 Dan Hanganu and the École des Hautes Études Commerciales 
Our article focuses on the HEC building, built in 1995 and designed by Dan Hanganu. This building, one of the most remarkable on the Université de Montréal campus, embodies a new trend in business schools in North America and elsewhere, which includes the choice of a star architect and a daring architecture. It has subsequently been the subject of much controversy, before, during, and after its construction. In our study, we have adopted the following approach : first, we examine the history of HEC and the Université de Montréal, based on statistical data, archives (minutes of meetings, reports, correspondence), and various documents (newspaper articles) ; then we study the construction of the building, from the choice of site and architect and consultations with residents to the major innovations that characterize the new building, i.e. bold architecture, respect for the environment, sustainable development, innovative pedagogy ; finally, using interviews, observations “in the field”, and an online survey of graduate students, we study the relationship between users and the new building. One conclusion is clear : the architect-artist Dan Hanganu succeeded not only in constructing a building that appealed to its users (lighting, social spaces, etc.), but also in imposing his “signature” and giving the École des HEC its “brand image” : an institution of its time, one that is dynamic and innovative.