Maison Alcan Strategic Masterplan

Completed in 1983, Maison Alcan’s integration of new construction with restored or renovated buildings marked a turning point in corporate Montreal’s approach to development.

The mandate for this project covered the development of a strategic Master plan for the public domain of the Maison Alcan Complex. This domain is defined as the internal and external open/circulation spaces, and the cultural and retail spaces of the complex accessible to the public. The purpose of this work was to identify and validate alternative uses for the project.

The Alcan Complex, formerly the headquarters of the Alcan Aluminum company, was recently acquired by entertainment magnate Guy Laliberte, owner of Cirque du Soleil. This places the site in a strategic position, as the new ownership implies a strong identity shift, one with tremendous civic potential, in the wake of the complex’s 30th anniversary.

The research team carried out an extensive research and analysis on the history, uses and cultural significance of the complex, urban context, contemporary trends, and relevant precedents towards the identification of key opportunities and potentials. New ideas were explored, and existing ones validated through a retrospective research and projective analysis.