Restoring Montreal’s schools with adaptable architecture

General view of the building and the main entrance of Aux Mille-Voix secondary school. Photo courtesy Raphaël Thibodeau

Two new high schools in Montreal, Aux Mille-Voix and Irma-LeVasseur, completed construction in the fall of this year, with designs adapted to their built and social environment.

The project results from Quebec’s Ministère de l’Éducation program aimed at renewing the province’s teaching infrastructure.

aerial view of a school
Aerial view of the main entrance and public square of Irma-LeVasseur secondary school. Photo courtesy Frédérik Bernier

Each school meets stringent ministerial standards and includes Quebec’s fleur-de-lys blue and aluminum panels on its facades, with its distinct layout and volumetry. Each building’s atrium and courtyard have elements that maximize natural light while providing spaces for collaboration and creativity.

A black maple and an ironwood tree are planted in the middle of the courtyards. Recycled concrete pavements and green-and-white roofs minimize the heat island effect, curtain walls promote natural lighting, and a geothermal system provides energy savings of approximately 35 per cent.

In addition, wood columns and cladding, active staircases, waste-sorting areas, and electric vehicle charging stations also exist. Together, these features give the schools an expected lifespan of 75 years. Both meet the requirements of LEED Silver certification.

The schools were designed by a consortium of three firms: TLA Architectes, UN Architecture, and NEUF architect(e)s.

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