Micheline Clouâtre and Julie St-Arnaud from VLAN paysages

Proment Corporation has entrusted Vlan paysages to create the green roof for their new MYX Condominiums project. Vlan paysages has participated in a number of projects on Nuns’ Island, including the landscaping of the roundabout at the island’s entrance. Entitled Milieu humide, the roundabout project features long “reeds” that were installed in collaboration with in situ atelier d’architecture. These giant reeds evoke the island’s riverbanks and are activated by the headlights of passing cars at night. An irrigation system waters the plants from the base of the roundabout. VLAN also participated in designing the green roof for the ZUNI building and townhouses.

The green roof at MYX:

“MYX is similar to ZUNI in that both buildings are the same height and connected as part of the same block,” said Julie St-Arnaud, senior partner and landscape architect at Vlan. The green roof concept was inspired by the shape of the building, particularly the angled balconies, referred to as “sails”. The arrangement of vegetation, primarily grasses and perennials, along with the gravel paths featuring different colours and textures, reiterates the sail concept and creates an even more scenic view from the condos overlooking the courtyard. The result is a real tableau of vegetation that changes with the seasons.

There are many advantages to green roofs; in addition to the aesthetic aspects, they improve air quality by converting CO2 to oxygen, absorb rainwater, and reduce the effect of heat islands, a common phenomenon in more paved urban areas. As a result, these gardens create a more comfortable living environment for the surrounding residences.

Rendering of the green roof covering the parking lot

The rising popularity of green roofs:

In the last 15 years, Vlan has seen a growing demand for green roofs. LEED projects, for example, incorporate green roofs into their building design, and some cities require that green or light-reflecting roofs be installed. Green roofs are also used in urban agriculture, a developing trend, as the rooftop sun exposure creates an ideal gardening space in an urban environment.

About Vlan:

Vlan works with both institutional clients and real estate developers and has won numerous awards for their work. The firm is currently working in collaboration with Provencher Roy to revitalize the Esplanade de Place des Arts. They are also responsible for various other projects, including a plan to revitalize Sparks Street, near Parliament Hill in Ottawa. “I appreciate Proment Corporation’s work approach of using a multidisciplinary team,” Julie said. “Proment brings in various specialists in architecture, landscaping, and design to work together before the project is completed. This way, we achieve a more seamless project.”

Yves Emond, Architect

Forme Studio is the architectural firm behind the design of MYX Condos. Architect and cofounder Yves Émond agreed to speak with us about his vision for the MYX project.

Yves always dreamed of being an architect. As a child, he liked to build with Lego or little red blocks. Thus began his lifelong passion for designing homes. As an architect, Yves feels he can help make a difference in how people live and change cities for the better.

MYX Condos building

MYX Condos, a unique piece of architecture:

MYX Condos is Forme Studio’s fourth project in collaboration with Proment Corporation. For MYX, Yves designed the building with the developer’s goal in mind: to offer the same benefits as neighbouring residential towers. “Even though the building isn’t on the water, the view of the river was important to the developer. We made this a focus in the architectural design, creating the sail design that gives the living room windows a view of the river or the city. They give the building a unique feel and increase value for buyers,” Yves says.

A complex building due to the mix-use vocation:

MYX is a complex building for a number of reasons. The main challenge was accounting for its various uses. For example, installing businesses on the ground floor required building a parking lot for customers in the inner courtyard. Since there are also residential units in the building, the architect wanted to hide the parking area with a green roof. Customers can access the parking area from the commercial street via a porte cochère. He also had to design a building that incorporated economical 650-ft² units, upscale 1,220-ft² units, as well as townhouses. These different elements imposed constraints on the structure and ceiling heights, and on the building’s architecture itself.  ‘’In reviewing MYX, we are very satisfied with the results’’ states Yves.

MYX entrance and modern carriage door

A long term relationship with  Proment Corporation:

Forme Studio has been working with Proment Corporation for nearly a decade. Together they are behind projects on Nuns’ Island including the townhouses by Lac des Battures, ZUNI and Evolo S buildings in Pointe Nord and their townhouses. “In my time working with Proment, I’ve seen that as a developer they leave nothing to chance, that they aren’t afraid to ask questions and are willing to go back to the drawing board if they’re not 100% satisfied with the results,’’ says Yves. Very few developers are as meticulous. “When you walk around Pointe-Nord, you can see that every material and aspect is well thought-out. It’s a pleasure to walk around the area and appreciate the attention to detail,’’ he adds.

About Forme Studio:

Forme Studio is an architecture firm with around 30 employees that has been in business for 16 years. Forme Studio specializes in “the places we sleep,” applying its expertise to residential buildings, including condos, homes, rental properties, student residences, retirement homes and hotels. “We’ve seen growing demand for mixed-use developments that include businesses and offices in addition to residential units,” says Yves.

