04 Dec 2024
Le Petit Laurent is located at 1419 Clark Street and 1424 Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal. The construction of the new building required the demolition of the old structure due to its poor condition, lack of architectural value, and low footprint (only 62%). This situation created a significant "gap" along Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Additionally, the low density allowed on the site necessitated a compact and optimized project.
A revitalized urban framework
Today, Le Petit Laurent occupies the entire lot, consisting of 52 residential units spread across 7 floors. The ground floor and basement are dedicated to commercial spaces. Located in a vibrant area, marked by numerous festivals, the commercial space benefits from high foot traffic throughout the year. Le Petit Laurent stands out not only for its prime location but also for its unique architecture. It enhances its two façades: the one on Clark Street, with a contemporary design in harmony with the spirit of the Quartier des Spectacles, and the one on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, which pays tribute to the history of this artery, the oldest on the Island of Montreal.
Modern apartments in a refined setting
Designed like hotel apartments, the 52 residential units of Le Petit Laurent offer modern and sleek spaces. Each apartment is fully equipped with five appliances, and their sizes range from 330 to 560 sq. ft. The basement houses technical and storage spaces, bike lockers, and a fitness room. On the ground floor, a large see-through lobby reconnects the building to Clark Street. An interior courtyard, with a large skylight, illuminates the commercial space, and a grand staircase connects the ground floor to the basement, which is at a half-level below Clark Street.
Finally, a large, shared rooftop terrace offers stunning views of the Esplanade Tranquille, allowing residents to enjoy an immersive experience in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.
A building integrated into its urban context
MU Architecture has created a contemporary and elegant design that respects the existing typologies and alignments along Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Through a heritage study, the firm learned that the Montmarquet building once stood where the current front courtyard is located. That building featured a Victorian façade aligned with the built frontage of Saint-Laurent. The new façade respects that alignment. Limestone, typical of constructions along this iconic street, adorns the foreground of the façade. The building presents windows with typical proportions but is enhanced with finely crafted finishing details, angular frames, and golden-painted accents.
The alignments of the heights, cornices, windows, and neighbouring commercial spaces are respected to recreate an urban continuity that had been lost. Additionally, no ventilation grilles are present on the façade. Once the alignment was restored on Saint-Laurent for the first five levels, a clear setback was made for the upper floors (stepped back) to make them invisible from the opposite sidewalk. The top three levels are clad in an elegant and discreet metal coating, which helps dematerialize and lighten their volume, contrasting with the lower levels' limestone and golden metal façade.
A dialogue between classicism and modernity
This architectural project stands out for its bold composition that harmoniously blends tradition and innovation. Located on the famous Saint-Laurent Boulevard, the building is a respectful homage to the defining lines of the surrounding façades, while asserting a contemporary presence marked by modern elegance.
Balancing classical elegance and contemporary design
The building’s façade is structured around a thoughtful tripartite composition, establishing a direct dialogue with the iconic façades of the boulevard. The first plane, rooted in classical vocabulary, is expressed through a majestic ground floor, topped by a discreet entablature. This detail provides a stable and imposing base, anchored to the ground, while the vertical pilasters, which emphasize the composition's verticality, lift the eye towards the sky. The cornice, slightly projecting forward from the plane of the façade, highlights this sense of grandeur, while offering a subtle transition between the different planes of the façade. The use of Adair limestone, finished with a veined, polished texture, contributes to the harmony of the site, evoking the texture and beauty of the historic buildings lining the boulevard. This choice of stone reflects a desire to respect architectural memory while infusing a timeless modernity.
Echoing modern design and tradition
The second plane of the façade is more modern and dynamic, featuring bold volumes inspired by the Clark façade. The angular windows create a folding effect that adds depth and a subtle trompe-l'œil. This modern design breaks conventions while bringing lightness. The brbrass-colouredetal, both warm and luminous, enlivens this plane and distinguishes it from the first, making the façade fluid and dynamic. The contrast between the stone and the brass creates a play between heaviness and lightness, tradition and innovation.
Rhythm and harmony of the façade
The final design of the façade is distinguished by a meticulous arrangement of windows. Each opening features double windows, creating a symmetry that echoes the harmony of the neighbouring buildings. This detail enhances the verticality of the structure while establishing a connection with the surrounding constructions, asserting its unique identity at the same time. The mullions and frames, arranged geometrically, follow a rhythm reminiscent of the street, ensuring continuity while introducing a distinct stylistic touch. Finally, the horizontal arrangement of the windows provides visual stability and a smooth organization of the volume.
