Maison du Citoyen
Historically Rich Heritage
The Maison du citoyen in the Rivière-des-Prairies / Pointe-aux-Trembles borough is located at the heart of a heritage district rich in history. This project, led by Réal Paul Architecte, involved the renovation of a former convent into a borough administrative centre, integrating the town hall and various municipal services. The main objective was to preserve the building's historic identity while meeting the modern functional needs of local government.
The first phase of the project involved extensive deconstruction and decontamination work. A gymnasium adjoining the convent was completely torn down, with particular attention paid to contaminant management. In parallel, restoration work was carried out on interior and exterior masonry, waterproofing, insulation and foundation drainage, including the installation of French drains and sumps.
The History of the Building
The second phase, completed in January 2016, focused on creating new spaces while retaining the building's historical features. The exterior and interior envelope was maintained, and contemporary glazed additions were integrated to increase the surface area and maximize natural light. These additions, integrated to the heritage walls, preserve the visual integrity of the building while making the interior spaces easier to navigate. With a total surface area of 3,300 m², the new layout includes spaces dedicated to the town hall, administrative services and various departments, including public works and culture, sports, leisure and social development.
Sustainable development was a priority in the design of the project. LEED Silver certified, the building incorporates strategies regarding improved energy efficiency and space flexibility. The installation of geothermal wells now significantly reduces energy consumption. Glazed additions help optimize thermal control of interior spaces, while ensuring optimum comfort. In addition, a large proportion of the materials replaced were recycled, while the new materials were selected for their ecological properties as well as durability.
