The UTILE Outremont Student Residence project is part of UTILE’s mission, a non-profit organization working to create affordable off-market student housing throughout Quebec. Located on rue Hutchison, in close proximity to the University of Montreal's MIL campus, the project directly addresses the acute shortage of affordable student housing in Montreal, while contributing to the structural evolution of a sector undergoing rapid urban transformation.

Located in the former Atlantic industrial sector, now undergoing change, the building offers 186 new units totaling 260 rooms, exclusively for students. The diversity of unit types, from studios to three-bedroom family units, some of which are adaptable, encourages a mix of profiles and supports different forms of student cohabitation. On the ground floor, a local commercial space contributes to the liveliness of Thérèse-Lavoie-Roux Avenue and the dynamism of the neighborhood.

The architecture of the student residence is based on a deliberate dialogue between heritage and modernity. The former industrial warehouse, identified as a TAS (Témoin architectural significatif in french), has been preserved, restored, and integrated into the new building. The project plans to redevelop the ground floor of the TAS into a shared space conducive to studying, meetings, and relaxation. The architectural expression of the 11-story building is inspired by the site's railway past through the assembly units, designed as modules evoking stacked containers. This motif emphasizes the creation of a community and the cohabitation between the different unit types and their residents. The mass of the building is fragmented by modulating volumes, recesses, and finely articulated facades, ensuring harmonious integration into the neighborhood.

Particular attention has been given to transitional spaces and communal living areas. The courtyard, which opens onto the alleyway, has been designed as a central meeting place, incorporating a rain garden and landscaping inspired by old railway tracks. The outdoor facilities promote visual permeability, conviviality, and interfaces between public spaces and student living areas.

In terms of the environment, the project aims for exemplary performance, with energy efficiency 25% higher than the reference building. Rainwater management is provided on site by a rain garden and bioretention basins, contributing to the reduction of heat islands and the enhancement of urban biodiversity. More than 20% of the site is vegetated, including a green roof and five planted trees. The project promotes active modes of transportation, with no car parking, and includes 200 bicycle parking spaces.

Designed as a comprehensive, accessible, and inclusive living environment, the UTILE Outremont project demonstrates how controlled densification, combined with expressive and responsible architecture, can make an impactful contribution to the housing crisis while enriching the existing urban fabric.