DANONE

In 2022, Danone Canada began transforming several floors of its Boucherville headquarters in collaboration with Boum Architecture and EMBLM. From needs assessment to furniture and finishes selection, the goal was to adapt the spaces to more flexible and collaborative work modes while staying true to Danone’s DNA of innovation and wellness. The result: a versatile, scalable environment that reflects the company’s human-centered vision.

A close collaboration with Artopex led to the development of custom D-shaped height-adjustable tables designed specifically to meet the needs of Danone Canada’s meeting rooms — a unique solution combining flexibility, ergonomics, and aesthetics.

A Global Leader with Strong Roots in Québec

For over a century, Danone has been a pioneer in health and nutrition. With over 100,000 employees across more than 55 countries and products distributed in over 120 markets worldwide, the company’s Canadian headquarters in Boucherville reflects its commitment to local innovation with global reach.

EMBLM’s Mandate

– Select furniture adaptable to evolving needs
– Integrate ergonomic and scalable solutions
– Strategically reuse existing elements
– Create differentiated environments tailored to work styles

A Large-Scale Project in Multiple Phases 

EMBLM’s mandate began in February 2022 with full support in identifying Danone’s needs and selecting suitable furniture. Artopex’s Axel product — known for its flexibility and customizable panels — was quickly identified as a strategic choice.

Multiple proposals were submitted over several months, supported by a showroom visit during the 2022 holiday season with the client and key users. After testing various ergonomic chairs, the team selected a model from Bouty that had been approved prior to the pandemic.

One Project, Three Main Zones

2nd Floor: An Open and Dynamic Space

Part of the first furniture order placed in February 2023, the second floor was almost entirely furnished with new pieces and designed as an open, dynamic, and agile space. Most workstations are unassigned, reflecting a commitment to flexibility.

Features include:

– Single and dual monitor arms from Humanscale
– A few lounge chairs from the previous layout
– Height-adjustable tables
– Artopex Axel panels

3rd Floor: A Space for Focus and Tranquility

To align with budgetary constraints, existing workstations were preserved, but the floor benefited from targeted enhancements:

– Screen positioning was optimized for improved visibility
– Higher panels were retained to maintain a calm atmosphere
– New ergonomic chairs were introduced
– Meeting rooms were revamped with custom D-shaped tables by Artopex

Executive Area: Adaptive and Strategic

Private offices were redesigned as executive meeting rooms, each outfitted with height-adjustable tables — a dynamic solution inspired by Danone’s Toronto office layouts. These spaces support both strategic discussions and flexible posture changes throughout the day.

Targeted Enhancements to Support Day-to-Day Operations

In a later phase, factory offices were also updated with the same ergonomic and modular standards, notably through the integration of height-adjustable workstations.

Additionally, lockers were installed in several departments to better organize their respective spaces. Designed for engineering, nursing, training, and other specific teams, these additions addressed concrete storage and circulation needs — helping streamline organization and daily efficiency.

Conclusion 

This redesign project, initiated in 2022 and completed in summer 2024, demonstrates Danone Canada’s ability to evolve thoughtfully, in alignment with new ways of working and the real needs of its teams. Through a gradual, collaborative, and user-focused approach, the workspaces were transformed to foster flexibility, ergonomics, and performance.

This alignment — both human and strategic — resulted in a layout that honors Danone’s identity: a company that takes care of people, even through its work environments.