Centre de glaces Intact Assurance

This project was selected as a Merit winner in ARCHITECT's 2024 Architecture & Interiors Awards, Architecture: Sports and Recreation category.

“Personally, I loved the execution and the beautiful details, and that they pushed through a really strong singular idea.” –Juror John Frane

The Centre de glaces de Québec is a unique project in the province, designed for multiple ice sports and aimed at promoting vitality and movement. It celebrates Québec's enduring nordic and winter spirit. Inspired by Olympic speed skating champions, the Centre is a first for the province and the largest of its kind in North America. It features a 400-metre indoor ice ring, two Olympic-sized rinks for various ice sports, and a three-lane, 465-metre athletic track.

The building's design reflects the landscape with a metallic skin that mimics the appearance of ice. Its oval shape symbolizes the speed and fluidity of skaters. The Centre gradually reveals itself to motorists on the nearby highway, echoing their acceleration as pedestrians move alongside the building. The structure's openness fosters a community gathering place where ice skating is accessible to everyone, from Olympic athletes to beginners and families.

The Centre features a 360-degree band of windows, promoting transparency and inclusiveness by connecting the interior activities with the outside world. High-level athletic events, like speed skating, are fully visible to spectators. Inside, a multimedia banner conceals the building's mechanics while elevating the bleachers, maintaining a human scale and drawing attention to the exterior. The use of wood and steel cladding enhances acoustics and creates warmth, unifying the architectural design and signage.

Designers created a strong yet minimalist brand for the Centre, ensuring that its graphical elements are easily recognizable to both locals and international visitors. This branding supports intuitive wayfinding and orientation throughout the facility. The Centre de glaces de Québec provides a space where skaters of all levels can enjoy their sports within a natural landscape, protected by a delicately suspended ring.