“The project’s thematic orientation is based on an analogy. A succession of ideas which nourish intersect and form a pattern, a framework of action. It is based on the concept of building ties… ” In anticipation of an increase in its services planned over the next few years, the STM will expand its fleet of busses and must build a new transport centre. The proposed Stinson Transport Center will accommodate 300 vehicles and 800 employees and will aim an ambitious LEED Gold certification.
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.
The design intent was to achieve a seamless weaving of the project into the surrounding urban fabric. 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.
The design intent was to achieve a seamless weaving of the project into the surrounding urban fabric. Strongly related to its urban context, the integration of building, site and landscape creates a singular and cohesive ensemble. This ensemble simultaneously addresses urban integration considerations while actively participating in the streetscape, thus helping the overall rejuvenation of the sector.
Official Project Name: Stinson Transport Center
Location: Montréal, Québec
Client Name: Montréal Transport Society (STM)
Project Team: Pierre Larouche, partner in charge; Yanick Casault, project manager; Michel Lauzon and Jean-François Gagnon, design architects; Éric Gélinas, technician; Steve Lesieur, technician; Sammy Camacho, technician; Henry Cho, technician; Éric Provost, technician, LEED AP; François Desmarais, designer; Valentin Guirao, architectural intern; Khalil Diop, architect; Anne-Marie Brochu, bachelor of architectue; Maryse Ballard, architect; Sébastien Martineau Soto, architectural intern, LEED AP; Ramzi Bosha, architectural intern.
Engineers: Bouthillette Parizeau et associés and BPR (electro-mechanical engineering) and Pasquin St-Jean et associés (structural/civil engineering)
General Contractor: Work item 1 – LA Hébert; Work item 2 – to be determined
Area: 35,000 m²
Construction Cost: $90M
Project Delivery Date: August 2013
Web: www.lemay.qc.ca
Source: v2com.biz
