Terrebonne's new Intermunicipal Police Headquarters is set in a dense forest on the edge of Terrebonne, Quebec. Designed to LEED Gold standards, this 140,000-square-foot, four-story facility serves the communities of Terrebonne, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines and Bois-des-Filion. With its layered glazing system, the building merges environmental performance, security requirements and a strong architectural presence, all while integrating with its natural surroundings.
Project team
- Architects:
Concept, plans, and specifications: Lemay
Construction: Sid Lee Architecture - Fabricator: Prelco
- Glazier: Groupe Brosseau Vitrerie
- Glass manufacturer: Walker Glass (Walker Textures Satinlite acid-etched glass)
- Photo credit: André Noël Photography
Aesthetics and visual integration
From afar, the building’s two distinct volumes emulate the surrounding forest. The upper bar recalls tree trunks in its striated form, while the darker glass base mirrors the shadowed ground. The use of Satinlite acid-etched glass gives the façade a matte quality, diffusing light and avoiding harsh reflections. This treatment reduces visual mass and allows the building to blend naturally with its environment, while the reflective interlayer adds a subtle play of light and depth that changes throughout the day.