Forme Studio works on a variety of projects around Quebec. Yves Émond is most passionate about designing integrated developments that offer a combination of uses and residence types. “We’re working on creating a number of ‘mini-villages’ that include towers, commercial buildings, parks and footpaths. It’s an interesting project because we have to think beyond a single building and consider the urban planning and landscape architecture to predict how the area will change over time.’’

Ysabel Gauvreau, Designer

We have commissioned Ysabel and Valérie Gauvreau of Gauvreau Design to do the interior design for MYX Condos. Ysabel tells us about her career path and the main aspects of this project.

The Gauvreau sisters got started in design at a young age, following the footsteps of their mother, a designer herself. The younger Ysabel was interested in theatre sets and staging. She put on plays, creating the set and costumes herself. Although she had already proven herself as an artist, she fell in love with the more technical side of design, including making plans and layouts, while studying at the Cégep du Vieux Montréal.

She then went on to work on commercial projects including the interior design for restaurants, bars, and eventually condominium projects.

MYX condos: A design inspired by nature

When visiting the neighbourhood with Ilan Gewurz, Ysabel was inspired by the natural surroundings. As she explains, “I didn’t realize that Pointe Nord would be such a green, natural area, especially this close to downtown, as it’s not something I see at the other development projects I do downtown and in Griffintown. I was immediately drawn to the parks, trees, river, the sounds of birds singing, the landscaping… I wanted to integrate the environment into the interior concept for this project.”

The rooftop terrace features many natural elements and a lot of sitting areas where one can linger.

At MYX, the common areas are located on the building’s rooftop. “Since we’re higher up, we don’t have a sense of these surroundings. For this reason, we integrated many plants and natural elements into the concept for the common areas to maintain that feeling of unity with the neighbourhood,’’ explains Ysabel. Gauvreau Design worked in collaboration with the team from Vlan, the project’s landscape architects, to select the plants that would be used for the rooftop terrace and around the pool. “We decided on planters with leafier plants. For furnishings, we installed hanging chairs on the rooftop terrace and in the urban chalet to create an inviting space. This creates continuity between the indoors and outdoors,’’ Ysabel says.

MYX: Scandinavian inspiration revisited

The designers revisited the building’s Scandinavian look, keeping the clean, functional lines and adding warmer elements, such as weathered wood and pure, natural materials like smooth concrete and natural stone.

MYX: Challenges drawn by the shape of the building

The L-shaped layout of the building creates a challenge for decorating the corridors. The designers have to make these long passages interesting to walk through for the residents.  Various options are being considered. “We can play with the lighting levels in different areas and paint the walls different colours to cut the length,’’ explains Ysabel. The designers are also considering having a stand-out design for each resident’s door to highlight the individual units.

MYX: a unique approach

“We have a very unique work approach to the MYX project. Proment has all the teams come together at the same table so that the teams from each area can evaluate and comment on the work of the others. It allows for a smoother project,’’ says Ysabel. “It’s a stimulating way of a doing things. I was even asked for my opinion on what colour to use for the brick on the façade, something that has traditionally been the architect’s decision. The people working in each area can hear the others’ comments and take their work that step further.

“The developer made considerable efforts to create a neighbourhood that boasts an interesting lifestyle and, in the same vein, MYX was conceived to offer a unique lifestyle for its residents. It’s been a pleasure for us to work on the MYX project, and we hope other collaborations will follow,” Ysabel concludes.

To find out more about MYX condos, visit: myxcondos.ca

As you probably already know, Nuns’ Island is famous for its plentiful green spaces and innovative building designs.   Discover the architect Jean-Pierre Bart who has collaborated on several projects with, Proment Corporation.

Les Verrières sur le fleuve

A long-standing partnership

Jean-Pierre Bart began his career right in his hometown of Quebec City, working with Jacques Lachance on the Les Jardins de Mérici residential complex.  His next stop was the six-phase Les Verrières project, a decision that required no further convincing after his first visit to the Les Verrières II construction site. “I was blown away by the concept.  The idea of putting buildings in a huge riverside park, which would become the beautiful gardens we have today, really drew me in.” He moved to Montreal and began working on the next phases of the project, Les Verrières III through VI.  “At the time, the concept of on-site amenities—like pools, a gym, tennis courts and a projection room—was very innovative.  It helps create a sense of community and gives residents a way to get to know each other,” he says.

Jean-Pierre would go on to work on a multitude of different projects: Club Marin I and II, Les Sommets, Vistal, Verre sur Vert, and finally, the Evolo towers in the Pointe-Nord neighbourhood. ‘’We enjoyed the many years working together with Jean-Pierre and appreciated his flexibility and creativity in his unit design’’ says Samuel Gewurz, President of Proment Corporation.

