Set in the context of the historic harbour of old Montreal, the Maison Sédimentation, designed by Studio Fei Yang, is a transformation project of an old townhouse owned by a local art foundation into a modern art gallery and cultural centre, including an exhibition space. Formerly constructed in 1770 on top of the foundations of an even older building dating back to 1692, the old townhouse featured a cladding of Greystone, a distinctive sloped roof to prevent snow build-up and raised end walls that act as firebreaks.
The architect has employed the idea of sedimentation as the basis of the design, layering the townhouse with construction, demolition, and partial recycling of physical boundaries and foundations, analogous to Montreal's Old City. The project strives to meet the needs of a contemporary art museum while retaining the authenticity of the original structure.
The design approach involved preserving the topography and layout of the original spaces while incorporating three complementary techniques: integrated restoration, restoration with the explicit presence of new elements, and new construction. Through these methods, the centre aimed to curate sensory experiences that would be memorable and engaging for visitors.
The project has garnered recognition and was a contender for the 2020 James Templeton Kelley Prize, an annual award that recognizes the best final design project submitted by a candidate pursuing a MArch degree at Harvard GSD.
In conclusion, the transformation blurs the lines between old and new, creating a seamless integration between the different temporal periods. It achieves this through a deliberate shift from traditional design elements to more unconventional textures and a neutral background, resulting in a unique and elevated space that challenges visitors' perceptions of what is possible in architecture. The result is an engaging and memorable experience that embraces the past while looking towards the future.
