Client: Speedware Corporation
Start up date: June 1997
Completion date: December 1997
Design team: Principals-in-charge: John Apostolis , Catherine Natlacen
Design team: Aimée-Jill Bradley , Roxane Matte
Technician: Agostino Ambrosio
Engineers: Tecsult (mechanical and electrical)
Contractors: Jemlor Construction; Azar Construction
Consultants: Focus (furniture systems)
Signage: Rick Ullman

Preliminary 3-D renderings


Project description:

A 32, 000 square foot office for Speedware Corporation, a growing firm that specializes in developing tools for software application development.

A commercial building in the industrial sector of Ville St-Laurent along Trans-Canada Highway was selected by the client. This area is a popular sector for many new and established software developing corporations.

Two entire floors of 9999 Cavendish were to be completely gutted, including all existing mechanical systems, plumbing, etc… The previous tenant, Tioxide, a toxic waste management company, had left behind numerous traces of contaminants throughout the building, necessitating a complete and thorough clean-up.


Program and design challenge:

To create a high profile "customer" area; (reception, conference room, waiting area, visitor area), introducing clients to the firm, it’s products, and services.

To provide a creative, and imaginative solution to the company’s "call center", which provides full time support for all it’s products.

To create unique identities for the company’s different departments; Documentation, Research and Development, Support, Management, Accounting , Administration, etc…

To integrate the two floors through a central stairway allowing efficient interaction between the company’s employees.


Design Solutions:

Immediately to the right of the main entrance is where the formal reception is located. The conference room and the "call center" were strategically positioned sequentially, allowing new clients and visitors to be directed through an informative tour of the company’s operations.

Controlled use of modern and traditional materials, colours, and elements such as wood, metal, glass, and granite guided the design process. Various combinations of solid and patterned carpets were also used.

Click on plan to enlarge image

1- Reception 2- Visitor's Center 3- Executive 4- Sales
5- Marketing 6- Logistics 7- Customer Services
8- Finess Center 9- Services

The "visitor orientation " center, designed around a circular staircase, is where the company’s products and services are displayed. Laminated suspended panels, supported by steel cables, and sandwiched between panes of three quarter inch tempered glass showcase various aspects of the firm’s corporate culture. This area also serves as a reading lounge for the entire staff.

Although the "visitor" area is also visible through double glass doors near the main entrance, the only access to this space is via a guided tour by one of the company’s employees.

The second floor, seldom seen by the public, provides a comfortable environment for the majority of the employees, including Management and Development staff. The Computer room, the company’s nervous system , is also located on the second floor.


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