Projects / Baie-Comeau Water Treatment Plant
A Dialogue with the River
Inspired by this strong connection to water, STGM envisioned an architectural expression that translates this visual relationship into the building itself.
In Baie-Comeau, the proximity of the St. Lawrence River shapes not only the landscape but also the way people experience their environment. The project draws from the ever-changing qualities of the river to create a distinctive envelope that responds to light and to its natural surroundings.
A Façade Inspired by the States of Water
The architectural concept evokes the transition from liquid to solid through a façade treatment that is unique within the city. Two aluminum cladding systems interact to express this transformation. Large panels with a smooth, reflective finish gradually give way to white bands with irregular shapes and varying widths. This progression suggests a form of architectural crystallization, as if the fluid surface were slowly solidifying.
Light in Motion
The white cladding becomes a dynamic canvas. Its relief creates subtle shadow patterns that evolve throughout the day, bringing movement to otherwise opaque surfaces. In contrast, the smooth aluminum panels capture and reflect the surrounding landscape. The building thus engages with its wooded setting, mirroring the forest and reinforcing its connection to the territory.
A Welcoming Entrance Sequence
At the heart of the composition, a wooden screen wall is inserted into the architectural volume. This warm material gesture extends outward and unfolds into a canopy that guides employees toward the building entrance. The sequence creates a gentle transition between the natural landscape and the workplace, while introducing a human scale to the overall project.