Commissioned by the City of Montréal, the Sanaaq Cultural and Community Centre is a transformative hub for Indigenous culture and community life in the city’s western downtown. Named after a novel by Inuit writer Mitiarjuk Attasie Nappaaluk, it houses a range of multi-functional spaces, including a performance and exhibition hall, library, community rooms, culinary and music/digital labs, and a community café—all aimed at fostering cultural diversity and connection.
CIMA+ played a pivotal role in delivering the project, which targeted advanced LEED certification. As lead for both the structural and mechanical-electrical design, CIMA+ implemented advanced engineering solutions such as large cantilevers, composite floor systems, energy-efficient mechanical systems and sophisticated lighting.
Using innovative solutions to achieve LEED certification
High-performance building systems were essential to meeting the project’s LEED certification goals and drive energy efficiency, user comfort and long-term sustainability. The electrical distribution system was optimized with dedicated, strategically located electrical panels that increase load-distribution efficiency, minimize losses and improve maintenance access—all within the physical constraints of the existing building. Ceiling heights and restricted space posed challenges for the integration of ducts, but the installation of decentralized fan coil units made it possible to optimize air distribution without encroaching on functional spaces. Heat rejection is managed through precise thermal load balancing across the building’s different zones.
Mastering complexity through effective coordination
In addition to a tight project schedule, the project faced significant technical and aesthetic challenges. These were overcome through close collaboration within a large, multidisciplinary team that included architects; structural, electrical, mechanical and lighting engineers; commissioning specialists; acousticians; scenographers; furniture and kitchen designers; and telecommunications experts. The seamless integration of architectural, structural, and engineering elements was achieved through the collaborative use of BIM 360 by all parties involved in the project, ultimately supporting the project’s vision of a high-performance, culturally rich urban facility. To facilitate the structural integration of the electrical and mechanical elements, CIMA+ created a 3D model of the mechanical room. The model aided the optimization of equipment placement, reduced conflicts between disciplines and improved alignment with the building’s architecture.
Further complexity arose from design changes during construction, a slope in the existing floor slab and interior design modifications such as the introduction of a custom mezzanine and scenic walkway. Despite these hurdles, the project was successfully delivered through precise coordination and adaptive problem-solving, underscoring the value of collaboration in complex urban developments.
Pushing boundaries with smart design and seamless integration
The Sanaaq Cultural and Community Centre project introduced several notable structural innovations:
- Cantilevers of 4.5 m and 12.5 m that required advanced engineering to ensure their stability and integrity
- A 7,800 m² structural slab designed to support the heavy loads of the building while distributing stresses evenly
- A mezzanine with a polished 100 mm thick Hambro-type concrete slab designed to reduce deflection and vibration
Responding to the challenges of an underserved community
The Sanaaq Centre directly addresses the needs of Montréal’s Indigenous community by providing an inclusive gathering place for cultural and social activities rooted in First Nations, Métis and Inuit traditions while engaging the broader local community. Its library will feature the largest collection of books authored by Indigenous writers in North America.
Construction of the Centre was completed in December 2024 at a final cost of nearly $52 million.