CONSERVATION CENTRE

The Morgan Arboretum is a 245 hectare forest reserve located on the western end of the island of Montreal. It is a popular destination for nature lovers, offering a wide variety of four season trails and educational opportunities. 

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The aging infrastructure at the Arboretum has provided the opportunity to provide a new set of built structures that will enhance the experience for all visitors. The proposed Conservation Centre, pays homage to the existing facility through its simple form and the reuse of the concrete slab; a substantial carbon sink. 

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The new Conservation Centre will act as a place of refuge for Arboretum  visitors in all seasons. In partnership with local companies the building will be made of prefabricated CLT panels and act as an experimentation grounds for testing buoyancy ventilation. Buoyancy ventilation is a method of space conditioning in the absence of mechanically assisted systems. Paired with the roof geometry and occupant heat loads, wood is used as a thermal mass that drives air movement in the building.

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The multi-purpose assembly hall of the Conservation Centre, will provide a space for knowledge sharing and collaboration. The space can be used for events, lectures, meetings, and as a classroom. The exterior cladding will utilized locally harvested pine, cedar and spruce from the Arboretum. The siding will be naturally preserved by methods such as torrefication and wood charring.