Located in Kirkland, Quebec, a storage and workspace facility meets the spatial needs of the West Island market. Sited between Highway 40 West and Brunswick Boulevard, the structure departs from conventional closed volumes typical of this building type. Developed by GKC Architecture & Design, the project addresses municipal masonry requirements while prioritizing decarbonization and material efficiency.
Material articulation and building envelope
The exterior envelope uses a dual-material approach to reduce embodied carbon and meet local zoning requirements. After a variance allowed for less conventional assemblies, the design incorporates custom-curved corrugated metal panels and smooth insulated metal panels, both finished in a copper colour and installed vertically over beige brick. The fastening system conceals all hardware to maintain the cladding’s structural integrity. An aluminium curtain wall with grey reflective glass and vertical silicon joints brings natural light to the south and west facades and connects the building to its urban surroundings.
Decarbonization and Thermal Performance
The facility meets Zero-Carbon Building certification by addressing both embodied and operational carbon. Steel replaces concrete at the roof level to reduce the material footprint. A basement, instead of an additional above-grade floor, improves the thermal envelope and reduces heat transfer. Full electrification manages operational energy use intensity and thermal energy demand.
Interior Spatial Integration
The interior reception area combines industrial materials and organic textures. Exposed concrete ventilation infrastructure and wood define the workspace. Concrete formwork marks are left visible on the ceiling, giving the surface a wood grain texture. A central staircase and lime green trompe-l'œil doors connect the four upper levels.
