How new building technologies bring to life a local narrative: EDISON Student Residence, a Case Study

Edison Student Residence is located in the epicentre of Montreal student life, adjacent to McGill University. The site endured a fire, which flattened the existing 19th century historic stone house, representing one of many narrative layers embedded in the land.
The site’s historical context became the primary inspiration for the urban renewal project, which lead to the exploration of an innovative concrete fabrication technique: photoengraved concrete panels that enabled the building to bring to life a 1901 Thomas Edison motion picture. The project encapsulates an architecture that heightens intellectual and perceptual experiences of passers, by stimulating connections with our heritage.