As holiday’s magic settles all around the city, and cravings for sweetness, warmth, and comfort return, a meticulously custom-designed chocolate shop adds a new layer of indulgence to Montreal’s gourmet landscape. Designed to engage the senses, this one-of-a-kind boutique becomes the ultimate destination to experience chocolate’s charm. This boutique is a welcoming place where children and adults can rediscover the wonder of childhood.
In collaboration with maubau studio, Eliova Construction, and Mesure lab, ADHOC imagined a versatile space that evolves across changing seasons. The boutique was envisioned the same way chocolate is crafted: artisanal, delicate, and shaped by a shared passion for creation.
A design inspired by the artisanal chocolate-making process
The square, symbolizing the box that holds the artisanal ganaches made on-site, becomes a central motif of the interior architecture, expressing both modularity and flexibility, two key pillars of their creative process.
Molding consists of creating an imprint that becomes a mold into which ganache is poured to produce multiple identical pieces. This step inspired a modular square grid that structures the boutique’s layout in a flexible and functional way. Made of lacquered metal, this grid, incorporated into a custom-molded surface, provides a practical solution for hanging tools and decorative elements to be attached quickly while maintaining a clean, refined aesthetic.
Slicing refers to dividing slabs of ganache into neat and uniform pieces that reveal the precision of the artisanal gesture. The flexible grid system allows the team to easily adapt the store’s layout according to seasons and peak commercial moments. With just a few adjustments, the space can be reconfigured to highlight a new collection or fit a specific theme without major renovations or complex interventions, while ensuring continuous visibility for new products.
Enrobing is the process of coating ganaches with a thin layer of chocolate that protects, softens, and enhances the piece. The subtle exterior of the main counter and the neutral display units are contrasted with vibrant interior colors, evoking the meticulous precision of chocolate enrobing, reinforcing the sensory dimension of the space. The square pattern and red accents create visual coherence, thus affirming a warm yet playful identity.
Decorating, the final decorative touch that elevates a piece of chocolate and makes it unique. It takes place through a tubular suspended structure that integrates architectural lighting and signage. This bold color accent echoes the brand’s graphic universe and the imaginative dreams of its customers.
To fully optimize the limited space, the customer’s route through the boutique was carefully designed. The reception counter not only separates the client area from the workspace, but also highlights the boutique’s signature chocolate creations. This concept showcases the production process without revealing every detail: a large glass partition divides the streamlined kitchen from the colorful shop, sparking curiosity while preserving the workflow. This transparent partition highlights the craftsmanship, while maintaining the hygiene and discretion required behind the scenes.
A playful and festive world, perfect for the season
As the holiday season approaches, this boutique emerges as a must-visit destination, offering a world of bright colors, warm textures, and sweet aromas. The experience recalls the magical moments of opening chocolate boxes with anticipation and admiring festive storefronts that light up the eyes.
With its integrated approach to commercial interior design, this chocolate boutique stands out through its playful, immersive atmosphere, contrasting with the more neutral boutiques typically seen in Montreal. It invites visitors to slow down, savour… and let the magic awaken their inner child.
An artisanal and collaborative project celebrated by the industry
Developed with maubau studio, and inspired by the creative passion of Chloé and her team, the concept emerged from a genuine exchange where each contributor brought their expertise, sensibilities, and vision. Together, functional needs were shaped into a cohesive spatial universe, vibrant, flexible, and true to its identity.
The chocolatier shared her artisanal process, inspirations, and colorful imagination, while the design teams translated these elements into a modular, playful, and highly personalized architectural language.