“ Several other cultural organizations have since signed leases , and Îlot Balmoral is becoming
the creative hub that we envisioned .
PROVENCHER ROY
the skyline , a bright red external fold contrasts against the clean glass exterior . The colour was chosen as an echo of the cultural branding materials of the Quartier des Spectacles , and serves to distinguish Îlot Balmoral from the functions of more traditional office towers in the district .
ANCHORING THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
AN ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOL OF CREATIVITY
On the surface , Îlot Balmoral is a highly dynamic structure rising up from the urban fabric . The almost perfect cube is very clean and slick , and is wrapped in exterior glass that was carefully selected for its white frit pattern and translucent panels .
The smooth and seamless exterior positions the façade as a potential giant screen against which projections of Quartier des Spectacles initiatives can be presented . Subtle and dynamic tonality provides a sense of mass and substance to the structure , and the glass façade provides an enormous infusion of light into the building . The frit pattern also serves to control thermal heat gain inside of the building , which meets the firm ’ s LEED Gold sustainability objectives .
The exterior façade ’ s infusion of light dynamically highlights a large internal atrium , carved diagonally through the centre of the building to create two volumes . The firm oriented the cut based on the site ’ s previously existing pedestrian flow , moving diagonally between the Place des Arts Metro station and Place des Festivals . To delineate the cut , and to make the building ’ s mark on
As a nod to Îlot Balmoral ’ s importance to Montreal ’ s creative scene , the National Film Board of Canada signed on as the building ’ s core tenant . Celebrating 50 years of film excellence , the Canadian institution was looking to modernize and transform their facilities , and the move included the reinstallation of the iconic NFB logo in the new lobby , which is a symbol of Canadian design history
“ The NFB signing was proof of concept for us that architecture can redeploy and reprogram how neighbourhoods are defined , not only on a visual or physical level , but also in its role as a centre of cohabitation ,” says Provencher . “ Several other cultural organizations have since signed leases , and Îlot Balmoral is becoming the creative hub that we envisioned .”
Without requiring any significant changes to the architecture , Provencher _ Roy redesigned four floors of Îlot Balmoral for the NFB in order to accommodate their technical requirements , including editing rooms and the hosting of state-of-the-art equipment . They also built a brightly lit white staircase leading up to the NFB offices , located directly under the red canopy of the building ’ s main entrance .
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