Lanexco

At the heart of UQAT’s Val-d’Or campus, this project unfolds around a natural agora designed as a space for meeting, sharing, and recognizing Indigenous communities. The primary intent was to create a protective setting without enclosing the space, while giving it a strong visual identity imbued with meaning. With that in mind, a perforated aluminum screen was envisioned, discreet in its formal simplicity yet powerful in its symbolic presence.

The custom-made aluminum panels form a subtle envelope that surrounds the agora. Rather than acting as an opaque barrier, they gently define the space, allowing light, air, and sightlines to pass through. The screen serves as an effective windbreak during outdoor gatherings while preserving a sense of openness to the surrounding natural landscape. Users thus benefit from a feeling of protection and intimacy without losing their direct connection to nature.

The color chosen for these panels plays a central role in the concept. More than a simple aesthetic choice, it is intended as a tribute to Indigenous communities and their history. This warm hue immediately draws the eye and infuses the site with a particular energy. It contrasts with the more neutral tones of the landscape and buildings, while aligning with a broader approach of acknowledgment and respect.

One of the project’s most striking features lies in the perforation pattern of the panels. The carefully distributed openings create a play of transparency and movement. Throughout the day, light passes through these perforations and casts shifting patterns on the ground and surrounding surfaces, like a mesh that evolves with sunlight and weather conditions. This effect gives the installation an almost living quality, making each visit to the site a slightly different experience.

From a technical standpoint, the use of high-quality aluminum combined with durable industrial paint ensures outstanding resistance to the region’s changing climate. The finish was designed to preserve the intensity of the orange over time, despite exposure to sun, wind, and precipitation. Each panel was fabricated with great precision, then installed with care to integrate seamlessly with the site’s topography and the landscape design developed by Trame architecture + paysage.

This project illustrates Réflecteur’s ability to contribute to interventions where signage and architectural structures become carriers of meaning. Here, the perforated screen goes far beyond a purely practical function: it helps create a place conducive to reconciliation, learning, and dialogue. By providing UQAT with a distinctive space rich in symbolism, this project reinforces the idea that a well-designed environment can be useful, beautiful, and deeply meaningful all at once.