Sainte-Marie Coop

A significant outward bulge had developed at both corners of the building’s masonry façade. Left unaddressed, this type of bulging can compromise the façade’s anchorage system, leading to major structural weaknesses and water infiltration. To eliminate any risk of collapse, we opened the affected sections of the wall. Each stone was carefully inspected, then either repaired or replaced depending on its condition. The work restored the wall to its original alignment, eliminated the bulge, and ensured the long-term integrity and durability of the masonry.

Once the masonry was opened, severely corroded concealed structural steel elements were uncovered. Based on their condition, each component was assessed individually. Salvageable steel members were treated to stop corrosion before being reinstalled, while those that had deteriorated beyond repair were replaced.

In keeping with heritage preservation standards, we reused as many original stones as possible. When replacement stones were required, our stonemasons cut and shaped them directly on-site using stone identical to the original. We also reproduced the original recessed joints to preserve the historic pointing technique and maintain the façade’s visual consistency. These recessed joints create distinctive shadow lines that restore the depth and architectural character of the cut stone.

The work had to be carried out while the co-owners continued to occupy the building. Because the façade posed an imminent safety risk, we worked under a controlled management approach in close collaboration with the condominium corporation and the project engineer. Construction also continued throughout the winter using a fully enclosed frame scaffold designed by Atwill-Morin, which allowed operations to continue seamlessly despite the winter weather.