Jean-Talon Market SAQ

Montreal, Canada

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Jean-Talon Market SAQ

Montreal, Canada

Firm

Archipel architecture

Type

Commercial › Retail Supermarket

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2015

SIZE

1000 sqft - 3000 sqft

BUDGET

$5M - 10M

Photos

Julien gne (7)

In 2013, the Montreal Corporation of Public Markets commissioned us to plan the construction of a new commercial building. It would host a state sponsored liquor store (SAQ), a recyclable material and compost management area for the Jean-Talon public market, a small shop and a underground parking lot. The new building is set on the north-west part of the Jean-Talon market, on the edge of Casgrain avenue, next to an historic building occupied by “Première Moisson” bakery. The project’s landscaping connected the market’s plaza to the city’s new “Parklets” in the axis of Shamrock street. The design esthetics of the main building on Henri-Julien street was used to ensure a harmonious integration with the rest of the market’s campus.

The SAQ met the design professionals in the planning stages to promote innovation and sustainable design for their new shop. The proposed approach was to limit interior finishes and give the raw character associated with public markets. The idea of creating a large hall over the main sales area was proposed. A FSC certified black spruce structure unfolds over a 74 m length. Strategically placed windows provide natural light and artificial LED lights with sensors compensate for low lighting situations on cloudy days. These sensors also control automated window blinds when direct sunlight becomes problematic. The building has a solar wall, allowing the preheating of the air and thus reduce energy consumption. A white roof membrane has been selected and now welcomes a new bee hive colony. The recovery of wood crates and pallets, used to transport the wine bottles, served as raw material for the creation of the sales furniture. The project has been submitted for a LEED-CI Gold certification.

To allow the use of experimental materials, the SAQ had to take responsibility for some of the landscaping products. A section of in situ poured concrete slab incorporates the new Verrox glass powder. The Permacon company produced the first ever batch of concrete pavers to incorporate the same powder for the public plaza. Eco-friendly pavers, manufactured by Gaudreau Environnement, composed of compressed plastic bags and recycled glass bottles mark the entrance of the SAQ. It is estimated that 10 300 glass bottles were recycled in the project.