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Le Solstice
By : NEUF architect(e)s
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 15th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Other categories in architecture / Concept & Unbuilt : Silver Certification
The 44 storeys of Le Solstice will soon rise above the heart of downtown Montreal and the bustling Bell Centre neighbourhood. The project is planned for completion in 2024, and already stands out for the quality of its public spaces.
The tower, 147.5 m in height, sits atop an existing structure whose massing and materials blend with the surrounding context while establishing a human scale for the complex. The development of various shops and patios on the ground floor helps to enliven the public sphere. The setback of the lower floors, combined with a colonnade along the frontage, provides a pedestrian arcade between Avenue des Canadiens and Rue Overdale.
The Y-shaped columns, reminiscent of a trunk with branches spreading above, recall the outline of a tree. These five columns, rooted in the ground, lift the structure in a powerful yet refined architectural statement. The upper floors combine residential units with a variety of shared services including a wellness provider, a spa and an indoor pool with terrace and lounge area.
Several works of art interspersed throughout the common areas contribute to the social and cultural value of the project. At the foot of the building, a sculpture by Vanessa Harden and David Gardener varies the ambient lighting according to the time of day or night. The lobby contains a chair by the designer Stéphane Leathead and mobiles by the ceramicist Pascale Girardin.