AUDIO-TECHNICA
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PROJECT
- Area: 3178 sq ft
- Interior designer: Cléo Katcho
- City: Longueuil
- Project type: Suite design
- Photographer: Maxime Brouillet
The layout of Audio-Technica‘s new Canadian subsidiary offices located at Libertas III was designed to reflect the minimalist aesthetic of the company’s headquarters in Japan, in accordance with the client’s request. The result is a timeless, understated, and refined space that highlights Audio-Technica’s flagship products, designed by Cléo Katcho’s team.
At the heart of the design is a large space dedicated to displaying the company’s products. Since natural light is rather limited, glass sections were added to the top of the walls to maximize the brightness of the space. In addition, the choice of materials was inspired by nature: light wood, mineral flooring, and integrated plants. Finally, the inclusion of vertical and horizontal slats was a nod to the rhythm and repetition associated with music and, by extension, the high-tech audio products developed by Audio-Technica.
Added to this was the challenge of conceptualizing a cohesive environment in which an office section and common areas, such as the conference room and kitchenette, would be temporarily occupied/shared by a company other than Audio-Technica. This meant designing an environment where Audio-Technica’s core identity was present, without being off-putting to other occupants.
Audio-Technica talks about its new Canadian headquarters
The Audio-Technica project forced us to think about space in terms of both a distinct and collaborative place. Due to its minimalism, we also had to bring out the essence of the company with subtle interventions. Ultimately, this project led to some wonderful collaborations, including one with Kscape, a company that develops innovative audio solutions, to include technology in the conference room that was on par with that developed by our client.