Relection Academy, a renowned barbering academy, set out to create its own dedicated educational space—one that reflects its distinctive identity while bringing together creativity, technical expertise, and community. The goal was to create more than a traditional classroom: a versatile environment designed to support education, content creation, and events within a strong visual identity.

Located on Notre-Dame Street in Montreal’s Griffintown, the academy occupies a former industrial factory converted into commercial spaces, just steps from one of the brand’s barber shops. The existing space offered a unique architectural character, with two distinct rooms: a smaller, intimate and moody space, and a larger, naturally lit volume with an interesting existing structure.

The design embraces this duality. The smaller room functions as an arrival lounge that can also transform into a photography and video studio. Its darker atmosphere and adjustable lighting allow the mood to shift depending on the intended use. The larger room serves as the heart of the academy, dedicated to small-group training, demonstrations, and barbering conventions. Inspired by professional photography studios, the space incorporates adaptable lighting to support both teaching and content creation.

The material palette draws from a futuristic aesthetic, with stainless steel surfaces becoming a defining element of the space. Beyond their visual impact, the reflective surfaces interact with the lighting, allowing the atmosphere to constantly evolve. Carefully placed burgundy and red accents reinforce Relection Academy’s visual identity, while adding warmth and contrast to the metallic environment. The result is a bold and immersive space built around the dialogue between material, light, and identity.