ADHOC has completed a vibrant and meticulously detailed boutique interior for Les Chocolats de Chloé in Montreal, Canada, creating a dynamic space that translates the precision and artistry of chocolate-making into a striking architectural design. Far removed from the city’s traditionally restrained commercial spaces, this project is defined by its playful colour palette and a highly modular design that allows the shop to completely transform with the seasons.
The design team—comprising ADHOC alongside collaborators maubau studio, Eliova Construction, and Mesure lab—conceived the space using the chocolatier’s process as its primary inspiration. The central motif is the square, a powerful symbol representing the artisanal boxes used for packaging the hand-made ganaches. This geometric language dictates the overall layout, establishing modularity and flexibility as foundational pillars of the commercial interior design.
The concept is articulated through stages of confectionery creation, starting with ‘Molding’. This step is mirrored by a finely crafted square grid system, realized in lacquered metal and seamlessly integrated into the custom-molded display surfaces. This mechanism provides a sleek, functional solution for attaching tools and decorative elements, enabling the rapid reconfiguration of the shop. This ensures a clean, minimal aesthetic is maintained, even as the store adapts to changing retail demands.
Next, the ‘Slicing’ process—where slabs of ganache are uniformly divided—inspires the shop’s operational flexibility. The sophisticated grid system is central to this adaptability, allowing staff to swiftly modify the entire store layout in response to peak commercial periods or the launch of a new collection. This flexible display system is key to maintaining continuous visibility for new products while simplifying the intervention required for thematic changes.
A striking sensory dimension is achieved through ‘Enrobing’ and ‘Decorating’. The exterior of the main counter and primary display units features a restrained, neutral finish, intentionally contrasted by vibrant interior colours. This evokes the meticulous precision of chocolate enrobing, where a thin protective layer reveals an intense flavour within. The aesthetic is completed by red accents and a distinctive tubular suspended structure that integrates both architectural lighting and signage, providing a bold visual marker that echoes the brand’s playful graphic identity.
The limited floor plate was fully optimized by carefully choreographing the customer’s route. The large reception counter both separates the client area from the production workspace and puts the finished creations in the spotlight. Crucially, a transparent glass partition divides the streamlined kitchen from the colourful retail area. This design choice highlights the artisanal craftsmanship and production reality without compromising the required hygiene standards or disrupting the workflow, effectively putting the ‘magic’ of the chocolate-making on display.
This highly successful design partnership has culminated in a playful, immersive atmosphere that deliberately contrasts with the subdued palette often found in contemporary Montreal retail design. The project’s cohesive spatial universe, which skillfully merged functional needs with an imaginative brand identity, has been recognized by the industry, receiving three Gold certifications and the Grand Winner award for Interior Design + Collaboration at the Grands Prix du Design 2025. It stands as a brilliant example of how a collaborative, process-driven design approach can elevate a simple purchase into a memorable, sensory experience.