This façade project not only integrates seamlessly into the urban fabric of Boulevard Saint-Laurent, but also enriches, reinvents, and modernizes it, striking a perfect balance between homage and boldness. Thus, the building becomes not only a strong visual landmark but also a vibrant illustration of the interplay between heritage and innovation in contemporary architecture.
Clark facade: A theatre set on Esplanade Tranquille
The Clark façade, with its bold and dynamic design, aims to be a standout feature in the neighborhood's revitalization, while visually mirroring the vibrancy of Esplanade Tranquille. Designed to draw the attention of passersby and captivate a young, internationally minded audience passionate about design, the façade employs perspective and trompe-l'œil techniques to deliver a striking visual impact. Far more than just a wall, it transforms into a spectacle of its own, embodying a theatrical energy that captures the constant motion and vitality of the public space.
A trompe-l'œil façade
Inspired by the theatrical sets of the past, this façade employs trompe-l’œil, an age-old technique that simulates a third dimension on a flat surface. The visual effect of false depth is achieved through a subtle interplay of brick colours and textures, transforming the façade into a living canvas that shifts depending on the angle of view. By using various brick finishes and contrasting tones, the design sculpts light and shadow across the surface, creating an illusion of volume. Widely used in 16th-century theatre, this technique finds a modern architectural application here, where the illusion becomes a form of expression, turning the building into a true work of art.
Depending on lighting and perspective, this façade captures and holds the viewer’s attention, evoking wonder and admiration. Far from being a mere decorative element, it becomes a central feature of the new urban environment. Its theatrical nature establishes it as a focal point of Esplanade Tranquille, adding a festive spirit and a strong visual identity to this transforming space.
Composition and contrasts
The illusion of a third dimension is achieved through a palette of three brick tones, creating shadows and geometric cuts that give the façade a sculpted appearance. Bright white highlights the volumes, while darker bricks emphasize the relief and depth. These contrasts generate a dynamic visual effect that shifts with the changing light throughout the day.
The windows, arranged to alternate between projections and recesses, further enhance the sense of perspective. The foreground, aligned with the street, establishes a seamless transition, while the staggered frames of the second layer structure the space and introduce movement to the façade.
Seamless integration with public space
The ground floor of the façade, fully glazed, offers an unobstructed view of the Esplanade Tranquille and provides transparency extending to Boulevard Saint-Laurent. Set back 950 mm from the lot line, this space invites passersby to explore the business within and creates a strong connection to the public realm. The setback also accommodates a small terrace, further enhancing the interaction between the interior and exterior spaces.
The lower section of the façade, which subtly extends over the Clark Street entrance, shelters the entryway and highlights the business’s signage. Discreet, yet functional, it frames the activity beneath the façade, ensuring the building’s visibility, while harmonizing with the flow of the street.
A façade defined by vitality and interaction with the neighbourhood
This façade, a true theatre of architecture", seamlessly aligns with the dynamic revitalization of the neighbourhood. It embodies a new urban spirit, where the tradition of trompe-l'œil is reimagined and adapted to contemporary demands for interaction, transparency, and conviviality. Through its originality and its interplay of light and materials, it captures the curiosity of passersby and the attention of visitors, enhancing the appeal of Esplanade Tranquille. The Clark façade thus becomes more than just an architectural element; it transforms into a living actor on the urban stage, perfectly representing the creative energy and renewal that define this neighbourhood.
Technical sheet
Official Project Name: Le Petit Laurent
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Client: Rachel Julien
Architects/Designers: MU Architecture
Team Members: Jean-Sébastien Herr, Charles Côté, Marie Gémin, Magda Telenga, Michelle Belair, Tommy Chouinard, Sakiko Watatani, Pierre-Loup Pivoin, Andrée-Anne Godin, Karine Taillon
Contractor: Rachel Julien
Structural Engineer: Sylvain Parr & Associés
Mechanical Engineer: Desjardins Experts Conseil
Project Completion Date: March 2023
Photographers: Nicolas Fransolet (exteriors), Alexandre Parent (interiors)
Furniture: Élément de Base
Total Area: 38,000 sq.ft.
