Parade Studios
Parade Studios
Ivy Studio
ARCHITECTS
Ivy Studio
PHOTOGRAPHS
Alex Lesage
DESIGN TEAM
Gabrielle Rousseau, David Kirouac, Guillaume B. Riel, Philip Staszewski
LOCATION
Montréal, Canada
CATEGORY
Mixed Use Architecture, Office Buildings
Text description provided by architect.
Nestled on St-Hubert Plaza in the vibrant Rosemont neighborhood, Parade Studios has transformed a two-story industrial printer building into a dynamic hub for creativity.
The renovated space seamlessly blends professional functionality with a quirky, colorful design that reflects the energy of its team and clientele. The building's façade remains largely unchanged, maintaining the charm of its commercial roots.
However, the rear façade tells a different story: large openings flood the interior with natural light, particularly on the second floor, where the Parade team works. The entrance sets the tone with tiled flooring bearing the studio's name a modest yet personal touch.
On the ground floor, Parade Studios offers state-of-the-art facilities for artists. Two professional recording studios and a pair of rentable production rooms cater to the diverse needs of Montreal's creative community.
This floor embraces a darker aesthetic, with blacked-out hallways ensuring privacy and focus. Inside the studios, walls clad in velvet panels enhance acoustics while evoking a retro charm.
A mix of wood elements and mid-century furniture complements the design, creating a cozy, inspiring atmosphere. Thoughtfully integrated lighting options add to the mood, ensuring artists feel both comfortable and inspired.
The second floor serves as the office space for Parade's team and offers a sharp contrast to the moodiness below. Designed to maximize brightness, this floor features cream-painted walls and light wood flooring, enhancing the abundance of natural light.
A new skylight above the lounge brings sunlight to the building's core, illuminating the open desk area, two call rooms, a conference room, and a kitchen. The workspace is framed by glazed partitions, allowing uninterrupted sightlines from one end to the other.
The design includes playful touches that set the tone for a creative and welcoming environment. The conference room, for instance, is fully enveloped in light blue, from walls and furniture to carpeting, creating a vibrant, cocoon-like space for collaboration.
Beneath the skylight, a two-tiered banquette with integrated seating and plants provides a cozy spot for informal meetings. The kitchen is hidden behind an arched wall, with a striking blue-tiled counter extending outward to double as a café bar.
Parade's signature style comes alive in these juxtapositions: the openness and light of the upper floor contrast with the intimacy and depth of the ground floor, representing the dual needs of creativity and focus.
