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Habitations Saint-Michel
By : Saia Barbarese Topouzanov Architectes
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Residential Building / Affordable Housing : Gold Certification
Categories : Residential Building / Low-Rise Rental or Condominium Building (< 5 storey-high) : Gold Certification
Colourful brick façades and undulating staircases signal the presence of Habitations Saint-Michel, a social housing complex located in Montréal’s Saint-Michel neighbourhood. The project is the result of extensive efforts to revamp a low-rise complex from the seventies into a safe, stimulating living environment for 182 families.
Six of the initial 27 buildings were demolished to make room for a centrally located “shared street”. In order to keep the same number of units as before, an extra floor was added to eight 2-storey buildings. Great attention was paid to the temporary relocation of all residents during the 2-year period the site was under construction.
The visual concept was inspired by the work of French-Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez. Thanks to a careful juxtaposition of bricks featuring four basic colours, the architects were able to create the illusion of seven distinct hues, which bring life to the façades. Brightly painted staircases add a final touch of whimsy.
Collaboration
Engineering : Cima +
Engineering : Aedifica
Landscape Architecture : Vlan Paysages
Other : Wood
Engineering : Bouthillette Parizeau
General Contractor : Cybco Construction
Architect : Saia Barbarese Topouzanov Architectes
