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Institut québécois d’intelligence artificielle – Mila
By : DMA architectes
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Public Building / Higher Education & Research Building : Bronze Certification
The Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute (Mila) wanted to create a pole dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) to house its headquarters. A building complex (former textile factories) located in the heart of the Mile-Ex district in Montreal was chosen. This two-and-a-half storey redevelopment, located in two separate buildings connected by a narrow footbridge and marked by a difference in level of almost half a storey, represents an area of 90,000 square feet.
The architectural concept is inspired by the Mila's values; the mix of users, the convergence of ideas, the democratization of spaces. The perimeter of the main floor dedicated to fundamental research constitutes the core of Mila's mission. The design concept maintains an equity between the spaces dedicated to researchers, teachers, managers and private companies (corporate labs). Each workstation receives natural light whether it is in an open area or in a closed office.
The layout encourages the circulation and collision of ideas. A variety of collaborative spaces of varying scale and utility are provided; telephone booths, formal rooms, and collaboration areas distributed on an ad hoc basis. In addition, meeting cubes (polygons) reminiscent of the Mila logo act as a screen interrupting the large expanses of open-plan stations. The aesthetics of an industrial loft forms the backdrop of this layout with a minimalist treatment of finishes.
Collaboration
Other : Avison Young Québec
General Contractor : Gerpro Construction
Engineering : Dupras Ledoux Ingénieurs
Engineering : Poincaré Experts Conseils
Other : TKNL
Lighting : EDP
Architect : DMA architectes
