Centre Lise et Yvon Lamarre:

A Place to Live, A Space for the Future

^{Photo: ©Claude-Simon Langlois}

We were commissioned to build the Centre Lise et Yvon Lamarre (Yvon Lamarre Foundation). This innovative project aims to fill a major gap in housing resources for young adults with autism (aged 21 to 35), and to offer daytime activity services adapted to their specific needs. The design of the building takes into account the sensory particularities of people with autism and was carried out in collaboration with the architectural firm Lemay.

The building stands on a three-floor wooden structure in a residential area in Montréal. The garden level, operated by CIUSS, is dedicated to the day center, with its multifunctional rooms, gym, and sensory room. On the first and second floors, there are 16 rooms for permanent residents and the necessary living spaces. A full commercial kitchen and dining room are also available. The two living floors are divided into four households of four rooms each, identified by different colors. Each house has its own living room and bathroom.
 

A well-thought-out construction!

We built the Centre with its residents in mind. At the heart of our preoccupations was our desire to create a living environment that was welcoming and adapted to its clientele. 

People with autism perceive stimuli in their environment without filter or selection. A large majority are hypersensitive to sound or light. These particularities have been considered in the following ways:  

• EDP studies were conducted to measure lighting levels in the rooms. The aim is to ensure uniform levels, to avoid variations from room to room. 

• The rooms were also soundproofed using materials such as sound-absorbing insulation, resilient channels, and surface acoustic materials that absorb sound to minimize echoes and reduce noise transmission from one room to another.

• Furthermore, the wall protection level was also reinforced with impact-resistant drywall and special coatings, thus reducing the risk of injuries in case of impact.

• The landscaping was designed with the senses in mind. For example, a variety of fragrant, colorful, tactile, and edible plants can be found here.

• Space planning: 

  • People with autism are sensitive to change. To facilitate activities, transition zones have been created. We have, for example, designed a hallway with a wider, open area that includes benches to facilitate the transition between common spaces and bedrooms. 

  • Curved lines were also to be favored, so we tried to avoid sharp angles as much as possible by creating curved walls in strategic places. 

Construction Challenges: Creating a Tailored Living Environment

Space  

As the residence shares a plot of land with the adjacent church, we had to adapt our working methods, working by zone and sector, and coordinating subcontractors efficiently. 

Location

Since the work is taking place in a residential environment, we had to pay particular attention to noise and dust. Municipal nuisance by-laws were respected

Two different building codes

We also had to deal with two different building codes, one for the day-care center on the garden level and the other for the residence on the other two floors, which added a certain level of complexity requiring rigorous planning, effective coordination, and specialized technical expertise.

Expertise and Collaboration: A Successful Project with Our Partners      

Pomerleau's deep experience in construction and design was put to good use in this project, notably by drawing on our expertise acquired during the construction of the Giant Steps School in Montreal. 

Pomerleau also worked closely with the project's subcontractors to design value-engineering solutions. Plans, materials, and construction techniques were reviewed at the pre-project stage, enabling the project to be completed in a functional and cost-saving manner.