UBISOFT WINNIPEG
A wellness-focused workspace in Winnipeg’s Historic Exchange District.
PHOTOGRAPHY Lindsay Reid Photo
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14e édition
Discipline : Interior Design
Categories : Office / Office 5,400 - 54,000 sq.ft. (500 - 5 000 sq. m.) : Bronze Certification
Our design for Ubisoft, the world’s second-largest gaming company, centered on three key themes—wellness, creativity and connection. Their new studio, in Winnipeg’s Historic Exchange District, encourages movement throughout the day, increases impromptu interactions and accomodates the needs of their growing business.
We worked closely with the Winnipeg Historical Society to renovate the space while respecting its storied past and cultural significance. The interior amplifies the existing industrial character of the building and exemplifies the playful nature of Ubisoft’s business. To contextualize the space within the city we designed it through the lens of ‘Manitoba Stories’. We named meeting rooms after local landscapes and created breakout spaces inspired by docking a boat at the lake and looking up at the stars by the fire.
The colour palette of reds, browns, greens and wood is inspired by Manitoba and bolstered by residential details like maximalist wallpaper, soft furnishings and a fireplace. We explored a colour-blocking approach to create distinct, but interconnected areas within the 17,000 square foot space.
The office promotes wellness by blending large, open workspaces that encourage socialising with quiet, cozy areas of reprieve. We added both fixed and adaptive workstations, formal meeting rooms, a podcasting room, breakout spaces and several self-serve cafes. Wall-based alcoves, climbable stair seating and ground based meditative areas encourage Ubisoft’s team to move around the office, take regular breaks, and adjust their working environment as needed.
As a company that celebrates the diversity of their team, it was essential to employ universal design principles, including single-stall bathrooms, to ensure accessibility and comfort for all current and future employees. Furniture had to be high-quality and offer ergonomic support so we chose classic brands like Herman Miller.
Being able to quickly adapt to the needs of the design is something we strive for, and that was evident throughout this project. What initially began as a 3,200 square foot project transformed into a 17,000 square foot expansion. We were able to accommodate this change and curate a spacial story alongside contractors and construction teams that reflects Ubisoft’s mission, vision and principles.
In two phases, we delivered a workspace that exemplifies Ubisoft’s commitment to creating an engaging, wellness-focused office with gaming roots and a nod to Manitoba's cultural heritage.
By incorporating universal design, embracing a gaming narrative, and collaborating with local craftspeople and artists, our team successfully transformed the historic building into a contemporary, WELL-certified space that supports creative expression and innovation in every way.