Sid Lee Architecture has transformed a former Ville Marie church in Montreal into Carré des Arts, a distinctive residential project featuring their signature architectural style, composed of stacked cubes in a grid formation.
Sid Lee Architecture worked with ADHOC Architectes on the 3,173-m2 (34,154-sf), 46-unit rental project, located in the Centre-South Montreal borough, which integrates a checkerboard building alongside the heritage church. The geometrically vibrant new volume creates a dynamic interplay of form and function, offering a human scale to the architectural composition.
Facing the northern entrance of the Saint-Jacques Market, Carré des Arts spans Sherbrooke East, Wolfe, and Atateken streets, Sid Lee Architecture carefully considered the integration of high-density housing into this complex urban context, resulting in a harmonious encounter between the past and present. Public consultation and reflections contributed to social acceptance by residents and organizations.
Executing complex geometrical work required inventive construction strategies, and the cramped site also demanded meticulous planning for pedestrian and vehicular access.
Preserving the former church’s form and features, the conversion of the All Nations Church commercial premises adds a modern touch to the heritage, combining residential spaces with the building’s historical significance. This integration enhanced the heritage environment, retaining original architectural features such as ornamental brick treatments and peace symbols.
Co-ordination among architectural, structural, and mechanical teams resolved structural details, mastered thermal insulation, and managed delicate junctions with precision.
“In working with the alternating grid, the formal interplay created will have maximized interior and exterior spaces, offering each resident a unique view of the city coupled with a sense of intimacy,” says Jean Pelland, architect, and principal partner of Sid Lee Architecture.
