The Art of Design Issue 38 2019 | Page 40

40 A WELL-KEPT SECRET The Queen Alix in the Heart of the Architects’ Village Modernist openings The result of a collaboration between Reflecting the neighbourhood’s eclectic developer Maître Carré, architecture firm nature, the Queen Alix includes 25 Blouin Tardif Architecture Environnement condominiums of different types: lofts with “The large cube was opened up in certain and Rhoncus Design, the Queen Alix is a direct street access, one- to three-bedroom strategic places to create dynamic and new multi-unit residential project at the condos, townhouses with private yards, and hospitable volume,” explains architect corner of Alexandra St. and Alexandra Ave., penthouses with mezzanines and rooftop Isabelle Beauchamp, of Blouin Tardif in the heart of Montreal’s Marconi-Alexandra gardens. It will also include a small retail Architecture Environnement. On the ground neighbourhood, also known as Mile-Ex. space, right at the unique intersection. floor, a retail space with ample windows, as Saluting the past, present and future The architecture of the Queen Alix is residential units, were carved out of the large grounded in a desire to echo the design structure. well as private entrances for several of the Once a primarily industrial district, the language [M1] of the neighbourhood’s former diverse, contrast-rich neighbourhood is now factories, while presenting a more modern Thanks to a focus on residents’ well being, home to numerous architects (and some of overall look. the project pays special attention to interior their most beautiful homes), artists’ studios, layouts: ergonomically efficient circulation, start-ups, and soon the artificial intelligence The structure is timeless and classic, with functional spaces and up-to-date styling. hub. features typical of buildings in Mile-Ex: cubic Noble materials – though not ostentatious volume, brick façade, large windows. ones – were used wherever possible. “The The Queen Alix is fully in tune with this urban palette of light, calming colours serves as a neighbourhood’s rich history and bright Upon closer examination, we discover a canvas on which each owner can express future. carefully planned cube with several ingenious their personality,” says designer Pascale Viglas architectural details. of Rhoncus Design.