A challenging project in a 100-year-old building

This project consisted of creating a co-working space in a 100-year-old-building located in downtown Matane. Working on such an old building was not without challenges, such as bringing the building up to code and strengthening the structure. Habitat was tasked with creating a co-working space with a capacity of 100 people, including seven closed offices, a semi-private studio with a capacity of eight people, two conference rooms, a terrace, a kitchenette and a small lounge area. The co-working space was developed above a stationery store in what had formerly been accommodation units. Our main challenge was structural: we needed to level the floors, rebuild the roof, strengthen the building’s structure from the basement up, and construct the offices. The co-working space is one of our favourite projects; it has provided a functional, contemporary space that is safe, welcoming and meets today’s standards.