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DEMIX BÉTON
Canadian Formula One Grand Prix Paddock Takes Top Honours
Ready just in time to host the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix in June 2019 on Montreal’s Île Notre-Dame, the new paddock at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve took top honours this year by winning in the Innovation category of the Grand Prix d’excellence awarded by the Ordre des architectes du Québec. The project was notable for its elegance and bold visual impact reflecting the international scope of the Canadian Grand Prix.
The requirements were numerous and complex in the context of this highly publicized mandate through which the City of Montreal replaced the old paddock with a permanent building meeting the criteria of the Formula 1 world championship.
A highly monitored construction site
Begun in August 2018, the project had a very tight schedule, as it had to be completed in the 10 months between the annual Canadian Grand Prix events. The project was masterfully carried out by our client, the construction company Geyser Group, whose progress was closely monitored, notably by the City of Montreal, the Fédération internationale de l’automobile (FIA) and the many journalists interested in the project. The construction site was also filmed by cameras day and night, adding to the pressure of the project!
Nevertheless, the efforts have paid off, and the end result is a huge success. The new paddock includes garages for the teams, offices for the FIA and the event promoter, a lounge area with a capacity of 5,000 people and a multimedia centre for journalists and broadcasters.
Demix Béton, which was responsible for supplying the concrete for the entire project, is proud to be associated with this world- class mandate that required 7,987 m3 of concrete. Our contribution in providing a high-quality product on Montreal’s Notre Dame Island, which is difficult to access for concrete delivery, was greatly appreciated.
Keeping sustainable development in mind
This project was also recognized for its sustainable development aspect, as the architect planned out the building’s full life cycle from the outset. It is designed to be dismantled and its materials can be fully reused. The structure of the roof allows the sequestration of more than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 and the solar panels produce enough electricity to compensate for the energy expenditure of the building during the Grand Prix. This is a great showcase for Quebec’s commitment to sustainable development!
HE PRIX D’EXCELLENCE EN ARCHITECTURE AT A GLANCE
The Prix d’excellence en architecture awarded by the Ordre des architectes du Québec has been showcasing exemplary architectural achievements by Quebec architects and raising public awareness of architectural quality and the role of the architect since 1978.
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December 2020 | THE CONVEYOR | 15
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