The newspaper La Presse, 3 storey after more than 125 years of paper publishing, has embarked on a digital shift. The vast space that once housed the large rotary press will now make way for the new journalists' newsroom. In collaboration with Architecture49, COHESIO Architecture was commissioned to renovate the entire building, rethink the rehabilitation of the

spaces and restore the facades to their former glory.

 

Extensive coordination with the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition Féminine du Québec (MCCCF) was required to ensure that the building preserves its ''modern'' heritage character while responding to its new,

contemporary use.

The new organization of spaces is inspired by the building's former interior division. On the basement level, the machinery used for printing the press is replaced by the editors' press room. Above this vast open space, new concrete floors float, staggered, to accommodate the offices of other employees. This street side volumetric play makes it easy for anyone to identify the contemporary interventions from the original interior form of the press area.