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Le petit Laurier
By : blanchette archi.design
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Landscape : Bronze Certification
Categories : Residential Building / Multi-unit Housing ≤ 4 storeys : Platinum Winner
Le petit Laurier is located on a lot formerly occupied by a car garage, at the intersection of Papineau and St-Grégoire. The redevelopment of the lot was made in response to the City of Montreal’s redevelopment objectives of transforming the avenue to allow for collective housing. The atypical dimensions of the lot forced reflection on the implementation strategy.
In response to the strong mineral nature of the area and the resulting heat island, it seemed appropriate to establish a C-shaped volume on the site, where the exterior faces stretch to the margins. With the implementation of a main exterior circulation in the shape of an exterior walkway on the interior courtyard, it was possible to develop dwellings that mostly span from each side of the building in order to maximize the sunshine and natural ventilation of the units. This strategy makes it possible to live on the alley and on the courtyard, bringing calm and life to the neighborhood. The hollowed-out heart of the lot allows for its requalification by creating a green landscape. The absence of a basement or underground parking under the site allows for the planting of vegetation that acts as a green lung within the project and as a filter of privacy between the residents. The exterior walkways border this changing landscape as the seasons change. The presence of public transportation has also made it possible to avoid any car parking spaces on the entire lot, in favor of a vast interior bicycle parking area to promote active mobility and neighborhood life.
The interior courtyard is a place of contemplation that acts as an intermediate plane between the street level and the lowered garden level. The work on the inclined plane has allowed the development of 4 levels on the alley side. Minimal slope ramps have also enhanced the program by introducing housing naturally adapted for people with reduced mobility. The research on collective living was a driving force in this project. The diversity of the typology of housing and clientele as well as the qualification of the thresholds and the places of passage force the interactions between the residents and the creation of a community.
The architectural parti has favored the design of the framework and of its facades with the same high regard. The translation of solids and voids on Papineau Avenue addresses speed and movement. The porte cochère, an element of language of the landscape unit, reinterpreted on two levels and highlighted by its edges, gives a glimpse of the green courtyard from the avenue. The façade is deliberately smooth on Papineau. Considering the noise nuisance of the avenue, it seemed appropriate to develop a common terrace on the roof in order to make the views towards downtown, the Olympic facilities and Mount Royal accessible. As for the facade on the green alleyway, it is punctuated with balconies that enliven this popular place for Montrealers. On the avenue, the work of the levels is expressed through the landscape. The step and the landscape strips act as thresholds and contribute to the greening of the avenue and to the building’s attachment to the street sequence; the landscape is anchored with the building on the right, the body of the building with that on the left.
Le petit Laurier is an elegant and deliberately sober project. Through its humble architectural approach, it fits into its environment with modesty and participates in its animation.
Collaboration
General Contractor : L'Ecuyer Redmond
Landscape Architecture : Projet Paysage
