Manon Gauthier, Ville de Montréal's Executive Committee member responsible for culture, heritage, design, Space for Life and the status of women, announced the winners of the Commerce Design Montréal's Prix Frédéric-Metz and Prix du public. Created on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Commerce Design Montréal Awards, the first Prix Frédéric-Metz was presented to Boulangerie Guillaume, honoring the vision of its owner Guillaume Vaillant and the work of L. McComber Ltée architects and Atelier Chinotto graphic designers.

"For 20 years, the Commerce Design Montréal Awards have helped raise the profile of Quebec designers and architects and provided a unique window on the city's businesses. Thanks to these awards, all the creativity and design talent in Quebec continues to be recognized and honored. Congratulations to the winners of the Prix Frédéric-Metz and the Prix du public, who have distinguished themselves by their originality, boldness and quality of work," says Hélène David, Minister of Culture and Communications and Minister responsible for the Protection and Promotion of the French Language.

"By participating in the creation of the Prix Frédéric-Metz, Ville de Montréal wished to pay tribute to a passionate and talented man who contributed greatly to shaping design in Quebec and left an indelible mark on the teaching of the discipline. As with the Prix du public, the purpose of the award is to raise awareness among Montrealers about the importance of quality design and architecture and to showcase businesses that have distinguished themselves with bold, innovative and creatively designed premises," says Manon Gauthier.

Boulangerie Guillaume, 2015 Prix Frédéric-Metz

Created by Ville de Montréal, the Société des designers graphiques du Québec (SDGQ) and Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) in honor of Frédéric Metz, this award recognizes a business from among the winners of the 20 jury awards whose design concept (interior, graphic) is seamlessly integrated, inspiring and efficient, makes life easier, elevates beauty, function and meaning, facilitates experience and brings added value to daily life.

"We had a duty to find a way of commemorating the defining figure of Quebec design that Frédéric Metz was, and this award is a fitting tribute. We owe a great deal to this passionate teacher who advocated for the development of the graphic design section at the university and the promotion of design in Quebec," explains Louise Poissant, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at UQAM.

The jury, chaired by Nathalie Bondil, Director and Chief Curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, had the following to say about the winner. "Designed by architects L. McComber Ltée, Boulangerie Guillaume invites customers to watch the baker at work and take part in transforming flour into bread. Responding to the challenge, the design has an unobstructed view, opening up the area between where the product is displayed and where it is made. With its simple look highlighted by a bold graphic expertly integrated by Atelier Chinotto, the bakery successfully breaks out of the mould of a more conventional image of a bakery."

Originally opened in a tiny space on Fairmount Avenue East, the new bakery moved in 2014, tripling its production capacity and becoming an "overnight" success. The bakery's friendly atmosphere has won over employees and continues to draw an ever-expanding clientele.