{"id":576900,"date":"2023-05-31T22:30:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T19:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/inside-googles-super-sustainable-new-montreal-hq\/"},"modified":"2023-05-31T22:30:25","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T19:30:25","slug":"inside-googles-super-sustainable-new-montreal-hq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/inside-googles-super-sustainable-new-montreal-hq\/","title":{"rendered":"#Inside Google\u2019s super-sustainable new Montreal HQ"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n With a giant cafeteria inspired by the open-air Jean-Talon Market\n <\/div>\n
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\u201cIt was important to have a variety of spaces that support different kinds of thinking\u201d (photographs courtesy of Google)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Google laid its roots in Montreal back in 2004, with a grand total of three software developers typing away in a cramped co-working space. Almost two decades later, more than 300 employees now work out of their new five-floor, 100,000-square-foot headquarters in the historic Read Building in Old Montreal\u2019s Paper Hill neighbourhood. They focus on areas including AI research, cybersecurity, Cloud and Chrome in an office space that channels the character of Montreal, paying homage to some of the city\u2019s most iconic neighbourhoods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a caf\u00e9 inspired by a famous open-air market in Little Italy, a Google sign that mimics the historic Farine Five Roses sign that sits atop the Port of Montreal, and a variety of commissioned artworks from local artists\u2014including a custom quilt by Karen Desparois and a whimsical mural by illustrator C\u00e9cile Gari\u00e9py. Sustainability was the primary goal for design architects In Studio, as well as the project\u2019s architectural firms Monarch Design Group and Neuf Architectes. All the bathrooms have low-flow water fixtures, for example, and electric heat pumps minimize energy use. The designers added CO2 sensors to the HVAC systems to infuse the building with plenty of fresh air. There are 117 bicycle parking spots, plus on-site showers and changing rooms for commuters.<\/span><\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0This small-town Quebec home is a retro lover\u2019s paradise\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Fabrice Jaubert, the director of software development and Google Montreal lead, says that it was important to have a variety of spaces that support different kinds of thinking, like partitioned booths for focused work, breakout rooms for collaboration, open spaces for social<\/a> events and a quiet library to unwind. All food, beverages and coffee are free, and staff can get subsidized massages on-site when they\u2019re feeling stressed. There\u2019s also a parenting room with nursing supplies, an in-house fitness centre for lunchtime workouts and a meditation room. Employees are required to go into the headquarters three days a week, and on Thursday afternoons, the whole office gathers in the caf\u00e9 for a social hour called TGIT (\u201cthank goodness it\u2019s Thursday\u201d). Here\u2019s a peek inside the space.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"There\u2019s plenty of space in Le Caf\u00e9 for employees to gather every Thursday, where there\u2019s often a theme<\/a> or celebratory tie-in to the free food and drinks offered (for example: Thanksgiving-inspired cocktails). The complimentary coffee is sourced locally from Rabbit Hole Roasters.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"The food area on the 13<\/span>th<\/span> floor was inspired by Jean-Talon Market, the open-air market in Montreal\u2019s Little Italy. Different sections serve up hot and cold dishes for breakfast and lunch every day, like soups and salads, as well as pizzas and flatbreads made fresh in the kitchen\u2019s own pizza oven.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"Here\u2019s another view of the caf\u00e9. The mural was commissioned from local illustrator C\u00e9cile Gari\u00e9py, who designed it to complement the social space with playful depictions of pedestrians and market-goers.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"The fireplace in the caf\u00e9 isn\u2019t real\u2014faux flames are made from light shining on water vapour.<\/span>
\n\"\"A breakout area like this is often used for spontaneous brainstorming sessions. The fleur-de-lis on the wall is a nod to the Quebec flag.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"The company made sure none of the materials and furniture used were on the \u201cRed List,\u201d a catalogue of harmful chemicals in common construction materials from the International Living Future Institute. The carpet here is carbon neutral, and the fabric panels on the phone room walls are made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled material.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"The meeting rooms named after shipping silos are a nod to the nearby Port of Montreal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"\"At the entrance to the office is a Google sign designed to look like the giant Farine Five Roses sign that\u2019s been a neon-lit fixture at the edge of the Old Port since 1948. The maritime quilt hanging behind the desk was commissioned from local artist Karen Desparois, who often incorporates hidden messages in her work using glow-in-the-dark threads, deconstructed shapes or electronics. This one has an easter egg for visitors to solve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n