At its heart, 1001 Robert-Bourassa is designed to bring people together. Formerly a conventional and nondescript lobby, Gensler’s design expands and transforms the space into an immersive destination, capable of functioning as an event venue for up to 300 people, and of fostering community, wellness, and collaboration.
To encourage human interaction and reflect the spirit of the city, tiered seating—inspired by the topography of Mount Royal—beckons visitors to scale the “mountain” for a moment of reprieve, to meet a friend or work colleague, and to experience the space from an elevated vantage point.
To transport visitors to “not just another lobby”, Gensler collaborated with Moment Factory to layer into the design a series of multimedia features—including a large LED digital wall, spatialized soundscapes, and bubble-clustered chandeliers—that inspire feelings of wellness and wonder.
This 30 year old Toronto office tower lobby was a series of dark, awkward spaces lacking a clear flow of movement before the design team transformed it into a modern memorable space through a skillful reconfiguration of the architecture and the insertion of several statement-making elements. The furnishings and finish choices offer a timeless aesthetic that will ensure the space looks fresh for many years to come.
Interior Designer: Inger Bartlett, ARIDO
Design Firm: Bartlett & Associates
Photographer: Tom Arban
We were tasked with repositioning the building as a desirable location, attracting vibrant, youthful companies as new tenants and transforming the lobby from a utilitarian transition space into a tenant amenity. The design solution needed to enhance the functionality and accessibility of the lobby and bring a fresh, modern look to a 1980s office tower.
Upon entrance to the lobby interior, the wow factor of the towering screen combined with contrasting colours and textures create a sense of drama to stand out to prospective tenants.
The custom perforated metal screen is a singular feature that instantly transforms the space. It’s not just a great piece of art for the lobby, but it also functions as a visual marker drawing visitors in the right direction once they step inside. The lobby was formerly a series of awkward annexes with no clear path beyond the bulky reception desk which felt like a blockade. Drawing the eye upwards, the screen also establishes a new vertical axis and emphasizes the 30 foot ceilings.
A dynamic art piece, an anchor for the desk, and an acoustic intervention, the screen also defines the elevator bay and masks a bulkhead wall above. The sleek black coating is contrasted by an adjacent textured white wall, its three-dimensional surface capturing light and shadow in a manner that evokes a rippling body of water.
The calming biophilic references continue with the flooring, which includes visually textured carpet and ceramic slabs in stony greys. Marble-like tiles were chosen for their scale – their vast three-by-nine-foot span makes the lobby feel larger.
An injection of colour is finally added in the public café, a cozy space created by opening up an unused storage room. Defined by a high-back banquette in striking red upholstery, it’s an ideal space for tenants to eat lunch, or hold impromptu meetings. The café is crowned by a series of walnut slats that serve both to enhance acoustics and to hide mechanical systems.
At the center of the main lobby space are two smartly tailored back-to-back lounge areas, introducing a vibe that feels more akin to a hospitality setting than an office tower. An amenity for visitors and employees alike, the lobby is more than just a transition area, it’s a flexible space that supports a range of activities, from quiet breaks to company events, that is also completely barrier free and accessible.
