Odea Montréal | ELEMA - Structural Engineering Firm

Client :Creeco and Cogir
Architecture :Lemay in collaboration with Douglas Cardinal Architect
Area :32 980 m² (355 000 pi²)

The Odea Montréal project, composed of 26 floors above ground and two basements totalling 355,000 sq. ft., integrates the existing building at 270 Prince and the existing facade of 280 Prince to form a new multi-use complex, with mainly residential units (condos and rental), as well as commercial and museum programs on the lower floors. Terraces and swimming pools are located on the roof of the 10th and 26th floors.

The architecture, designed by Douglas Cardinal and Lemay, is inspired in several ways by First Nations’ culture, using curved forms which required creative structural strategies in order to preserve the functionality of the spaces. Moreover, the name of the Odea project is based on the Cree word “ode” meaning “canoe” which explains the subtle and stylized use of this symbol in the architecture of the various facades.

Technical challenges :

The complex shape of the "concave canoe" required the integration of "sliding" columns on each floor to match the shape of the architectural envelope.
Integration of the existing building into the new construction and its seismic upgrade was performed by linking it to the bracing cores using a concrete diaphragm.

Notable solutions and innovations :

Reuse of underpinning structures dating from the 1950s to install the retention basin under the existing preserved building.
Carrying out, in collaboration with the geotechnical engineer, of a soil pressure study in order to eliminate the pile foundations initially set out for the project. This process also allowed the improvement of the seismic class from D to C.