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Le Solstice
By : NEUF architect(e)s
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Residential Building / Apartment & Condo ≥ 10 storeys : Platinum Winner
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Art
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Concrete : Bronze Certification
Located at the heart of downtown Montreal and the Bell Centre neighbourhood, Le Solstice stands out for the quality of its public spaces.
The tower sits atop an existing structure whose massing and materials blend with the surrounding context while maintaining a human scale at grade. The development of various shops and patios on the ground floor helps enliven the public sphere. The setback of the lower floors, combined with a colonnade along the frontage, creates a pedestrian arcade.
The 20-meter Y-shaped columns of the podium recall the outline of a tree. These five columns lift the structure in a powerful yet refined architectural statement. The massive character of these five elements contrasts with the series of steel arches at the top of the building. These arches, white steel frames, were lifted to the top floor by cranes and assembled directly on the roof.
The implementation of shops and terraces within the podium contributes to the liveliness of the public domain. The upper floors combine residential units with a variety of shared services, including a wellness centre, a spa, and an indoor pool with terraces, as well as a cellar and working areas.
Several works of art interspersed throughout the common areas contribute to the social and cultural value of the project. At the base of the building, a light installation by Vanessa Harden and David Gardener offers a nod to the name of the project: Le Solstice. The billiards room features a chair by the designer Stéphane Leathead, while the swimming pool is adorned with sculptural elements created by the ceramicist Pascale Girardin.
