Îlot Balmoral

Îlot Balmoral, a 13-storey mixed-use building, rises as a testimony to Montréal’s creative economy. One of the final major developmental pieces of the ‘Quartier des Spectacles’, the impressive structure sits adjacent to Place des Festivals, and is the new home of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB). It distinguishes itself with its two volumes, positioned on either side of an immense oblique fault line that is further emphasized by its bright-red hue. Its strong architectural identity is based on the simple alignment of its perimeter envelope and the contrasting complexity of its diagonal atrium space. Public access and circulation through the building’s ground floor are encouraged by a pedestrian pathway and atrium space running diagonally across the site. Through its mission and program, the building contributes to the boldness of its district, and is the reincarnation of downtown Montréal’s social and cultural vocation.