Architects: allaire courchesne dupuis_architecture_urbanisme_intérieur
Location: Quebec, Canada
Project Manager: Benoit Dupuis
Conception and head of Project: Maxime-Alexis Frappier
Project Year: 2008
Budget: 5,5 M
Photographs: Marc Cramer
The plan as per St-Germain Égouts et Aqueducs enables the company to manage four key areas: administration, internal warehousing, external storage and manufacturing. Given the scale of the organization’s production program, taking charge of all its components proved crucial to proposing a consolidated and independent project. Bringing about this new phase with in a harmonious manner affects the project as a whole and is at the very core of the concept itself.
Building an industrial site that co-exists with the surrounding area, for a use in which architectural excellence is often replaced by low-cost banality requires a reevaluation of the topographical constraints of the location. Contemporary creativity, technology and innovative materials are available to respond to the desire to be distinct yet involved in the different issues of our time. It is important to ensure that these innovations generate neither cultural nor visual conflict but rather contrasting dialogues between the site, building and area.
The shape of the building is simple, orthogonal, straight and clearly identifies its contemporary architecture parentage. The form is at the service of the idea it transcends: the simple, straightforwardness of the shell conveys the image of the drains. The wood edifice, like its occupants, is flexible and reacts to the natural forces of the site. The predominant North-East winds promise a refinement and articulation of the façades. Eroded by the wind, the north-east section becomes truncated forming a group that is integrated into the site.
Visibility is one of the fundamental issues of the project. Indeed, since the premise of the project is that the new headquarters becomes a showcase, a democratic place where the know-how of the company is manifest. A showroom, adjacent to reception, houses a permanent installation of the company history and its range of products will open soon.
To show the process of production, there are windows to the different phases. The ability to peer into the process, from conception to administration, is made possible by these slips and openings within the “canal”.
