National Bank of Canada (600 de la Gauchetière)

The NBC headquarters is located at 600 de la Gauchetière, at the juncture of Old Montreal and downtown. Looking to showcase its art collection (more than 7,000 diverse pieces), the BNC called on Cardin Julien to integrate an art gallery into the head office’s bank branch.

In order to rise to the challenge of blending these two distinct functions while capitalizing on the space’s full potential, the designers created an open, fluid, dynamic, public space using rich contrasting materials. The combination of wood, stainless steel, reflective ceramic, and the space’s porosity made the art gallery perfect for meandering – an accessible area for employees, passersby, and clients alike.

This project also included a few smaller-scale renovations, such as a redone kitchen, bathrooms, and offices.