A new architectural and social landmark is coming to life in eastern Laval, Que., named Espace citoyen des Confluents.

Built on a 5.2-ha (13-acre) site that once housed a petrochemical plant, the new space, designed by Montreal firm Cardin Julien, provides the community with a library, meeting spaces, a multifunctional theatre, and a police station while addressing the neighbourhood’s demand for public infrastructure.

The building’s layout on a vast undeveloped lot allowed it to maximize its bioclimatic efficiency. Its elongated and angled volume fosters the intake of passive solar energy while reducing direct thermal gains on the east and west facades. The openings of the building are punctuated with permanent sun-shading structures called brise-soleils.

With its linear, slightly angular volume, the building stands out as a defining landscape feature with earth-toned materials on the second floor.

All design decisions were made to achieve exemplary performance standards, which go well beyond the goal of LEED v4 Gold certification.