1141, route de l'Église
- LocationQuébec (Québec)
- ClientSQI – Société québécoise des infrastructures
- year2024
- TeamLemay + ABCP
- Awards and distinctions
Finalist, OAQ Excellence Awards, 2025
Coup de cœur, Manuel de l’AAPPQ, 2025
- PHOTOStéphane Groleau
Restoring the brilliance and longevity of a modern landmark.
A defining feature of the Sainte-Foy skyline since the late 1960s, 1141, route de l'Église has regained its visual balance and modern character through the sensitive rehabilitation of its building envelope. The project demonstrates how Québec's modern architectural heritage can be thoughtfully renewed while preserving its identity and heritage value.
Originally built to house the Sainte-Foy post office and federal government offices, the building has stood as a landmark at the intersection of route de l'Église and boulevard Hochelaga since its completion. The intervention focused primarily on the complete replacement of the 12-storey tower and podium envelope to resolve persistent water infiltration issues while significantly improving the building's energy performance. The project also included the renewal of the surrounding public realm, with new landscaping, urban furniture, and enhanced universal accessibility to create a more welcoming environment suited to contemporary needs.
The architectural approach was grounded in a thorough understanding of the building's construction and heritage significance. Designed by Paul-Émile Samson, this Brutalist landmark retains its defining character through an envelope that faithfully reinterprets the original proportions, modular rhythm, and tectonic expression while incorporating high-performance contemporary materials and systems. The windows were restored to their original composition, re-establishing the façades' minimalist clarity, while new reinforced concrete panels improve thermal performance without compromising the building's architectural identity. Landscape improvements and architectural lighting further reinforce the presence and legibility of this urban landmark. A finalist at the OAQ Excellence Awards and recipient of the Coup de cœur distinction in the Manuel de l’AAPPQ, the project exemplifies the potential for the thoughtful renewal of Québec's modern architectural heritage.
