Heading: Ema Peter
What if shaping the leaders of the future began with immersion in responsible architecture in tune with its environment? Architectural firm Provencher_Roy took on the challenge of designing a new 24,000 m² building in downtown Montréal, the Hélène Desmarais Building, for HEC Montréal, expanding the horizons of the country’s oldest business and administration school. The resulting design embodies modernity, functionality, and sustainability, the core principles that position the institution at the forefront of education and research.
Modernization on top of heritage
As HEC Montréal expanded, it turned to Provencher_Roy to design a state-of-the-art building. The Hélène Desmarais Building, named after the first woman President of the School’s Board of Directors, is located in the Ville-Marie borough, near St. Patrick’s Basilica, Beaver Hall Street, and De la Gauchetière Street West.
The structure marks a return to HEC Montréal’s original neighborhood, where the institution was founded in 1907. Over a century later, the school’s new building reflects its evolving identity – internationally recognized, forward-thinking, and committed to sustainable development. It connects the modern business world and the city’s historic fabric, incorporating materials like glass, stone, and metal to create a visually striking yet contextually sensitive presence.
A space designed for connection
The building, which includes 27 classrooms, a 296-seat amphitheater, research spaces, administrative offices, and an event and conference center, was conceived as a dynamic learning and collaboration hub. Different communal areas, including a library, cafeteria, and indoor garden, enhance the space.
Focused on community well-being, the new HEC Montréal Building fosters collaboration through a learning, research, and gathering space network. Designed to encourage interaction among students, faculty, and business professionals, it brings together diverse disciplines, cultures, and generations.
Abundance of natural light and specially curated art
A spacious cafeteria and mixed office spaces break down silos, while abundant natural light creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. The design embraces seasonal contrasts, the benefits of light therapy, and the power of in-person connections. Adding to its character, contemporary artworks by Québécois artists Nicolas Baier and Ludovic Boney were created specifically for the space.
Pedestrian circulation is structured around two perpendicular axes, linking De la Gauchetière Street West to René Lévesque Boulevard and Beaver Hall Street to the Basilica garden. At their intersection, a five-story atrium with sculptural staircases and elevators guides visitors through the building, reflecting Montréal’s geography and urban landscape. Pedestrian pathways also resolve the site’s 9-meter elevation change, combining heritage, nature, and modernity. Open and accessible on all sides, the glass, stone, and metal structure is a vital link between the city’s business community and students worldwide.
A welcoming space focused on sustainability
Careful consideration was given to material selection. All materials were sourced locally (within 800 km of the construction site), and 30% were made from recycled content. Prioritizing user health and safety, only materials free of volatile organic compounds were used.
Designed for LEED Gold certification, the building exemplifies responsible and sustainable architecture. An innovative glass cladding system enhances thermal performance, outperforming traditional curtain walls. A high-efficiency glass façade (30% above National Building Code standards), strategic openings (limited to 36% of exterior surfaces), and geothermal energy integration make the Hélène Desmarais Building a particularly energy-efficient construction. As the modern face of a historic institution, it stands as a model of responsible architecture.
Project info
Project: Hec Montréal’s Hélène-Desmarais Building
Location: Montréal, Canada
Client: HEC Montréal
Completion: September 2023
Architects: Provencher_Roy
Team: Anne Rouaud, Alain Compéra, RAIC/IRAC, Gerardo Pérez
Landscape: Provencher_Roy
Interiors: Provencher_Roy
Photography: Ema Peter
Source: v2com-newswire
