Wishing to reinvigorate its image and position itself as an essential actor on the entertainment scene, Société des casinos du Québec mandated the Sid Lee Architecture & FCSD architecture + design consortium to lead an intervention strategy at Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau. The casino presented major organizational challenges: Its interior spaces were cluttered and undistinguished, producing a confusing and unwelcoming result, devoid of hierarchy or landmarks. The architectural intervention therefore aimed to bring coherence to the space; open perspectives to better connect the spaces and identify their functions; and rework the vertical lines offered by the building. An aquatic theme was naturally chosen to develop a unique identity for the casino, located on the shores of a lake and surrounded by water. “The main staircase was brought to the middle of the central space, among the game tables and machines it connects to the restaurants and discotheques on the upper floors. Designed as a beacon visible from all around the casino, the stairs are dressed with a unique carapace composed of 595 backlit metal scales declined into 94 different models, reminiscent of fish skin and its changing reflections. An iconic architectural element, it centralizes all visual perspectives and asserts the space’s identity”, explains Martin Leblanc, Architect and Partner at Sid Lee Architecture. Supported by the existing structure, the strategy developed seeks to establish targeted and efficient actions. The result is striking: A veritable ambiance has been created, radically renewing the public’s experience and attracting a larger and more diversified clientele, in a unique space offering a multitude of entertainment possibilities. The project was carried out in close collaboration with Lightemotion for an immersive lighting installation as well with Trizart-Alliance for the multimedia segment.
