Sep 24 2014
Unicel Architectural, manufacturer of vision and daylight control solutions, today announced the completion of the Prefontaine metro station renovation project.
Prefontaine is a subway station on the Green Line of the Montreal Metro rapid transit system located in the district of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. It originally opened in June 1976 for the Montreal Olympic Games as part of the extension of the Green Line to Honore-Beaugrand.
The renovation project dictated the preservation of original 1970's design elements while completely upgrading and replacing the broad expanse of glass and skylights. Architects Provencher Roy Associes Architectes sought to implement a skylight system that would seamlessly match complex esthetic styling while ensuring arduous performance requirements.
"The Prefontaine's architectural design is notable for its generous use of skylights to infuse the mezzanine and tunnel areas with natural light," said Jean-Francois Couturier, CEO of Unicel Architectural. "The Prefontaine project presented a notable challenge in that complex design elements had to be preserved with a skylight solution that could also withstand the strong reverberations of a metro station. We were honored to be entrusted with this important design project."
Prior to installation, the Unicel skylight system was tested for yield performance, resistance to water infiltration, and its ability to absorb the huge piston effect which is produced by trains entering and leaving the station. Today, the Prefontaine Metro Station features the same generous levels of natural lighting and distinctive design to make it a noteworthy example of public transport architecture. The skylight systems are built to withstand the most extreme temperatures and rugged vibrations.