Tour des Pins

Context of the project :

The 1400 des Pins is a typical example of speculative residential towers built in the 60's in Montreal under the Jean Drapeau administration. The reinforced concrete structure, which allows for higher construction, were presented at the time as the new model for the flourishing future of Montreal.

A rather simple modern architecture along with reproducible plans, the 1400 des Pins offers interesting architectural elements particularly in its handling of the reinforced concrete facade elements such as the entrance canopy, the central U-shaped balconies as well as the thin concrete vaulted coronation.

In complete proportion rupture with the surrounding buildings, which mostly are bourgeois residences, this building stays, along with most towers built in the 60s, a scar in Montreal's urban fabric. Just like the other of its kind, its envelope requires major renovations after its 50 years of active life.

The project :

The facade and parterre refurbishment of the 1400 des Pins aims principally for 4 objectives:
- Reclaim the value of the original architectural elements by their restoration, coloring and lighting.

- Tone down the massive qualities of the building in order to reduce the scale rupture with its surroundings. The two lateral balcony rows are to be darkened in order to reduce the mass of beige bricks to the main central body only.

- Rejuvenate the building in harmony with the 60's modernism through the addition of aluminum plates cut by psychedelic patterns on the central railing and on the entrance hall glass walls.

- Reconnect with a gleeful modernism, a playful architecture implanted on the street for the passers-by and the users, by adding on the ground level a simultaneously mineral and vegetal parterre.

This project's goal is to give a new elegance to the building.
Talking about the project, a tenant, who has been living in the tower for many years, even came to describe it as an elegant smile.