New Zealand Commercial Design Trends Series NZ Commercial Design Trends Vol. 33/04C | Page 83

Facing page:Inner light – the
design shapes the apartments
around the inner courtyard, an
arrangement that facilitates easy
access to the units as well as
natural light penetration.
Right:The rakish access stairs
echo the jagged angles of the
triangular cladding tiles.
the courtyard is the secret jewel hidden inside.”
La Géode is located on de la Roche, in the
neighbourhood of Le Plateau Mont-Royal – a
traditionally vibrant residential environment with
many brick frontages. In response, ADHOC
has created La Géode’s street-facing facade in
brickwork punctuated by windows that loosely
approximate to building frontages to left and right.
Set into this classic facade is the opening to an
access tunnel lined in triangular metal tiles – a fresh
material language for a new style of dwelling.
“The tiles’ shimmering tones blend with the hues
of the sky – their sparkling materiality reminiscent of
the geode’s crystal-studded interior,” says St-Onge.
“The headers in the brick layer on the street
facade reflect the mineral roughness and protective
aspect of the geode.”
The main advantages of La Geode for the city
of Montreal are the non-disruption of the classic
streetscape and the revitalisation of an urban
environment that residential occupancy brings.
“For residents, however, the advantages are
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