Le Vistal with architectural firm Lemay Michaud

Jean-Pierre’s top picks

His favorite buildings are still Les Sommets and Vistal.  “I like the classic feel and the strength that Les Sommets exudes.  With Vistal, I wanted to do something more modern, more 21st century.  Vistal is also very special to me because it’s the first LEED building that I had a hand in,” he says.

What inspires him

“I visit Vancouver often because I have family there, and I like to check out the condo projects while I’m there.  As we all know, Vancouver is a city of condos. I also like Chicago,” he explains.  For Jean-Pierre, travelling exposes him  to new concepts and trends, providing him with the inspiration he needs to take his creativity to the next level.

Precast concrete is an important feature of Les Sommets sur le fleuve

Preferred building materials

Jean-Pierre uses a great deal of glass in his high-rise constructions to create the enormous windows with spectacular views that are very appealing to residents. He also frequently works with another popular material, precast concrete.  “I like to use this material because you can give it different shapes and colours, and it’s also easy to assemble,” he says.  “As a kid, I used to gaze out the windows during class and watch a nearby office building being put up. The walls were made of precast concrete panels.  I was absolutely fascinated by how the walls were put together.  I never would have guessed that one day I’d be working with a lot of this material myself,” he says.

Pointe-Nord neighbourhood with architectural firms Lemay Michaud and Forme Studio

Pointe-Nord

Since 2009, Proment Corporation has been building and perfecting an urban village in Nuns’ Island’s Pointe Nord neighbourhood.  “I had the opportunity to be involved in deciding the exact location of the buildings and designing the streets,” says Jean-Pierre.  Designing a neighbourhood is a fairly unique task. It can be likened to putting together all the pieces of a puzzle;  each building needs to fit together perfectly with the others. Pointe Nord’s design as a walkable neighbourhood, or Transit Oriented Development (TOD), with shops and mass transit options all easily accessible on foot, is a considerable advantage for the neighbourhood’s residents.

Jean-Pierre worked with firms Lemay Michaud and Forme Studio to design the Evolo towers in Pointe-Nord. “Working in synergy with other architectural firms means that more ideas are thrown around, and it challenges us to take a more critical look at our designs,” he says.

Jean-Pierre Bart’s architectural firm has 7 employees and has been operating for 40 years.

Louise Dupont, Senior designer

Architecture firm Lemay Michaud was hired to design the common areas in the Evolo X tower. Louise Dupont, a partner at the firm, talks to us about what went into the project.

Designing the common areas for the Evolo X, the fourth tower in the Evolo family, comes with its own share of challenges, as each Evolo tower has its own personality. “You need to capture all the prestige of Evolo X, but you also need to make sure it still feels like it belongs with rest of the Evolo towers,” explains Louise Dupont. Another challenge was the location of the common areas. The promoter wanted all of the common areas to have a view, or some natural light. This meant positioning them along the outer part of the building and putting the mechanical spaces in the middle.

Surrounded and inspired by water

“Given the prime location and proximity of Evolo X to the river, we were deeply inspired by the water,” says Louise. The colours, materials and shapes used evoke the water. Various shades of blue can be found in the furniture and accessories, metals with reflective surfaces create a shimmering water-like effect, and natural shapes are a nod to the nautical theme.

Welcome home – the main lobby

The main lobby was designed to be a welcoming and warm place. Enormous windows maximize natural light, which filters through the chainmail curtains like sun reflecting off the water. An art piece reminiscent of a giant mobile with little paper boats will be installed in one of the windows. A local artisan will bend the metal for these boats, each bearing a message engraved on their hulls. Evolo X residents are invited to participate by sending us their messages at info@pointenord.com

Another water-inspired work, a painting by Quebec artist Viviane Case Fox, will be installed in the lobby.

Inviting and relaxing pool, spa, reception room and gym

“Even though the pool area is a public space, it was important to us to make it a place where people can relax and meditate,” says the designer. The stunning view of the river can be admired from any vantage point, including through the large porthole window or from the hanging cocoon chairs.

For the reception room, undulated ceramic wall tile with a wave pattern was chosen. A large throw rug in shades of blue delimits the lounge space.

The gym overlooks the river, providing a generous focal point for workouts. A blue partition panel separates the yoga room from the main space, and one wall features a vinyl record with a wave print.

A prestigious building

The choice of materials truly captures the high-end feel of Evolo X. Wood, metal and printed glass were used. Warm natural colours contrast with dark grey and blue.

About Louise Dupont

Louise Dupont is a senior partner at LeMayMichaud and has extensive experience in commercial interior design. She has been involved in many major projects, some of which have won awards in Canada and abroad. She was the interior designer of the Evolo 2 and Evolo X common areas for Proment Corporation.