Goodbye tristesse! Habitations Saint-Michel Nord, Montreal, Quebec
Goodbye tristesse! Habitations Saint-Michel Nord, Montreal, Quebec
Winner of an 2021 OAQ award, the renewal of this 1970s housing development brings a colourful palette and smart urbanism to Montreal’s social housing.
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PROJECT Habitations Saint-Michel Nord, Montreal, Quebec
ARCHITECT Saia Barbarese Topouzanov Architectes
PHOTOS James Brittain
One’s first impression of Habitations Saint-Michel Nord is one of surprise. Surprise at a symphony of super-sized cylinders in reality, glorified fire exits projecting from the front façades. The festive mood, as exemplified in the transformation of this major 50-year-old housing project, is indicative of a radical change of attitude towards social housing.The original buildings have been stripped of their dull-brown masonry and concrete façades, and are now clad in vibrantly coloured brick, with staircases to match. This unabashed celebration of life send