23 Oct 2024
As the housing crisis intensifies, Mellem Ville-Marie emerges as a flagship model of gentle and sustainable densification. Seamlessly integrated into its neighbourhood, it provides a concrete solution to growing needs, creating 216 new homes that strengthen community bonds and the vitality of the urban environment. Designed by ADHOC for Maître Carré, Mellem Ville-Marie fully reflects Montreal's identity, both architecturally and socio-culturally, combining sustainable urban planning, housing creation, and community development to build a more inclusive future.
A contextualized architecture aligned with local needs
Designed to blend seamlessly into a dense urban fabric, Mellem Ville-Marie rises to the challenge of integrating into an established environment. The project features a variety of residential typologies, from studios to three-bedroom apartments, each with a private balcony and access to walkways, the inner courtyard, or direct street access. In total, over 60 housing typologies have been developed to optimize lighting and ventilation for each unit.
Mellem Ville-Marie adopts a design approach typical of Montreal, emphasizing the fragmentation of facades. This human-scale architecture allows for a harmonious balance between the project’s densification and its integration into the neighbourhood, ensuring a successful visual fit within its surroundings while respecting the scale of nearby buildings.
At the heart of the project, a central courtyard and walkways foster interactions between residents, strengthening the sense of community and safety, while also allowing for smooth circulation throughout the building. As a nod to the neighbourhood's industrial past, the project uses raw materials like brick and steel, evoking both the history and authenticity of the area.
As a UNESCO City of Design, urban art is a central element of Montreal's identity. Mellem Ville-Marie embraces this dynamic by integrating urban art into the archways and one of its blank walls, paying homage to this prestigious title. Located near the De Rouen Street tunnel, one of Montreal's most iconic legal graffiti walls, where renowned and amateur artists leave their mark, the project further reinforces this connection to urban art. These interventions celebrate the creative heritage of the neighbourhood while enriching the project’s visual signature and contributing to the city's aesthetic dynamism.
"Mellem Ville-Marie aims to be a model of urban integration, proving that it is possible to increase density while preserving our city’s identity and cultural heritage," says Jean-François St-Onge, Co-founder and Creative Director, ADHOC.
Dynamic common spaces encouraging sustainable development
On the ground floor, a bright coworking space, open to the street, energizes the surrounding public area. Directly connected to a café and bar that enhance the local food scene, it opens the community to the entire neighbourhood. Inspired by the city's urban textures, it invites users to share moments of work or relaxation. Lush greenery and locally made light fixtures, reminiscent of Montreal's iconic street lamps, create a natural and local atmosphere, fostering a harmonious and inspiring environment.
In tribute to the city's culinary heritage, the building's rooftop features a second common space, offering a communal kitchen and a cosy lounge that encourage interaction between residents. Montreal's commitment to urban agriculture is reflected in the design of the 7,000-square-foot rooftop terrace, which provides planters accessible to residents. This space promotes local agriculture and becomes a true gathering spot, further strengthening social ties within the community. Adorned with pergolas reminiscent of old railway industries, it pays homage to the neighbourhood’s rich industrial past, once marked by railways, factories, and sorting stations. This nod to local history highlights the project's Montreal identity while fostering a spirit of friendliness and collaboration.
"Mellem Ville-Marie is not just a residential project, but an invitation to forge connections, promote exchanges, and build a close-knit community in the heart of Montreal," adds Hugo Girard-Beauchamp, Founder & President, Maître Carré.
An Inspiring Urban Future
In parallel, Mellem Ville-Marie reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development by minimizing space dedicated to cars, with a ratio of just 0.25 parking spots per unit. Instead, the project offers twice as many bike parking spaces as required, encouraging active mobility.
Mellem Ville-Marie embodies a model of sustainable densification and respectful integration into an established neighbourhood. By addressing the housing crisis, while preserving local character, this project illustrates the central role of community and sustainability in developing thoughtful architecture for our cities.
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