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LE LUNETIER
By : 2Architectures
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Commercial Building / Mixed-Use Building : Platinum Winner
The project presented is part of an architectural and landscape development in the City of Montreal. In fact, this is the fourth project carried out by 2Architectures in the Papineau and Masson sector.
It should be noted that 2Architectures has realized the general urban design concept, the architectural projects as well as the landscape concept for all 4 projects.
This project, at the border of the Plateau Mont-Royal and Rosemont, was carried out in collaboration with the City. The project is located on a former industrial site within a residential area. The constraint was to transform the traditional layout of the sector and to respect the heights of the borough while ensuring a mixed and dense typology. The main challenge remains environmental, with the integration of a green living space in an industrial environment.
An implantation that responds to the singular urban situation
The block on which the project is implanted is part of the series of atypical blocks that border the railway. Compared to the blocks that make up the neighbourhood’s grid, the Papineau / Masson block is wider, about one and a half times the width of the typical block. Thus, the project proposes a different layout, taking advantage of the depth of the lot and establishing an urban mechanism adapted to the particular conditions of the site.
Along the Papineau axis, the project addresses a janitorial and commercial building on the first floor, respecting the setback of the neighbouring buildings and whose façade follows the continuity of the street. This continuous façade supports the sustained activity of Papineau Street and closes the Masson axis, which abuts the site at this location. In the continuity of the axis, a gap in the façade welcomes and marks the main entrance. This doorway allows pedestrians to cross the site and reach the green alley.
At the rear, the building turns around to open up a planted interior courtyard. The implementation of triplex buildings allows the project to address both the courtyard and the green alley. On the first floor, the shops open onto the courtyard, while on the upper floors, a series of balconies allow the apartments to benefit from views of the exterior landscaping and natural light.
The vegetation integrating the landscape supporting our daily life
One of the challenges was to successfully locate housing and green spaces away from noise and pollution. To do this, we favored a U-shaped building with a green courtyard inside and a door on the street, while a communication with the green alley ensures the continuity of the pedestrian path. Thus, the building creates a sound and visual barrier to Papineau Street.
The project allowed the redevelopment and greening of an industrial site of atypical shape near the railroad.
The planted courtyard is in line with the green spaces of the alley. Thus, the project reinforces the existing networks of green spaces and pedestrian circuits implanted in a string and criss-crossing the streets and alleys of the neighborhood.
The quality of the landscaping and architecture ensures a safe, well-lit public space open to all and develops a sense of community. In addition to having these green spaces, the project proposes several private and common terraces. The collective use of the interior courtyard makes it a place of sharing where users rub shoulders and where the dynamics and effervescence of children’s games take place.
A typology optimizing the conditions of the site
The location and typology of the project allowed us to increase the quality of the housing: maximize the sunlight of the housing and the green spaces, establish an effective sound and pollution barrier, maximize the green spaces of the interior courtyard.
Since Papineau Street is very busy, the interior courtyard created by the building’s typology is a true haven of peace for the residents and provides a barrier. This attracts people who are not interested in city life, which is too noisy and does not offer enough green space.
This atypical implantation respects the sunlight (maximum sunlight in the courtyard allowing for bright housing), and the neighboring buildings by avoiding darkening and creating a sound barrier between the industrial zone and the residential area.
Collaboration
