ii. Faculté d'aménagement, Université de Montréal, 1997
Saucier + Perrotte / Menkès Shooner Dagenais, Architects

How the architects dealt with the addition of a new wing to an existing building is what I was interested in for this project, since that is a rather important aspect that I will be dealing with as well. Also, the fact that the building was designed as a school of architecture with the same parameters as my own project, such as it being located in the city of Montreal, its historic context, as well as the climatic and sociological conditions were of particular interest.

On the exterior, a prefabricated curtain wall system, made of aluminum louvers and glass is applied to the façade to signal the addition of a new studio wing at the back. It is clear that this is a bold intervention, not even attempting to "fit in" with the surrounding buildings. However, it does succeed in bringing the old structure back to life and in creating a lively new environment in which to work.

Past the front entrance, the lobby opens up to the floors above. As one progresses towards the back of the building, a stairwell appears and the ground opens up again, this time revealing the lower level.

The studios are in a separate wing which was intended to be as open as possible, inspired by John Andrews' Gund Hall (as discussed above), to contrast the Faculté's cramped quarters. It was meant to be a luminous object which would "reflect the creative energy generated by the students back into the campus nucleus and the city at large," according to the architects. This open studio concept has been an issue in this school as well. Students have used their creativity in building themselves walls for privacy.

A major criticism regarding the renovation of this project was that it was concentrated on the main addition, namely the studios, rather than affecting the rest of the school as a whole. They questioned the appropriate balance between a radical approach and a more modest intervention intended to provide all users with a measure of comfort. Again, this is an issue that I will be dealing with in more depth.