Palou la coccinelle Daycare Center

2022

The project involved the expansion and reconfiguration of a Childcare Centre (CPE) located in a residential neighborhood of Pointe-aux-Trembles. The centre originally accommodated 78 children, including 10 infants, in a two-storey facility. Due to increasing local demand, it was decided to double its capacity by constructing a new adjoining facility able to welcome 80 additional children. The project was conceived as a respectful integration with the existing building while affirming a contemporary, playful architectural identity suited to a young and dynamic educational environment.

Project Information

Construction of a new childcare centre (CPE)

Installation of a commercial kitchen in the existing CPE

Complete exterior landscaping

Construction Duration

1 year

Construction Cost

2 600 000$

Architectural Approach and Design

The extension reinterprets the materials of the existing building—brick and siding—through lighter and more uniform tones. The beige façade and grey metal roof create a soft contrast with the original structure while giving the new volume a bright and cohesive presence. This choice reinforces the visual continuity with the white windows of the original building and ensures a natural integration within the neighborhood context, largely composed of residences with light-colored materials.

A key element of the project lies in the “gap” between the existing building and the extension. Treated as a central connection point, it houses a glazed vestibule that provides a fluid and transparent transition between the two volumes. A bright red canopy—an allusion to the ladybug emblem of the CPE—marks the entrance and animates the façade with a playful touch of color. Visible from this entry, the infants’ outdoor play area becomes a living showcase of the centre’s daily life.

To reflect the playful nature of the program, two types of windows were integrated into the façade: large fixed panes at children’s height, acting as openings onto the world, and smaller operable windows arranged in a more irregular pattern, evoking portholes and the spirit of play. This dynamic composition continues inside, where the placement of openings helps structure themed areas within the play spaces.

Inside, the spaces were organized according to age groups: infants are located on the ground floor, while older children occupy the upper level. The corridors are punctuated by lockers with beveled shapes and vibrant gradient colors, bringing energy and clear visual cues to the circulation spaces.

The play areas, in contrast, feature more calming tones dominated by blues and turquoises, creating an environment that supports well-being, exploration, and creativity.