ACDF Architecture's red-and-white brick apartment in Quebec creates optical depth

ACDF Architecture, based in Montreal, has finalized Mellem Manoir-des-Trembles, a rental apartment complex featuring nearly 200 units in Gatineau, Quebec, located just north of Ottawa. In partnership with developer Maître Carré, the firm aimed to harmonize density, economic feasibility, and ecological impact. The building showcases a two-tone brick exterior—red on the outer facade and white on the recessed sections—creating a striking play of shadows and depth. Architectural elements such as rounded corners and an arch motif, including flattened arches at the ground level and an inverted arch surrounding the courtyard, modernize traditional colonnades. The design comprises seven residential floors with offset cantilevered balconies, while a C-shaped layout encircles a courtyard. Units vary from studios to five-bedroom apartments, with a partially underground parking area for 375 bicycles and 20 electric vehicles. Ground-floor shared amenities foster community connections, and a white helical staircase provides access to a communal lounge and courtyard. ACDF associate architect Christelle Montreuil-Jean-Pois characterized the design as "quiet elegance," attracting attention without overwhelming. Adrien Williams captured the project's photographs.