In January 2014, we finally could admire the new STM Stinson Transport Centre located in Montreal’s St-Laurent district. The Centre’s design project was given to Lemay, an architectural firm whose objective was to integrate this new building in its residential surroundings without raising both visual and air pollution. Ceragres collaborated with the architects to find the best exterior cladding for the building that accommodates 300 buses and up to 800 STM employees.

A Colourful Footbridge

The building is easily recognizable by its long bright yellow footbridge, a colour that is true to the STM identity. Dedicated to the company’s administration offices, this footbridge is covered in ceramic ventilated cladding, an innovative product distributed by Ceragres. The infinite colour range was a very important first argument for the architectural firm, which worked very hard to make the building appealing and distinctive. The ceramic panels are offered in more than 150 colours that will never be subject to discolouration and will keep their brightness even when in direct contact with UV rays.

Durable Brightness

In addition to offering a vast colour selection, ceramic ventilated cladding is known for its durability and versatility. In fact, one of the most important factors to consider is a building’s resistance to climate variations. The manufacturing and elements of ceramic cladding make it perfectly suited for harsh Quebec winters. The ceramic panels used for the exterior cladding go through a hydrophilic treatment that provides surprising self-cleaning and antibacterial properties. Dirt does not stick to the cladding, so it can be easily cleaned with water. Therefore, rain works as a natural cleaner, allowing owners to significantly save on energy and maintenance costs.

An Environmentally Friendly Cladding

The use of ventilated cladding for a transport centre is even more interesting when the material contributes to the improvement of surrounding air quality. When exposed to light, a catalyst featured in the enamel gets activated and cleans the surrounding air. Polluting molecules such as nitrous oxide emanating from the buses naturally deposit on the ceramic surface. Activated by sunlight, the catalyst uses surrounding oxygen to transform these polluting elements into harmless components such as mineral salts, which will then be released into the air. This is the result of HT Technology, technology that cleans and deodorizes air simultaneously. This action is the equivalent of planting trees around the building.

The Stinson Transport Centre received LEED Gold certification for its contribution to the highest standards of sustainability.

About Ceragres

For more than 25 years, Ceragres has been a leader in the ceramic industry, investing in design, expertise and innovation. Ceramic, natural stone and specialized product importer, Ceragres counts more than 200 employees, six Boutique Workspaces, 60 Ceragres Tileshops across Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. A reference in the architectural and design industry, Ceragres offers a complete range of diversified specialized products and a high quality technical customer service. 

About Lemay

Founded in 1957 as an architectural practice, Lemay is one of Canada’s leading integrated design services firms, merging architecture, urban design, interiors, landscape, engineering, sustainability and branding into a multidisciplinary and synergistic ensemble. With 10 offices worldwide (including a New York office since 2015) and ranked 79th according to the World Architecture (WA), Lemay is also one of Canada’s most creative and awarded firms, with over 300 awards and prizes. Leveraging its unique blend of creativity, capacity and expertise, Lemay champions its clients’ aspirations, enhances users’ quality of life and strives to build a brighter future for our communities. 

Architects: Lemay

Exterior cladding: Ceragres
Photo credits: Stéphane Groleau