Voyager Labs is a cutting-edge café and beverage laboratory located in the Saint-Henri neighborhood of Montreal. Designed in 2023, the space redefines what a café can be—not just a place to drink coffee, but a place to witness its evolution. The project is the latest iteration of the Voyager brand, which originally debuted as a collaborative café with SSENSE in Old Montreal. With this new location, the team set out to establish themselves as thought leaders in the coffee industry—scientists and tastemakers shaping the next chapter of beverage culture.
The design concept centers on transparency, both literal and philosophical. Every piece of machinery, every filtration system, and even the back-of-house lab is placed in clear view. The idea is simple: when you’re onto something real, there’s nothing to hide. Inspired by the Centre Pompidou and science-fiction aesthetics, the space boldly exposes its mechanics and elevates them into design features.
Despite a tight budget, the design achieves a high-end visual impact by using strategic material placement and creative reinterpretation. A dramatic burl wood column sets the tone. Standard fluorescent lights are fitted with color gels to create a custom, atmospheric lighting program. A digital projector menu replaces traditional signage, aligning with the Voyager team’s tech-forward lifestyle. Voyager Labs is a masterclass in using constraint to create clarity and charisma.