Sid Lee Architecture, in collaboration with Aedifica has created this interesting work at the Place des Arts, Montreal. Transforming a walking passage area into a vibrant space that feels like a chic lounge, its design represents the high point of a remarkable whole; the curved shape is inspired by decorative elements on the exterior of Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, just as its immense ceramic columns are reminiscent of the grandiose aspects of the performance halls found in the same complex.
On a black and white background, the red curtain dramatically serves to link the Salon with the performing arts, evoking evenings of grandeur and creating a stagelike setting, a mysterious and blurred boundary. In the daytime, the Salon’s windows let in natural light, also connecting it to the urban environment. The bar is a hymn to art, a sound wave in physical form, the key element in a mobile world; the simple, open, and functional space is furnished with reconfigurable furniture, providing the ideal backdrop for a variety of special events, from talks and cocktail parties to launches, exhibitions, and private receptions.
The Salon urbain can be quiet and enveloping, or open, elegant, and modern. Rooted to its surroundings, it’s destined to become a meeting place, a must-see destination that will attract a clientele all its own.
