Maximilien-Caron Pavillon – University of Montreal
University of Montreal
Montreal, Canada
2020-2022
SIMCO (formerly COSIGMA) supported the Université de Montréal through all stages of the façade restoration project for the Maximilien-Caron Pavilion. Located in the heart of Mount Royal, the Maximilien-Caron Pavilion at the Université de Montréal is an iconic seven-story building, constructed of reinforced concrete and partially covered in masonry. Its exposed buttresses, distinctive elements of its structural frame, reflect bold architecture.
Given the high architectural and heritage value of the pavilion, situated in a protected area of Mont Royal, the final appearance of all concrete repairs was a major concern. The repairs had to replicate the texture and appearance of the existing concrete. SIMCO was initially commissioned to establish a repair methodology. A qualification process was therefore implemented, including close-up inspection, concrete characterization, and repair samples. In a second phase, SIMCO’s mandate was amended to include the preparation of plans and specifications and the supervision of restoration work.
Expertise to preserve the building’s visual identity and durability
- Analysis of the capacity of buttress and panel anchors
- Characterization of existing concrete to define mechanical and aesthetic properties
- Qualification of repair products through laboratory testing
- Plans and specifications
- Supervision of the rehabilitation work
The main challenges for planning the work were maintaining the building operational functions, ensuring access to the façades, and protecting reinforcement with minimal concrete cover without extra thickness.
