New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/04C | Page 80

Project
La Géode
Location:
Montreal, Canada
Architect:
ADHOC Architectes
LIVING FOR THE CITY
In an historically working class neighbourhood of Montreal known for its residential energy
and vibrancy, La Géode apartment building reveals a new approach to urban living
Coming up with a completely new model for
residential living in a city can require an intrepid
approach from an architect. Often city bylaws will
work against him or her, and developers may also
be apprehensive as to how readily a fresh design
vernacular will appeal to buyers.
Based in Montreal, the ADHOC Architectes team
has designed an alternative blueprint for residential
living that challenges the tradition for long narrow
homes on small lots that’s been typical in the city.
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For this ground-breaking design, ADHOC cleared
a one-level home hogging a rather small 7m x 24m
site and replaced it with a five-apartment building
that wraps around a private inner courtyard.
Lead architect Jean-François St-Onge explains
how the name of the complex – La Géode – is a
metaphor for the design.
“Geologically speaking, a geode is a rock with a
hollow centre lined with sparkling crystals and here
the apartment building is the protective rock, while
These pages:A splash of
geometric tiles on a sidewalk
entrance and tunnel are the
only clues to the secret heart
of this Montreal apartment
block by ADHOC Architectes.
The predominant brick cladding
merges with the street’s wider
material vernacular.