La Taule by Architecture Microclimat in Quebec.

Sport that drives social dynamics paired with architecture that is attentive to the needs of the local community can make a big difference. This is what we see in the La Taule sports centre designed by Canadian-based firm Architecture Microclimat, and winner of the Grands Prix du Design 2015 (Fitness Centre category).



The La Taule sports centre was built in Waterloo, in the Eastern Townships region, about 100 km east of Montréal. An old jail was converted into a fitness centre in 2010, and the facility was so successful that to meet its expanding needs, the owner decided to move to a developing neighbourhood of the township in 2014.





Architecture Microclimat, founded in 2013 by Guillaume Marcoux and Olivier Lajeunesse-Travers was commissioned to design the new La Taule sports centre. The architects responded with a visually striking building, where the actual construction is used for the sports and fitness activities: the mezzanine supports the horizontal bars, the staircase offers two side-by-side flights of steps, for both foot traffic and training, gymnastic rings are suspended from the ceiling, and an outdoor area was left open for training.



Microclimat opted for a large, split-level open space, bringing a range of sporting enthusiasts under a single roof in an environment with stand-out materials - red cedar, cherry wood and steel. These have been combined to create bright, clean interiors, taking the whole feel to another plane, with a warm, inviting space. 





But still, appearances do count and the fact that La Taule won the Grands Prix du Design 2015 award (Fitness Centre category) tells us a lot about the design quality of the building completed by Microclimat. The local residents really appreciate its beauty, as do the facility users, and it has become a real meeting point for the community, not just a drawcard for sports and fitness enthusiasts.





La Taule by Microclimat is actually a perfect example of sustainable architecture, pairing its great social value for the residents with the construction's style and durability, a blueprint for feasible development to the benefit of its users.

Christiane Bürklein

Project:  Microclimat: microclimat.ca
Location: Waterloo, Quebec, Canada
Structural Engineer: Geniex
Year: 2015
Photo: Adrien Williams
Website La Taule: la-taule.com
Thanks to v2com