Burovision makes its mark in Ottawa

project

Design for the expansion and complete renovations of Burovision's working showroom in Ottawa, Canada

In 2015, FOR. designed Burovision’s first showroom in Canada’s national capital. Eight years later, after a pandemic and the merger of Knoll with Herman Miller, Burovision has doubled its space, positioning itself as a leader in office furniture. They entrusted FOR. with the mission of creating the work environments of tomorrow—spaces that resonate with new realities, reintegrate employees into the office, enhance productivity by tailoring environments to tasks, and set an example for the industry.

In a single 7,000 sq. ft. longitudinal space, FOR. presents 21 vignettes, each with a distinct ambiance, landmarks, and functions. From the moment you enter, a story begins to unfold… An Unfolding Story.

The narrative starts as soon as you step out of the elevator, where striking statements and iconic designs set the tone for the experience. Past the imposing scarlet-red arch (MillerKnoll’s signature color), a grand plaza reveals a tree reaching toward a skylight—actually, an optical illusion created by a backlit stretched ceiling. This is the Plaza, a welcoming area reminiscent of a hotel lobby, where ideas bloom over coffee, celebrations are held and danced, secrets are whispered, and connections are forged.

Here, FOR. draws inspiration from Japanese design, placing nature at the heart of the concept. The interplay of mineral and organic elements is expressed through materials like cast concrete with exposed aggregates, soft felt, natural wool, and bamboo-like carpet. Continuing the Japanese influence, FOR. emphasizes verticality to break up the length of the space, using a continuous rhythm of wooden slats, folded felt, and lightboxes. The broad passageway acts as a spine uniting the zones and allows for multiple visual openings to the outside. Natural light becomes an architectural element, sculpting the environment.

In this luminous setting, more than 30 work configurations are showcased, serving both clients and Burovision employees. The strategic layout enables the selection of spaces tailored to specific needs—focusing, discussing, brainstorming, writing, presenting, collaborating, or simply unwinding.

Around the Plaza, informal conversations take place on a circular bench, lounge seating, a long wooden table, and a coffee counter. Farther along, two enclosed rooms are designed for in-depth presentations and discussions, featuring stools, ergonomic chairs, and emerald cushions.

A library/kitchen/café corner and an eclectic mosaic of artwork accompany a massive all-white island, ready to host caterers for special events, lunch & learns, work sessions, and presentations. At the back, the conference room resembles a cozy dining space, furnished with timeless classics from Knoll and Herman Miller, such as the Eames Lounge Chair and an original Poul Cadovius bookshelf. It features a telescopic sliding door system, where opening and closing create quite a spectacle. Traditional workstations remain a staple, but with a twist—collaboration corners, discussion tables, planters, and individual and group booths punctuate the layout.

To this day, many wonder whether it’s better to work at the office or from home. The real question is: what is the best space for the task at hand? Here, all the answers are provided.

Photos: Stéphane Brügger

products, materials and finishes

1. Concrete flooring: Ardex
2. Wood flooring: Unik
3. Rubber flooring: Mondo
4. Carpet: Mohawk & Interface
5. Paint: Benjamin Moore
6. Felt: FilzFelt & Ezobord
7. Vinyl and branding: PowrStudio
8. Stretched canvas: Barrisol
9. Architectural lighting fixtures: Au Courant
10. Decorative lighting fixtures: Hay, Muuto, and Herman Miller, distributed by Burovision
11. Meeting room light fixture: Lambert & Fils
12. Countertops: Corian
13. Millwork: Falkbuilt, Lobello
14. Laminate: Falkbuilt, Fenix
15. Ceramics: Stonetile
16. Plumbing and sanitary fixtures: Blanco

furniture and walls

1. Furniture: Knoll, Herman Miller, Framery, Muuto, Hay, Andrey Worls, Bisley, distributed by Burovision
2. Movable walls: Falkbuilt
3. Tree: Planterra