Hotel Opus

Built in 1915 in the Art Nouveau Spirit, with undulating facades, balconies in wrought metal and central spiral staircase, this avant-garde work in reinforced concrete by Montreal’s Josephe Arthur Godin underwent a profound transformation in 2004. The architect Dan Hanganu, well known for his ability to get the best out of complex urban situations, fixes onto the building a volume made up of several times its size while respecting the standards stemming from its classification as a “historical monument”. With a grey covering the construction has an identical frame and windows on the five floors as well as a large glass surface on the ground level. The roof covers a part of the original building which preserves its concrete ceilings and columns. The interior design bears the Yabu Pushelberg label, famous for the Hotel W in Times Square in New York. After a brief existence under the name “Godin” the hotel located in the heart of trendy Montreal has been rechristened “Opus”. Its purchaser, John de C. Evans (Trilogy Properties Corporation) decided against a radical redefinition of its design, but just to offer it some cosmetic changes to better reflect the brand. This is not a renovation, but new colours in the rooms. Four environments correspond to four styles of contemporary urban life. Chartreuse green, raspberry pink, bright orange and purple blue will better reflect the personality of future occupants. In the marble entrance, contemporary furniture and sculptures in wood contrast with steel structures. Cement ceilings are placed next to cork lined walls. This intimate hotel with 136 rooms combines sobriety and comfort. And sophistication in the restaurant bar Koko and in the Suco Lounge. Run by Katherine Evans, the Opus redefines the experience of the shop hotel. State of the art design and historical tones join in a Montreal spirit.

Scandinave Les Bains Vieux-Montréal

Architects Gilles Saucier and Andre Perrotte point up the change of the old warehouses located in the quays of the Montreal’s Vieux Port into urban spa. “The formal part of the project comes from the contact between heat and cold, more specifically, the natural phenomena associated with these two conditions” their designers explain. “The project distils the idea of the cold forms of glaciers and hot volcanic stones. Angular masses of a glacial topography combined with a volcanic geology speak of this duality at the centre of the heat treatment experience supplied by this spa.” This duality is concretised in the form of the spaces and the choice of the materials. Combining main space, an undulating wood ceiling echoes the floor while the white marble walls seem to melt down at the contact point with the hot colour of the ceiling wood. Walls, floors and ceilings are slightly inclined. “The subtlety of these angles offers a special perception that is different to the everyday: the awareness of the relationship between the body and its environment is enhanced, which lets the visitor recharge his batteries.” In fact as in a natural landscape, light undulations in the ground create slight slopes and depressions in the wall generating water basins for bathing. At times the volumes emerge from the ground to sculpt the interior zones, sauna or steam bath. Opal glass walls offer natural light to the bath zone, preserving intimacy and keeping a contact with urban life. The heated cantilevered black slate benches and the candle lit relaxation room offer warm places to relax.