In 2010 our team was hired to create the architectural designs for the Bota Bota floating spa, thus providing a third incarnation for the former ferryboat that used to link Sorel and Berthier in the 1950s.

In our briefing, we were given the following goal: immerse visitors in a multisensory world inspired by the aquatic environment, the maritime world, the ship’s rich history and the surrounding Montreal landscape.

The main challenge our teams would face would be how to seamlessly meld the talent of experts from widely varied fields – from naval architecture to interior design - and get everybody working together effectively.With this in mind, our teams set off to modify the ferryboat’s hull and main structure. In the span of two years, we transformed the vessel’s five bridges into a reception area, café, baths, saunas and massage rooms.

Soon after its introduction to the public, Bota Bota received numerous awards in the 2010 Grafika and Grand Prix du Design competitions:Grafika- Grand Prix, Environmental Design.- Grand Prix, Visual Identity Program, Enterprise.- Original Typography.

- Logo.Grand Prix du Design (Prix Intérieurs Ferdie)- Project of the Year.- Hotel & Recreational Spaces.- Special Signage & Branding on the Premises (multidisciplinary).The project also received extensive media coverage, both nationally and internationally, from Canadian Architect, Le Devoir, La Presse, CNN Travel, The New York Times, Azure, Surface and Cubes Singapore, to name but a few.

The architectural program recreated an environment reminiscent of an ocean liner from which passengers could contemplate the Montreal skyline and river. The ship seemed to be floating in the timelessness of the river, a sense of infinity permeating its interior and creating a world of materiality, ambience and colour. The project represented a fusion of disciplines: building architecture; naval architecture; interior, industrial and graphic design; as well as building and naval engineering. This mingling of multiple disciplines was necessary to tackle the technical and technological challenges.