Îlot Balmoral
The Îlot Balmoral, built for the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal, is characterized by its huge bright red opening, whose vibrant color creates a strong link with the Quartier des spectacles thanks to an architectural language that revisits the universe of the arts.
This opening divides the building into two distinct blocks and reveals a full-height atrium that allows natural light to penetrate deep into the building and illuminate the walkways that connect the two volumes. The red wall of the northern part of the block folds inward before touching the ground, increasing the lightness and transparency of the first floor in a floating impression.
Electromechanical
Dupras Ledoux ingénieurs
Photography
Stéphane Brügger
Contractor
Construction management: Groupe TEQ
Structure
Nicolet Chartrand Knoll Ltée
Acoustic
Davidson Legault
Lighting
CS Design
Other Collaborators
AECOM / Exim / Go multimédia / Technorm
Certification
LEED NC Or
Country
Canada
City
Montréal
Client
Société d'habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM)
Surface Area
27,850 m²
Year
2020
Located in an emblematic sector of Montréal, the Îlot Balmoral is becoming a central point and a major player in its environment, hosting in particular the headquarters of the National Film Board (NFB) and the School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design (NAD) of the Université du Québec in Chicoutimi. At the junction between the business center and the Quartier des spectacles, its diagonal defines a strong axis and continues the fluidity and accessibility between these sectors.
The Îlot Balmoral basilaire, open on both the east and west sides, was designed with pedestrians in mind, allowing them to cross this public space at will. This split also creates an important visual axis between the metro station and Place des Arts. The Îlot Balmoral is today a flagship element of the Quartier des spectacles, as it is fully integrated into the latter and has become the architectural representation of innovation, creation and vitality in Montréal.
