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Château D’Ivoire
By : Archi-
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Stairs : Platinum Winner
Categories : Commercial Building / Retail, Health Clinic & Small Commercial Space : Platinum Winner
Categories : Other categories in architecture / Facade : Gold Certification
A legacy
The Château d’Ivoire jewelry store, a luxury icon since 1978, is internationally renowned for its product range and custom jewelry design. Nestled in the heart of the prestigious Mille Carré Doré commercial district in Montréal and at the foot of Mount Royal, the jewelry store occupied the basements of three connected triplexes. Turning a new leaf in its legacy, Château d’Ivoire approached Archi- to reinvent its retail space in a way that would fully embody its reputation.
A return to timelessness
The new four-storey, 40,000 square foot building is a tribute to the site’s history where a tripartite “ensemble” once stood in 1865. This contemporary interpretation draws its inspiration from the architectural language of the original buildings, with a recessed fourth level, invisible from the street, and a majestic double-height entrance based original proportions. The solid and void composition of the façade evokes a sense of permanence and security of an institution, while the local grey stone of minimal carbon footprint aims for a return to timelessness, ensuring the longevity of the structure. The generous forecourt, illuminated at night by integrated ground lighting, generously welcomes visitors to the storefront and inside.
With security being of utmost importance, the architect’s developed envelope compositions specific to each façade and their many varying conditions. Multiple architectural and technological systems were strategically put in place to maximize security, including strictly controlled access points and custom-made safes integrated into the building itself.
Light as a landmark
The central atrium is the point around which the entire space revolves, a focal point bathing the store in natural light. At the center is a monumental staircase, a sculpture travelling from one level to the next, accompanying the user from one floor to the next. Its shape invites visitors up to the second floor, guides them strategically to the service center and draws them to an intriguing third floor. The vertical circulation therefore becomes an architectural promenade, an event, animating the entire atrium and its surrounding spaces.
The ascent
The functions and activities of the store are laid out in such a way to offer increased exclusivity as one moves vertically up the four floors. The ground welcomes the visitor and offers the most prestigious brands via a series of shop-in-shops. On the second level, Château d’Ivoire’s exclusive jewelry collection is put on display in custom display cases of various sizes, followed by a service center. The third level reveals an entirely different world, including a café-lounge, meeting spaces, administrative offices, and laboratories that put on display the unique work of the jewelers. Finally, on the fourth floor, a private reception area opens onto a terrace and green roof, creating an exclusive escape in the heart of the city.
The new Chateau d’Ivoire is the result of a close collaboration between client and architect during every phase of the project, from the definition of needs to the construction of the building, from the interior design down to the smallest details of the. custom furniture and displays. The result is a space that goes beyond traditional retail. It becomes a destination and offers a unique experience where visitors prolong their stay and where staff benefit from a stimulating and comfortable working environment.
