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PERFORM Centre recognized for innovative interior

Concordia's PERFORM Centre wins award for design
January 10, 2012
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By Christian Durand


The PERFORM Centre was one of 49 winners of the Grands Prix du Design, an annual contest that showcases the talents of provincial interior designers and architects. Concordia’s newest research facility, designed by Montreal-based architectural firm of Saia Barbarese Topouzanov and Adad Hannah won the rehabilitation centre award, in the health care category, bestowed at a gala on December 14.

The PERFORM Centre was recognized for its use of materials and colours, and for its innovative lighting concept. | Photo by Concordia University
The PERFORM Centre was recognized for its use of materials and colours, and for its innovative lighting concept. | Photos by Concordia University

“We felt as though we created an original interior space that is warm and accessible,” says Dino Barbarese, one of the lead architects who designed the PERFORM Centre. “We paid particular attention to the use of natural light and windows in order to connect the different parts of the building.”

The 8,000 sq. m PERFORM Centre, located on Loyola Campus, houses state-of-the-art laboratories, conditioning equipment and functional assessment suites dedicated to better health through prevention. The building has been designed to serve the research, teaching and community engagement activities of the centre.

The north-facing facade features a wall of windows to maximize natural light. Situated on the south side of Sherbrooke Street West, the building was constructed on an inclination that descends towards De Maisonneuve Street West. The hallways are painted in warm, inviting yellow and orange tones.

Windows on the east side of the main floor feature lines that gradually connect with the front of the building to create an eye effect that overlooks the landscaped entrance to the centre. The open-concept conditioning and rehabilitation floor is surrounded by hallways on the second floor.

The ample windows found on the main and second floors of the PERFORM Centre symbolize the interconnectedness of the facility’s three main areas of focus: research, education and community engagement.

“An architect is only as good as the client he or she works for,” explains Barbarese. “This project required the collaboration of numerous different departments within Concordia under a strict timeline. We were particularly impressed with how open the university was to our architectural vision.”

Leap, the public art that adorns the facade of the PERFORM Centre was created by Montreal artist and Concordia alumnus, Adad Hannah. This dynamic work spans two floors and features seventeen human figures engaged in various physical movements. The models used in this work were selected from among Concordia students, staff and faculty.

The Grands Prix de Design were co-founded in 2007 by Intérieurs magazine and the Fonds d’Études et de Recherches en Design d’Intérieur de l’Est.

Watch the video of the PERFORM Centre or explore 360° panoramas:



Related links:
•  “Les Grands Prix du Design 2011” – La Presse, December 14, 2011 
•  PERFORM Centre 
•  Grands Prix du Design 
•  Saia Barbarese Topouzanov Architectes 


 



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