Concept
The floor is organized around a strong element: a wooden volume around and within which the common functions of the office users orbit. Its central location optimizes movement. This volume is developed in such a way that its shape encourages longitudinal movements and thus promotes team synergy by linking the two open work areas.
In the central office area, we find :
- a linear lobby that showcases this wood volume.
- a series of meeting rooms that can be combined to form one large longitudinal space; the opening at the beginning and end of the volume creates a cone of vision that links the two work areas of the office.
- A linear library accompanying the movement of users, a plant wall and a lunch counter enliven the north corridor.
These three longitudinal lines of force can also be visually traversed in a perpendicular manner from the waiting area of the hall thanks to a partial erasure of the wood envelope which passes from an opaque section to a section composed of horizontal slats. The visitor can therefore, from the waiting space of the hall, watch the movements of the users and the meetings of the conference room if its retractable partitions are folded. This visual breakthrough leads to the green wall, a sign of sustainable architecture that is now part of Quebec architecture.
Materials
Wood was an essential element in the presentation of Quebec architecture. It is synonymous with an important resource of the province, with a way of building specific to our part of the world and represents a warm element of architecture that takes on its full meaning as a central unifying element. Furthermore, the volume it covers is reminiscent of a "building within a building" and fuels the dialogue about the limits of space. The glass is in contrast to this volume: transparency vs. opacity, gloss vs. matte. It is planned to explore the possibility of reusing the raw concrete of the slab underneath the current floor finishes. The slab would be patched, polished and varnished to give it a raw and polished look. Certain areas such as the library space or the wood volume's forecourt (see perspective view) could be covered with large carpets to make these informal meeting areas more comfortable. The ceiling would retain its acoustic tiles but could be raised at the perimeter of the wood volume to create a sense of grandeur. Pale and neutral colors for all the walls and furniture would favor the luminosity of the space and allow the central monolith to take its rightful place.
Sustainable development
A maximum of existing elements were salvaged: a portion of the northern partitions, a portion of the acoustic tile ceiling and the concrete floor. All of the College's existing furniture is reused; to facilitate its integration and alignment, the storage blocks of the open space work units are integrated into large unifying pieces of furniture that house wiring, recycling, garbage, storage and lighting equipment. The green wall enlivens the central office space and provides an interesting alternative to natural light. Coupled with an appropriate mechanical system, it provides an excellent system for purifying the office air. The wood used for the central volume must be a certified local wood and will be finished in an ecoresponsible manner (natural oils). The installation of a shower in the employee locker room will encourage sports activities (running, cycling). The two open workspaces naturally find their place at the ends of the floor, where views and natural lighting are present. The flexible cube space, divided by pivoting and sliding partitions, and collapsible breakout desks provide a high level of space responsiveness (adaptability) and eliminate the need to reserve more floor space for fixed functions. This space saving allows work areas and the office in general to breathe easier.
Strengths
The strengths of the project lie mainly in the quality and originality of the spaces created. In the Orde's offices, we find a wooden monolith with a subtle break in the envelope, spectacular through-views that allow the staging of strong elements (wooden volume and vegetal wall) and a linear library that brings a lot of dynamism to the north circulation space. This ensures that every movement is enhanced by the architecture of the space.
(Competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
- This proposition is appreciated for its clear concept and fluidity.
- The generosity of the open areas at the ends allows for considerable transparency.
- The lobby is interesting but the comfort at work of the person in place is in doubt.
- The wood volume in the center creates a significant point of interest and gathering.
- The use of natural lighting is well resolved. On the other hand, the green wall risks lacking sunlight because of its positioning.
- The effectiveness of the gesture of creating niches along the common services is underlined.
- It is specified that the technical room to be preserved has disappeared.
- The idea of juxtaposing the kitchen with the library space is welcomed, especially since it increases the central energy emerging from the wood volume and its functions.
- The proposed cabinetry work to unify the existing furniture is appreciated. On the other hand, the functionality of the stations thus created is questioned.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
5 scanned / 5 viewable
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Presentation Panel
- Perspective
- Axonometric Drawing
