ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Pfizer Canada inc. Siège Social in Québec, Canada by Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux ArchitectesFebruary 29th, 2012 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes The Pfizer Canada reconfiguration project makes a very clear statement. The architectural design focuses on promoting the corporate identity of the company located on the Trans-Canada Highway. The strategy is to use the building space in a transparent and expeditious manner through the prominence of glass in the structure in order to open the corporate headquarters to the world. To ensure a corporate image that is solidly embedded in the site, we worked around the idea of blister packs. This important feature of bio-pharmaceutical production is used as the visual key for the completion of the building facade, walls and furnishings.
 Front View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés))
 Exterior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés))
 Exterior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés)) The alveolate structure has been transposed to create an elegant motif displaying a variety of textures that responds to the changing light. The screen openings of the facade reproduce both the scale and the texture of the local brick, which are enriched through a wide range of colors ranging from silver to gold. The blue of the Pfizer logo is also very visible and create a recurring theme; it occurs both on the external facade and in the core of the building. A bond is created between the industrial park, the highway, the company and the building space. Vivid and contemporary, the facades give expression to the unity of the whole. Inside, the redefinition of the site offers brand new, healthy and inspiring work spaces leading the way to a greater economic impact while attracting utmost qualified employees.
 Exterior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés)) Change in culture. The occupancy ratio between common areas and closed offices went from 44/56 to 85/15. Eight hundred and sixty individual work stations have been streamlined and opened up through innovative design to increase productivity and the comfort of users. They focus on intercommunication between employees and an enhanced approach to cooperation. The interconnections are tangible: work, relaxation and service areas have been designed to innovate and optimize the sharing of ideas. All work stations are enclosed by lateral and transversal traffic corridors to ensure fluidity and ease of movement between groups. Physical departmental barriers have been removed in order to promote the social values of the company. Access points offer the possibility of modifying group working areas, particularly in terms of workloads. Flexible and open work areas have been developed as well as private areas, glassed conference areas with a view over the gardens and the work rooms located on the periphery of the working areas. The result of this organization is a fluid ring of traffic. The full redefinition of work functions and qualities for employee work stations ensures that employees will discover new ways to live and work.
 Exterior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés)) The construction materials used, such as clear and opaque glass, aluminum and wood, reflect ambient light to create texture. The distribution and arrangement of these primary materials also highlight the multiple functions of various spaces. The entrance way to the main building offers luminous integration to the new façades which act as curtain walls. Materials were chosen not only for quality and longevity, but also for their technical features and plasticity. The design concept is based on the enhancement and the democratic access to natural light, in order to ensure that it illuminates each work station. The floor plan made possible the generous use of windows to ensure an abundance of natural light and views. All work areas are bright and luminous. The closed offices and conference rooms have windows and are located in the central nucleus of the building in order to benefit as much as possible from borrowed light. Thanks to an open design, most work areas have optimal access to natural light.
 Exterior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés)) MENKÈS SHOONER DAGENAIS LETOURNEUX Architectes A series of significant steps marked the evolution of our agency over almost half a century and led to the establishment of the new firm MENKÈS SHOONER DAGENAIS LETOURNEUX Architectes in 2004. Our projects in the institutional, corporate and cultural domains have established a reputation for excellence. Our expertise is reflected in an even wider array of activity, ranging from housing developments to high technology laboratories. We have vast experience in the management of complex projects and develop practical and aesthetic solutions that benefit users, the environment and the economy alike.
 Interior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés)) Bolstered by 50 years of experience, our agency offers a complete range of services in the architectural domain. Our approach is based on the ability to listen attentively and the desire to provide responses tailored to the clients’ needs. This emphasis on an exchange of views allows us to forge strong and lasting relations with our clients. Our agency has consistently and repeatedly won some of the most prestigious architectural awards, highlighting our team’s talent and know-how.
 Interior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés)) Project leader: Anik Shooner, partner and architect A 1987 graduate of the School of Architecture of the University of Montréal, Anik Shooner co-founded the firm Menkès Shooner Dagenais Architects in 1994. Convinced that the architectural quality of our environment affects our lives, her practice reflects her commitment to sustainable development fully integrated with the search for excellence. Creativity, and a demonstrated knowledge and mastery of each architectural project characterize her professional approach. Ms. Shooner’s career has featured projects hailed by the architectural community.
 Interior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés)) Principal designer: Jean-Pierre LeTourneux – partner and architect A 1983 graduate of the School of Architecture of the University of Laval, in 1989 Jean-Pierre LeTourneux founded the firm Dupuis LeTourneux Architectes, which today operates under the name of Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architectes. His capacity to understand urban issues, his deep-seated knowledge of construction, and his talent as a designer help to drive the agency.
 Interior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés))  Interior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés))  Interior View (Images Courtesy Stéphane Groleau (photos de projet) Laurence Labat (photos d’associés))
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