In Montreal, Quebec, Le Petit Laurent is a newly constructed residential and commercial building that tells a tale of two facades. Designed by Montreal-based MU Architecture, the building’s design demonstrates an interplay between heritage and innovation in contemporary architecture.
Le Petit Laurent replaces a previous run-down structure with a low footprint (just 62 percent); the area’s permitted low density necessitated the construction of a compact, highly optimized building.
Occupying the entire site, Le Petit Laurent faces onto two streets in Montreal — Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Clark Street. This provided MU Architecture with the opportunity to conceive two different facades: on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, a cultural heritage site, the studio designed a facade that pays tribute to the history of this 11-kilometer-long (6.8-mile-long) artery (the oldest on the Island of Montreal, it was inaugurated in 1720); on Clark Street, the studio designed a contemporary facade in keeping with the spirit of the Quartier des Spectacles, an arts and entertainment district in the Downtown Montreal central business neighborhood.
Le Petit Laurent has 52 hotel-style residential units; spread across seven floors, they range in size from 330 – 560 square feet (31 – 52 square meters). The building’s basement houses technical and storage spaces, bike lockers, and a fitness room. On the ground floor, a lobby connects the building with Clark Street. There is also a shared rooftop terrace with views across the Esplanade Tranquille, a new public space in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.
Saint-Laurent Boulevard facade
MU Architecture designed Le Petit Laurent in a manner that respects the existing typologies and alignments of Saint-Laurent Boulevard. A heritage study carried out by the studio showed that a building once stood on Le Petit Laurent’s front courtyard. The “Montmarquet building” featured a Victorian facade that aligned with those found on Saint-Laurent. “The new facade respects that alignment,” says MU Architecture. “Limestone, typical of constructions along this iconic street, adorns the foreground of the facade. The building presents windows with typical proportions, but is enhanced with finely crafted finishing details, angular frames, and gold-painted accents.”
Across its first five floors, Le Petit Laurent’s architectural details respect those of neighboring buildings on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, including the height, cornicing, windows, and commercial spaces — this recreates an urban continuity that was previously missing. Above these first five floors, MU Architecture has stepped back the building’s three upper floors, making them invisible from street level. “The top three levels are clad in an elegant and discreet metal coating, which helps dematerialize and lighten their volume, contrasting with the limestone and golden metal facade of the lower levels,” says the studio.
The Saint-Laurent Boulevard facade is structured around a tripartite composition that establishes a dialogue with the boulevard’s enduring facades. The first plane is rooted in classical architecture. The ground floor is topped by an inconspicuous entablature and vertical pilasters draw the eye skywards. The cornice projects slightly from the facade, highlighting a sense of grandeur. MU Architecture chose Adair Limestone, a natural stone that is quarried in Ontario and features a glacial, smooth finish. “This choice of stone reflects a desire to respect architectural memory, while infusing a timeless modernity,” says the studio.
The second plane of the facade has a more contemporary disposition, with bold volumes inspired by the Clark Street facade. “The angular windows create a folding effect that adds depth and a subtle trompe-l'œil,” says MU Architecture. The use of a warm and lustrous gold-colored metal distinguishes this plane from the first and creates a play between heaviness and lightness.
The final design element is a meticulous arrangement of windows. Double window openings create a symmetry with neighboring buildings and the geometric mullions and frames add a certain panache to the facade’s overall design.
Clark Street facade
On Le Petit Laurent’s Clark Street side, MU Architecture created a facade with a more cosmopolitan feel, reflecting the vibrancy of Esplanade Tranquille. Designed to appeal to a younger, internationally-minded audience, this facade also employs the age-old trompe-l’œil technique (often associated with painting) to heighten the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface. “The visual effect of false depth is achieved through a subtle interplay of brick colors and textures, transforming the facade into a living canvas that shifts depending on the angle of view,” says MU Architecture. “The illusion of a third dimension is achieved through a palette of three brick tones, creating shadows and geometric cuts that give the facade a sculpted appearance.” The trompe-l’œil architectural details set the facade apart, creating a visually appealing focal point on Esplanade Tranquille.
A bright white brick highlights the facade’s volumes, while darker orange/terracotta and black bricks emphasize the relief and depth. This generates a dynamic visual effect that shifts as the light alters throughout the day, enlivening the facade. Windows are arranged to alternate between projections and recesses, further enhancing the sense of perspective.
The ground floor on Le Petit Laurent’s Clark Street side is fully glazed, providing views across the Esplanade Tranquille and a transparency that extends to Saint-Laurent Boulevard. A 95-centimeter setback invites passersby into the commercial spaces and creates a small terrace, strengthening the building’s connection with the public realm.
Le Petit Laurent’s total area: 38,000 square feet (3,530 square meters)
