Simons Campus - Distribution Centre, Offices and Studio

From the start, it was clear to the project team that the Simons Campus should evoke the essence and values of Maison Simons. “The client was open to the idea right away, and gave us a lot of freedom to transpose the Simons brand identity into a sophisticated and eloquent architectural form,” recounts Jerry Coviensky, Senior Partner and Project Director at GKC.

In its choice of materials and colors, its overall structure and its relationship with the surrounding natural environment, the Simons Campus is designed to symbolize the company's culture and values, while promoting teamwork and employee well-being. As such, every component of the project has been carefully thought-out and rigorously executed.

The inspiration for the building's design is closely linked to fashion, the foundation of Maison Simons' business, and particularly emphasizes the symbolism of weaving and sculpting. It is characterized by clean lines and a contemporary, refined appearance.

The front office space unites two superimposed volumes, one solid, the other clad in glass, evoking the transformation of raw material into a finished, woven product. The solid volume is structured to create an impression of weightlessness to illustrate creative thinking. Its charcoal-coloured aluminum panels form a vibrant play of light and shadow, symbolizing the effervescence of artistic conception. Meanwhile, the glazed volume represents the end product of the weaving process: more appeasing, its spaces are bathed in natural light.

The distribution center, located behind the office space, is distinguished by light-coloured concrete exterior walls adorned with a pattern of intertwining wires that create a subtle texture suggesting a high-tech environment and the high-speed data processing typical of e-commerce.

The project is based on bioclimatic design principles, harnessing solar orientation and bioenergy to enhance indoor comfort. As a result, the office space is south facing to maximize natural light while also creating a pleasant and welcoming view for employees and visitors alike.

The warehouse portion is positioned in the background to maintain aesthetic  balance and enlivened by recesses, large windows and noble materials. The graphics on the façade’s concrete panels make it an architectural element in its own right, a far cry from conventional box-like warehouses. The loading docks are positioned on the west side, at the rear of the building, so they are not visible from the street and its residents, but also to block out the noise of trucks coming and going.

To optimize movement between the offices and the distribution center, the project team devised a main artery and direct natural interior pathways that create a dynamic, efficient and versatile working environment at the human scale. The orientations and interior layout are designed to offer collaborative spaces bathed in natural light, allowing occupants to gather, collaborate and connect throughout the building.

Cohesion between nature and architecture was achieved with the exterior landscape and parking areas blending harmoniously with the surrounding natural environment, while minimizing the complex's impact on the surrounding woodlands. Particular care was also taken to select environmentally friendly and renewable materials, and to optimize the building's energy performance and efficiency so it can minimize its environmental footprint. This approach aligns with standards equivalent to LEED® certification.