Centre d’expertise sur l’aluminium (CeAl) and Alcoa Innovation proudly announce the two grand prize winners of the design competition dubbed Architecture and community commitment: A tale of aluminum. Launched last November in cooperation with Association des Architectes en pratique privée du Québec (AAPPQ) and backed by funding from the Ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation (MESI), the competition promotes the innovative use of aluminum in the building sector. The two prizes were officially awarded last evening at AAPPQ’s annual cocktail event.
Grand Prize – Constellations by Érick Rivard, Marie-Noël Chouinard, Maxime Rochette, Keven Ross and Rémi Morency
In the opinion of the judges, the project best articulated the notion of the discriminating use of aluminum in sustainable, mobile or permanent architectural spaces less than 120 square metres in area. Erected in former parking lots or set up adjacent to public venues, these new covered spaces would house social, cultural and sporting activities designed to showcase the vibrancy of life in the city. Each unit entails the use of two large sheets of anodized aluminum which unfold to create an inviting shelter. The first forms seating and the enclosure proper, while the second – boasting a bright, gloss finish – floats above the space and folds down to settle gently at ground level. Perforated by hundreds of triangular openings, the aluminum canopy provides an interplay of light and shadow which reproduces the effects of the sunlit sky by day and starlit sky by night.
People’s Choice Award – Sans détour by ADHOC Architectes
Invited to vote for their concept of choice on the sites of each of CeAl and Alcoa Innovation, members of the general public selected Sans détour, a bridge concept designed to enhance oneness of community and imagined by ADHOC Architectes (Jean-François St-Onge, François Martineau, Tania Paula Garza and Pascale Bornais-Lamothe). Sans détour seeks primarily to link two worlds, two communities with much to share, namely vibrantly urban Verdun and serenely suburban Île des Sœurs. How? By erecting a bridge, literally. Constructed entirely of aluminum, the bridge would present a changing portrait based on the time of day: translucent at sunset and decidedly more opaque when the sun peaks at midday. Features include a helicoidal staircase descending to the water and panoramic overlooks intended to bring together residents living on opposite sides of the river. Source and images Courtesy of Alcoa.