CREATING INSPIRING LIVING ENVIRONMENTS

BY NATHALIE VALLERAND, JOURNALIST

As a child, Anik Shooner like building houses with Lego blocks and designing towns and cities. A few decades later, she still has a passion for architecture. Over the years, she has contributed to several landmark projects such as the Centre for Sustainable Development, the new head office of the National Bank and the science complex of the University of Montréal's new MIL Campus, which received the 2023 Award of Excellence in Architecture from the Ordre des architectes du Québec.

Anik Shooner began her career as an architect in 1987. Because she wanted to see the country and because job prospects were poor in Québec at the time, she headed for Toronto. There she found work at WZMH Architects, the firm that designed the iconic CN Tower.

Her talent did not go unnoticed. After four years in the Queen City, her employer asked her to return to Montréal to oversee the design of the Canadian Space Agency's headquarters in Longueuil, a $60 million project. She was only 26. "I was young and inexperienced," she admits. "Then again, no one had experience in that type of project. It was the only one in the country!" Even today, the Space Agency remains the most significant achievement of her career. "It was the first project I was responsible for and the first one I did in Montréal. I knew the technical details by heart. I really gave everything I had to ensure it would be a success."

New Horizons

In 1994 Anik Shooner joined forces with the architects René Menkès and Yves Dagenais to launch their own firm. After Jean-Pierre LeTourneux came on board in 2004, the firm became Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux Architects, also known as MSDL. From an initial six employees, it now has more than 120 and is one of the biggest architectural firms in Québec. That is a great source of pride for its president and senior partner. "Having contributed to building a renowned architectural firm that provides a healthy work environment for so many people is my greatest achievement," she said.

Phase 2 of the new CHUM hospital complex, the rejuvenation of Place Ville Marie, the 1 Phillips Square Tower, the Grande Bibliothèque, the CHUM research centre, the restoration of the Louis H. La Fontaine psychiatric hospital… Since its inception, MSDL has worked on several large-scale projects that have transformed the Montréal landscape. To think that its co-founder hesitated about enrolling in the School of Architecture at the University of Montréal because the country was in the midst of a recession and jobs were scarce in the field!

The firm currently has a hundred projects underway. Among those where Anik Shooner is the project manager is the new head office of the National Bank. Erected at the corner of St. Jacques Street and Robert Bourassa Boulevard, the 40-storey building will be iconic, she said. "It's likely to make people want to come back to work in the office." The building, which is aiming for LEED Gold and WELL Silver certifications, will be adjacent to an urban park, and features a rooftop tree and shrub garden.

On another front, MSDL's senior partner is responsible for the expansion project at Pierre Le Gardeur Hospital in Terrebonne. She is also the firm's representative in the expansion of the Verdun Hospital and the future Vaudreuil Soulanges Hospital, three projects carried out in conjunction with other architectural firms.

"What I like about hospital projects is that they provide a community service. Building a hospital that is as functional as possible and that will help heal people is inspiring," said the woman who also participated in the modernization of St. Justine Hospital.

Focus On Diversification

MSDL's playground is vast. "Oftentimes, architects specialize. They only do public contracts or only private. Whereas from the beginning, we chose to do both because we wanted to minimize the impact of economic downturns," she noted.

But that decision was not just about survival. It was also motivated by a desire to do a variety of projects. "To me, an architect is a generalist. Yes, it takes more effort, for there are no set recipes or standardized procedures. But it's so exciting!"

Not to mention that working on condo towers as well as office buildings, schools, hospitals and resort projects such as L'Hymne des Trembles in Tremblant, encourages the transfer of knowledge and ideas between the different types of projects.

MSDL is a pioneer in sustainable development. It was the first firm to receive LEED Gold certification for a university in Canada (Pavillons Lassonde –Polytechnique Montréal in 2005), and the first firm in Québec to receive Platinum certification (Centre for Sustainable Development in 2013).

A Legacy For Cities And Citizens

After 36 years of practice, Anik Shooner is as passionate about architecture as she was on day one. What drives her? "I love creating healthy and inspiring environments for people. Also, buildings are legacies for a city and its citizens, and will be for many generations."

The experienced architect also enjoys the creative process. "We start with a blank page. We look for solutions, ideas, we brainstorm. We work as a team with clients, contractors and engineers. Then one day you walk into the building without a hard hat or construction boots and see the people smiling and happy to be there. Every time I walk in I think, This is why I'm an architect," says the woman who was named a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Canada in 2000 at age 36.

What are her sources of inspiration? "The history of a site is always something to consider. For example, there was once an ice warehouse on the site of the ÉTS Student House, so we designed a building whose glass and angles evoke its transparency, the ice breakups each spring. Neighbouring buildings are also a source of inspiration, as every project must harmonize with its surroundings."

She finds travel a great stimulus for ideas. "I have travelled a lot, always observing architecture, living environments and nature. In a big city, I first visit the Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum itself is usually the work of renowned architects. And contemporary art feeds my imagination."

"I want to continue our tradition of excellence, to continue to set the bar high as we have always done. Quality architecture is aesthetically pleasing, technically efficient, environmentally friendly and promotes the well-being of building occupants. I also believe it contributes to making people happy."

– Anik Shooner

Ensuring Continuity

In 2020 the co-founder of MSDL was awarded the Ordre du mérite de l'Université de Montréal, and in 2022 was named a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec. These distinctions highlight her remarkable career, but also her commitment to her profession and to the community: six years as vicepresident of the Québec Association of Architects in Private Practice, member of the architectural competition jury, ambassador of the planned giving campaign for the University of Montréal's School of Architecture, president of the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, etc.

At age 58, Anik Shooner is the youngest of the three co-founders of MSDL (René Menkès died in 2019). "Ensuring the firm's continuity is a priority for us. It is not for sale and we want it to remain in Québec. That's why we invest a lot in building the next generation." In fact, six architects have become partners since 2016, four of them women. "It's important for me to put women forward and ensure that we are equal in number to men in the office."

What is her vision for the future of the firm? "I want to continue our tradition of excellence, to continue to set the bar high as we have always done. Quality architecture is aesthetically pleasing, technically efficient, environmentally friendly and promotes the well-being of building occupants. I also believe it contributes to making people happy."

These data were compiled by Diana Pricop, Data Solutions team leader at the Altus Group in Montréal. Diana Pricop ensures the quality and accuracy of the InSite and RealNet platforms at Altus Data Studio. She began her career in commercial real estate shortly after graduating from Concordia University. To broaden her knowledge of the industry, Diana worked as a financial analyst at Avison Young, where she developed her expertise in real estate research and investment.