The design intent of Lemay Associés for the Stinson Transport Center in Montreal was to achieve a seamless weaving of the project into the surrounding urban fabric. They then did thus through the introduction of a new dialog element: an interface which will serve as a catalyst for the renewal of the surrounding industrial sector. Characterized by simple and contemporary volumetrics, the project is based on functional principles which give it its geometric singularity. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The main challenge to achieve a harmonious integration for the project was to optimize the ecological footprint of the site. With that perspective, the architects and the client agreed to internalize most of the circulation for bus parking inside the building. However, the consequence of this approach is an immense floor plate and a rather large horizontal volume. Thus, the sheer size of the facility, its integration in the surrounding context and the architectural treatment became major issues.
These considerations were developed an architectural device referred to as the “weaving”. The “weaving machine” proposes to mesh together the structural grid of the building and the landscape into a new multifunctional feature which will become the signature of the project: the roofscape. The size of 7 football fields, the rooftop landscape simultaneously became the main driver for design intent.
In anticipation of an increase in its services planned over the next few years, the STM will expand its fleet of buses and must build a new transport center. The proposed Stinson Transport Center will accommodate 300 vehicles and 800 employees and will aim an ambitious LEED Gold certification.
Thanks to v2com for the material included in this post.
