Manon Gauthier, Ville de Montréal’s Executive Committee member responsible for culture, heritage, design, Space for Life and the status of women, announced the winners of the Commerce Design Montréal’s Prix Frédéric-Metz and Prix du public. Created on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Commerce Design Montréal Awards, the first Prix Frédéric-Metz was presented to Boulangerie Guillaume, honouring the vision of its owner Guillaume Vaillant and the work of
L. McComber Ltée architects and Atelier Chinotto graphic designers. The Prix du public (People’s Choice Award) was presented to Maison Simons in Anjou, designed by LemayMichaud and Figure3, based on results of voting that took place between May 11 and August 31.

“For 20 years, the Commerce Design Montréal Awards have helped raise the profile of Quebec designers and architects and provided a unique window on the city’s businesses. Thanks to these awards, all the creativity and design talent in Quebec continues to be recognized and honoured. Congratulations to the winners of the Prix Frédéric-Metz and the Prix du public, who have distinguished themselves by their originality, boldness and quality of work,” says Hélène David, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language.

“By participating in the creation of the Prix Frédéric-Metz, Ville de Montréal wished to pay tribute to a passionate and talented man who contributed greatly to shaping design in Quebec and left an indelible mark on the teaching of the discipline. As with the Prix du public, the purpose of the award is to raise awareness among Montrealers about the importance of quality design and architecture and to showcase businesses that have distinguished themselves with bold, innovative and creatively designed premises,” says Manon Gauthier.

Boulangerie Guillaume, 2015 Prix Frédéric-Metz

Created by Ville de Montréal, the Société des designers graphiques du Québec (SDGQ) and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in honour of Frédéric Metz, this award recognizes a business from among the winners of the 20 jury awards whose design concept (interior, graphic) is seamlessly integrated, inspiring and efficient, makes life easier, elevates beauty, function and meaning, facilitates experience and brings added value to daily life.

“We had a duty to find a way of commemorating the defining figure of Quebec design that Frédéric Metz was, and this award is a fitting tribute. We owe a great deal to this passionate teacher who advocated for the development of the graphic design section at the university and the promotion of design in Quebec,” explains Louise Poissant, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at UQAM.

The jury, chaired by Nathalie Bondil, Director and Chief Curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, had the following to say about the winner. “Designed by architects L. McComber Ltée, Boulangerie Guillaume invites customers to watch the baker at work and take part in transforming flour into bread. Responding to the challenge, the design has an unobstructed view, opening up the area between where the product is displayed and where it is made. With its simple look highlighted by a bold graphic expertly integrated by Atelier Chinotto, the bakery successfully breaks out of the mould of a more conventional image of a bakery.”

Originally opened in a tiny space on Fairmount Avenue East, the new bakery moved in 2014, tripling its production capacity and becoming an “overnight” success. The bakery’s friendly atmosphere has won over employees and continues to draw an ever-expanding clientele.

The winners were presented with the award featuring a magenta ring reflecting the “Metz” personality, an original design by industrial designer Claude Mauffette symbolizing commerce and design in harmony and interaction.

A video was produced for the occasion by Gabriel Lajournade and Amélia Blondin, two graduating students in the communication arts program at UQAM, under the direction of Philippe Lamarre, the outgoing president of the Société des designers graphiques du Québec. In it, Metz’s closest collaborators and friends speak of their friendship and admiration for his work and the legacy he left for future generations. Watch this moving tribute here.

Simons in Anjou, 2015 People’s Choice Award

During the “Vote with your eyes!” campaign held from May 11 to August 31,
close to 9,000 people cast their votes for their favourite business from among the 20 award-winning establishments. Participants’ names were entered into a random draw for gift cards totalling $2,000 in purchases at several of the winning businesses. Simons in Anjou was declared the winner of the 2015 People’s Choice Award with close to 2,000 votes.

“With the work of LemayMichaud and Figure3, Simons in Anjou is huge, yet it has an intimate feel conducive to strolling among the aisles of clothing. Customer traffic is well managed, guiding shoppers further into the store. The brightly coloured service counters add a lively note to the shiny surfaces and serve as reference points. Finding a retail space of such quality in a shopping centre confirms the respect that the brand has for its customers,” noted the jury during its selection process.

Commerce Design Montréal Awards

Commerce Design Montréal is a design awareness program aimed at the business community and managed by the Bureau du design, in collaboration with Ville de Montréal’s commercial development team. Funded by Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec under the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal, the program helps fulfill the City’s mission of enhancing the value of its territory and contributing to its economic and cultural development.

Information: commercedesignmontreal.com

Photos: designmontreal.photoshelter.com (password: CDM2015)

https://www.facebook.com/designmontreal

https://twitter.com/DesignMontreal

https://www.youtube.com/designmtl

#designmtl