Exterior of NOCA, in winter
  • Country Canada
  • City Montréal
  • Customer DevMcGill
  • Surface area 30 090 m²
  • Year 2022

NOCA Griffintown, an eight-storey residential complex with over 320 units, is part of the large-scale revitalization of the Bassins du Nouveau Havre.

Located along the banks of the Lachine Canal, this emblematic site once served as an inland port and later as a postal sorting facility. This layered past has left a lasting mark on the area’s urban fabric. The architectural intervention brings these traces back to life while anchoring them in a contemporary vision.

The concept draws inspiration from the surrounding natural landscape—particularly a filtering marsh and wooden walkway—to shape a sculptural volumetry and forge a strong connection with the environment. The project is structured around a diagonal axis that links Parc Bassin to the canal, both visually and physically, creating porosity and continuity within the urban fabric. This guiding line divides the original volume into two angular prisms, evoking sails reaching out toward the canal’s historic corridor.

The northeast façades, clad in pale masonry, echo the surrounding residential buildings through their sobriety and rhythmic composition. The southwest façades, facing the park and the canal, feature a reflective black metal cladding and large openings to capture natural light. Projecting balconies enhance the sculptural expression while offering open views.

A landscaped inner courtyard extends the filtering marsh into the heart of the complex. It includes a planted walkway and private terraces connected to the ground-floor units.

Shared amenities for residents are located at the junction of the two buildings and include lounge areas, coworking spaces, a gym, and a rooftop terrace with a pool and BBQ area. Circulation areas are bathed in natural light, thanks to a series of triangular skylights.

NOCA offers the Bassins du Nouveau Havre sector a bold and cohesive development where nature and urban life coexist with grace. Residents enjoy peaceful spaces and direct, convenient access to the city.

Architecture

Provencher_Roy

Interior Design

Innedesign

Landscape Architecture

Provencher_Roy

Electromechanical

Dupras Ledoux

Structure

Beaudoin Hurens

Acoustics

MJM

Contractor

Gerpro

Photography

Stéphane Brügger

Additional Collaborators

Qualitas / GLT+