Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Exploration Centre

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, Exhibition and Event Complex, Laval Building, Architecture Images

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Exploration Centre in Laval

Sustainable Building Development in Quebec, Canada design by Cardin Julien

3 Sep 2019

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles

Architecture: Cardin Julien

Location: Laval, southwestern Quebec (north of Montreal), Canada

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

Visitors to Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles can now enjoy a new building, which includes an interpretation centre for the river and its ecosystems, as well as sporting and educational activities on an annual basis. The park’s reception pavilion provides special access to its protected wildlife zone, which is the largest one in the entire metropolitan area.

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

Parc de la Rivière des Mille-Îles’ multipurpose centre is an important new facility for the City of Laval: it serves as a community and educational resource, a service area, and a support centre for the park’s activities. It is open to the general public, schools, and children’s groups.

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

The main building is comprised of 3 floors. The ground floor is home to a large multipurpose hall that has a view of the river (café, reception, diffusion), a monitoring room (conferences and events), and museum programming (exhibition, animal reserve). The lower level (river level) houses the equipment rental area and a locker room, an ecology laboratory, researchers’ offices, and day camp facilities. A multipurpose room, which can be rented and divided into three sections, is located upstairs alongside the employee relaxation area.

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

In order for the project to integrate seamlessly into its environment, the use of wood was recommended for the building’s exterior. This material, which can also be found inside the building, fosters a warm environment and allows a connection between visitors and the nature around them. In addition, the structure was built in such a way that it preserves the mature trees growing onsite.

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

Cardin Julien minded every detail throughout the process of building the interpretation centre. Most notably, the firm recommended raised floors for the exhibition area to enhance the space’s comfort, aesthetic, and flexibility in terms of layout.

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

The project also included a renovation of the old stable, repurposing it as a workshop and equipment distribution kiosk (watercraft, docks, supports). In addition, the project entailed designing a new exterior site to include parking, a bike path, pedestrian walkways, and landscaping.

The building is the City of Laval’s first public project to aim for LEED NC 2009 GOLD certification. The firm paid particular attention to water conservation by designing a system to recycle rainwater. Energy conservation is also at the heart of the building’s design, most notably with a high-performance envelope and the integration of vegetation (roofs and walls).

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Exploration Centre, Laval – Building Information

Location: Laval, Québec, Canada
Budget: $11.5 M
Project end date:
Surface area: 12,400 pi2
Client: City of Laval
Architects and designers: Cardin Julien
Project manager: Jean-François Julien
Landscape architect: Marc Fauteux
Engineers: WSP
Contractor: Groupe Geyser
Project leed and commissioning: BPA

About Cardin Julien
Founded in Montreal in 1992, Cardin Julien designs and implements key projects in the form of landmark sustainable buildings. The firm creates spaces that are adapted to their visitors, thanks to its experience and know-how in planning and designing complex installations.

Its unique edge lies in transforming limitations into creative solutions. Cardin Julien relies on its team’s wealth of experience – a team that, over the years, has developed unique expertise by establishing a successful track record with innovative projects.

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles Exploration Centre

Images: David Boyer and Jean-François Julien

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Exploration Centre in Laval images / information received 040919 from v2com newswire

Location: Laval, Québec, Canada

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