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La Maison Lavande
By : Syscomax | Jean-François Dupuis, Architecte
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 17th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Ceiling : Platinum Winner
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Glass : Gold Certification
Categories : Commercial Building / Factory & Warehouse : Gold Certification
La Maison Lavande is a family-run agritourism and perfumery business located in the Lower Laurentians that has enjoyed great commercial success over the years. The company needed to relocate and expand its production centre, La Fabrique des Filles, in order to centralize its product design and manufacturing activities, and equip itself with a larger production area for its various lavender-based products. Syscomax architect Jean-François Dupuis took a creative approach to the architectural designs, proposing a light-filled environment with minimalist forms that strikes the perfect balance between modern and rustic aesthetics.
The project’s design revolves around the notion of “feeling at home.” During the kickoff meetings with the leaders of this thriving business, the central idea was to create a modern-style, state-of-the-art plant with clean lines that preserved the essence of the original rustic architecture of the agritourism facilities, which initially served as a family residence. The design fulfills the client’s vision with its blend of residential and industrial features, and integration of a fully open, glass atrium in the building’s main façade that houses the company’s administrative offices. This distinctive architectural element, reminiscent of a house’s gable, serves as a symbol of the company’s culture and offers a sweeping view of the surrounding farmland.
Located on the edge of picturesque farmland in the Innoparc Albatros in Saint-Eustache, the rectangular-shaped site sits on a steep slope, which posed a major challenge for the development of the building’s forms. The solution proposed offers a unique alternative to the typical industrial plant: a ground-floor area at the rear of the two-storey building. This attractive architectural element floods the two levels with abundant natural light, creating a harmonious interplay between the building’s facades. The new building’s volumetric shape was also meticulously designed to match the site’s shape and boundaries, maximizing the building’s surface area to meet all the company’s operational needs.
La Maison Lavande’s new facilities immerse occupants in a world where floral production benefits from an ecosystem that creates a space for the family, social and ethical values of this 100% locally made product.
Discipline: architecture | Category: Special Awards
1.5.5: Architecture + Ceiling
One of the core elements of this project is the atrium: an impressive space featuring abundant fenestration, a skylight and a sleek architectural staircase. Our goal was to evoke the essence of the Maison Lavande brand and establish a connection to the architecture of the agritourism building, located a few kilometers away. Spanning the entire width of the building, the atrium features a cathedral ceiling clad in acoustic felt panels (EzoBoard), a sustainable material made from 50% recycled materials and 100% recyclable. The panels bear a striking resemblance to traditional rustic pine slat siding, creating a pleasing mix of modern and rustic styles. Importantly, they are also an environmentally friendly choice—a crucial criterion in the company’s sustainable sourcing policy for raw materials. To introduce a sense of movement to the ceiling’s acoustic panels, a skylight was integrated, providing an additional source of light from above.
Discipline: architecture | Category: Special Awards
1.5.10: Architecture + Glass
It was important that the design of the industrial building make use of abundant natural light. To achieve this, the two main façades of the atrium are composed entirely of curtain walls, and the ceiling features a skylight. The atrium’s generous fenestration called for a large section of windows to be reiterated in the warehouse area. As a result, employees working in this section of the plant also benefit from natural light and views of the surrounding agricultural landscape—an advantage not usually found in standard industrial buildings.
To further maximize the diffusion of natural light, each workspace was designed to incorporate windows or glass doors in rooms with no direct source of sunlight. Similarly, glass was integrated directly into the walls of production areas to diffuse natural light from nearby rooms.
About Syscomax
Founded in 1988, Syscomax has stood apart as an innovative general contractor, constantly pushing the boundaries of the construction industry in diverse sectors. Our bold, inventive approach to building design and construction goes firmly hand-in-hand with rigorous budget and schedule management. With a multidisciplinary team of some 60 experts, Syscomax is a flexible and versatile partner that offers a wide range of services. Our operations are centralized at our Mirabel head office, which oversees work at multiple worksites.
Collaboration
