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Sheraton Laval – Transformation & Agrandissement
By : DMA Architectes
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Other categories in architecture / Facade : Silver Certification
Categories : Commercial Building / Hotel & Resort : Bronze Certification
Categories : Special Award / Architecture + Renovation : Bronze Certification
On the edge of Highway 15, the Sheraton Laval is a distinctive element within the Laval landscape. We sought to distinguish it while reflecting the brand identity of the new Sheraton Hotels : understated, elegant and with a distinctly contemporary look.
The Sheraton gets a new look
The exterior envelope was in need of an aesthetic, functional and visual upgrade. The concept of this new envelope is based on the notion of rhythm and the composition of the facades was reworked on this premise. A light grey concrete block cladding creates a distinct plane that stands out from the building, providing a retrained and contemporary look to the building. Dark grey metal panels adjacent to the guest-room windows (alternating on each side) create a rhythm to the large facade.
The entrance and drop-off zone stand out from the lighter facades with a distinct volume, clad in textured panel cladding that acts as a backdrop for the new Sheraton signage.
This volume of 5mm stone reconstituted on an aluminum frame (the first facade application of this material in Quebec), continues horizontally at the soffit of the main entrance. A large luminous ceiling is part of the volume marking the entrance and is an elegant way to welcome customers. Composed of backlit metal panels with a custom perforation, the pattern establishes a link with the cladding of the interior light columns.
The new envelope not only freshens up the appearance of the hotel but also, by increasing the depth of the lintels, improves the performance of the envelope. The new envelope and windows provide better energy efficiency and effective acoustic isolation for the rooms given the presence of the adjacent highway.
More space, more flexibility and fluidity of circulation
The explosion of requests for conferences and ceremonies, as well as the evolving complexity of the types of events, called for an overhaul of the Convention Center (CC) to adapt to these new realities. As the Sheraton Laval and the Hilton alone host 80% of the events held in the Laval agglomeration, it became necessary for our client to improve the quality of its offerings.
The CC, originally designed as a separate addition rather than an extension of the hotel, had complex connections, enclosed spaces, and was separated by administrative areas dedicated to the hotel. Connectivity between the hotel and the CC was provided through a single recessed access corridor creating an awkward and non-intuitive circulation. The entrance to the CC was a narrow lobby offering no reception area, making it difficult to manage multiple groups.
The 900-square-meter expansion consists primarily of a multipurpose room and the main floor foyer allowing for dozens of possible configurations to accommodate the volume and new complexities of events. The CC focuses on adaptability and openness through a series of movable partitions, offering great flexibility in the room configuration.
The new entrance of the Convention Center offers a double height volume to distinguish itself give an impression of grandeur, then continues with a monumental staircase leading to ancillary spaces relocated in the basement (check rooms, toilets, showers, multifunctional rooms or meeting rooms).
Flooded with natural light via skylights, the former lobby now becomes the main circulation axis and creates a link with the hotel lobby. This passageway hosts a club lounge, a coffee area and a boutique with a small private meeting room.
The lateral corridors are cleared on both sides of this link allowing the great hall, entirely renovated, to be divided into 5 rather than 3 rooms (before the intervention). Thanks to new vertical and retractable walls, the reception room can be opened onto the hall as well as the outside courtyard to allow the creation of a large open space.
Collaboration
Interior Designer : Massarelli Design
General Contractor : Construction Tyron
