Innovative solution gives new life to heritage building.
Working on a modern heritage project is a major challenge that calls for sensitivity, creativity, and a certain degree of audacity. The architecture of the late 1970s is still recent enough to shape our urban landscapes, while reflecting the social changes and vitality of its era. In this respect, the building at 1141-1145 route de l’Église is no exception. Originally built to house a post office branch, it was the first federal government building constructed outside Quebec City’s downtown core. It reflected the municipality of Sainte-Foy’s growth and stood as the tallest tower in the area at the time.
Like many concrete buildings designed in Quebec’s Brutalist architectural style, the structure at 1141 route de l’Église needed extensive intervention. To ensure its preservation and future, it was necessary to develop solutions adapted to the construction techniques of the time, while also retracing the building’s architectural origins to analyze its essential components. By understanding the uniqueness of the original design, it became possible to develop an innovative cladding system capable of conforming to the contours of the existing structure. This new, perfectly watertight envelope also significantly improves the building’s energy performance. Contemporary finishing materials and an updated lighting scheme add brilliance to the building’s renewed image.
With this envelope renovation, the building regains its visual balance and modernity while preserving its architectural identity. The iconic concrete building continues to stand out in the urban landscape for its distinct character and formal simplicity. Thanks to the extensive rehabilitation of its envelope and targeted architectural interventions, the building has entered a new phase of life—demonstrating how heritage architecture can be revitalized to meet contemporary standards of comfort and energy efficiency, without compromising its original spirit.
