RCA - RCA – Campus Renovation and Rehabilitation

Preserving this heritage property's unique character was central to the approach. The masonry façades, former boiler house and its imposing 53-metre chimney were restored to reveal the site’s architectural and industrial qualities.

A true landmark in the Saint-Henri landscape, the chimney remains one of the site’s most defining features. Its preservation maintains a tangible connection to RCA’s manufacturing history within a decidedly contemporary campus.

The work also included replacing all windows and exterior doors, unifying the complex’s overall appearance while improving energy performance and interior quality. This intervention also helped restore the original architectural intent while increasing natural light and occupant comfort.

Developed over several decades, the complex presented significant circulation and accessibility challenges. The objective was to transform a collection of independently functioning buildings into a cohesive, connected campus centred on the occupant experience.

Adding new vertical connections, including two elevators and a new staircase, along with a universally accessible entrance on Saint-Antoine Street, significantly improved circulation and accessibility across the site.

One of the project’s main challenges was carrying out extensive work while maintaining the daily activities of the complex’s many occupants. The interventions were therefore phased over several years, requiring rigorous planning and ongoing coordination between the design teams, contractors and tenants.

Organized around an interior courtyard, the campus features a distinctive building arrangement and a strong connection to a neighbourhood known for its creative energy.

A defining intervention within the project, the new glazed atrium connects the main building to the former boiler house and becomes the campus’s central gathering point. More than a circulation space, it provides a bright setting for connection and interaction, contributing to the campus's collective life.

The transformation also includes modernizing several buildings. Block D was adapted to meet its occupants' current and future needs. The new Building E replaces an outdated structure and incorporates amenities for campus users, including bicycle storage, lockers and showers.

Together, these interventions allow established organizations to continue growing on site while creating the conditions to welcome new occupants and position RCA as a destination for knowledge-based industries.

Through a thoughtful and carefully considered approach, GKC adapted this large-scale heritage asset to contemporary needs without diminishing its distinctive character.

Today, RCA Lenoir is a connected, light-filled, and inviting campus where heritage supports innovation and community. Its historic chimney remains a powerful landmark, anchoring this renewed destination in Saint-Henri’s industrial heritage.