A groundbreaking 91-unit intergenerational housing cooperative has opened in a newly developed Montreal district, representing a citizen-led initiative to combat the city's ongoing housing crisis. The Coop Milieu de l'Île project, designed by Pivot coopérative d'architecture, spans 1,525 square meters and was completed in 2024, offering affordable, off-market housing solutions for residents of different generations.
The innovative design emerged from extensive community workshops with the cooperative's founding members and future residents. These collaborative design sessions helped architects understand residents' priorities and desires while fostering a sense of community even before move-in. The participatory approach ensured that the final design reflected the actual needs and aspirations of those who would call the development home.
Architecturally, the project features two interlocking volumes that respond thoughtfully to the surrounding urban context. A two-story brick section houses family units and maintains the human scale characteristic of neighboring residential areas. Meanwhile, a striking white six-story metal section reflects the scale of nearby university campus buildings, creating a visual dialogue with the academic environment.
The building's design philosophy embraces an additive logic reminiscent of neighboring industrial structures, which were often built through successive extensions using different materials and construction technologies. The sculpted metal facades strategically envelop the building's balconies, maximizing views for residents while protecting privacy and optimizing solar orientation throughout the day.
The architectural elements create rhythmic industrial references, with angles reminiscent of factory roofs and silos that acknowledge the area's industrial heritage. The brick volume appears as a foundational element from an earlier era, to which the contemporary metal volume has been seamlessly added. Distinctive copper surfaces emerge where sections of the volumes have been carved out to accommodate shared community spaces.
Sustainability features prominently in the project's design, with the development located in a LEED AQ-certified neighborhood and exceeding standard energy performance requirements. Bioclimatic strategies were implemented throughout to enhance residents' well-being, including maximized cross-ventilation systems and a Canadian well installed beneath the courtyard floor to pre-heat the building's incoming air supply.
The project represents more than just innovative architecture – it serves as a powerful antidote to speculative real estate markets that fuel housing crises in urban centers. By creating stable, affordable housing through cooperative ownership, the development returns residential construction to its fundamental purpose: creating meaningful places for people to live and thrive in community with others.
