to employee well-being. Folio Design successfully understood and translated the client's needs into a unifying design on a human scale. The new workspaces reflect the rigor and exemplary expertise of Van Berkom et Associés, a globally recognized firm. The cultural harmony and pride of the team inspired Folio Design to create a representative concept.
Working in a rather conventional professional sphere, the clients at Van Berkom et Associés aimed to offer users a private and enclosed office, an approach uncommon in current design trends. Despite the more traditional nature of the spatial planning, our vision was to instill fluidity and provide access to the majestic views offered by the 25th floor of a prestigious office tower in the heart of downtown.
One of the challenges was therefore to create a space offering clear openness and fluidity despite a largely partitioned space. The resulting plan creates an immediate connection with nature upon entry, obscuring the building's distinctive angular shape thanks to a clever layout strategy. Each office, fully glazed, once again offers breathtaking views and access to the outdoors for all occupants.
Upon entering, one discovers custom architectural integrations resulting from careful consideration of form, volumes, and materials. A marble block adorned with the client's logo is carefully integrated into the glass partition, which is itself integrated into the architectural woodwork of the banquette and coffee area. This glass partition, both safe and aesthetic, blends perfectly with its surroundings, providing a clear view of Mount Royal.
The vast architectural wall, accented in green, cleverly conceals the usual storage required at the reception area while also integrating the waiting area. Noble materials, such as wood and marble, blend with the green accent, creating a strong identity that inspires confidence for this renowned asset management firm. Additionally, the designers opted for the use of noble materials such as marble, wood, and glass, revisited in a contemporary way to reinforce the fluidity and linearity of the plan.
This reinterpretation of classic materials also helps to highlight the brand image, values, and vision of Van Berkom et Associés. As a family business that has prospered over time thanks to its rigor and inventiveness, this approach embodies the quality and innovation of the brand in the designed space.
