REAL ESTATE PROFILE

A Q&A with VAnessA PArent

Vanessa Parent, landscape architect and owner of Kub Paysage, was born in Strasbourg, France, in the exquisite Alsace/Lorraine region. Growing up with a father who is an architect and a mother who worked with national heritage sites, family vacations often included visits to churches, cathedrals and museums. After high school (Lycée Kleber), Parent headed to the national school of architecture in Lyon for two years. She was then admitted to the coveted ENSAD (École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs) in Paris, for a four-year interior design program, graduating in 1999.

We met at the Lemay (Architects) office on St-Jacques Street.

How did you end up in Montreal?

When I was 10, I developed a love for hockey. In the 1980s, few people knew about women’s hockey in France. I travelled by bus, with my equipment, and people would ask if I was going skiing. I had the opportunity to visit Canada as a teenager, loved it, and knew I would live here someday. Hockey has been an important guiding factor in my life — seeking teams took me to Lyon, Paris and, ultimately, Montreal. Playing taught me about teamwork, which is a huge part of what I do.

Can you explain?

To be successful on a hockey team, players must work closely together, respect and rely on each other. This mutual admiration and co-operation is just as important when creating a building. I assign equal value to each person’s contribution — from the lead architect to a construction worker.

Playing hockey has facilitated getting along well with others and understanding what they bring to a project. What was your first job here? When I arrived in 2000, I had a student visa and got into the oneyear landscape design program at l’Université de Montréal. A few months after graduating I received my resident status, which allowed me to work. I played hockey, of course, and it happened that my team manager owned a garden centre (Le Centre du Jardin Deux-Montagnes) in St-Eustache. He offered me a job. I stayed five years, learned all about plants, and completed a great many residential landscape design jobs for customers.

What happened next?

In 2006, Cardinal Hardy Architects was seeking a landscape architect. They hired me. One of their clients was real estate developer Prével, which specializes in condo development. I began designing their outdoor common areas: pools, courtyards and green roofs.

The first one I worked on was Imperial Tobacco — a factory converted into condos, with rooftop terraces. This required me to use my training in interior and landscape design as well as what I had learned during my years at the garden centre.

When did you launch Kub Paysage?

In 2016, it was time to set out on my own. The word Kub (pronounced like “cube”) refers to the cubic shape, which is often “a part of something bigger.” This feels right for me because landscape architecture is one of many things I enjoy. The name is also a nod to my father, whose architecture firm in France is called Archicub.

What are your current projects?

I am working on a few for Prével, with Lemay Architects, including the final phase of Bassins du Havre condos on the Lachine Canal, a 16-floor structure surrounded by water. I am also working on the last phases of Le 21e Arrondissement, near Old Montreal — condos and rental units, commercial space, and a public square. I designed its rooftop urban agriculture operation, which begins production next spring.

Another is their Lowney series. We are now concluding Lowney sur Ville and have created a stunning urban chalet, on two floors, with huge windows.

An urban chalet is a common area, with sofas and amenities such as a billiard table and kitchen. Situated on the 20th floor, it provides a view of the whole Lowney project.

Tell me about Union sur le Parc. For this Prével project, I was approached by architects Gil Hardy and Charles-Laurence Proulx (NOS Architectes).

UP, as we call it, at RenéLévesque Boulevard West and Fort Street, will consist of two 20-storey structures (388 condos) and 30,000 square feet of green space. The project also features a threestorey building with an urban chalet and a rooftop garden, where residents can grow their own herbs and vegetables.

And when you are not working ? I live on the South Shore with my girlfriend and her 7-year-old son. I still enjoy sports very much, especially mountain biking. One of my other passions is baking. I recently created a model of the Empire State Building, out of cake, for a colleague.

What puts the spring in your step?

I am energized by the beauty and goodness in the world; negativity rolls away from me like water off a duck’s back. This applies to my romantic life, friendships, and work.

IMAGES COURTESY OF PRÉVEL The Lowney sur Ville Phase 4 urban chalet is a common area that spans two floors and, thanks to its large windows, provides a view of the entire Lowney condo project. At right, a photo taken from the Lowney 9 rooftop terrace shows the Lowney sur Ville urban chalet.

ARTIST’S RENDERING COURTESY OF PRÉVEL Union sur le Parc’s third-floor urban chalet, an atelier créatif common space, is next to the rooftop garden where residents will be able to grow their own herbs and vegetables.

PATRICK DESROCHERS PHOTO, COURTESY OF PRÉVEL The water basin between Bassins du Havre’s Pier 1 and Pier 2 condos.

ROCH COULOMBE PHOTO, COURTESY OF PRÉVEL The rooftop terrace of Phase 1 of Le 21e Arrondissement condo development near Old Montreal.

COURTESY OF PRÉVEL An artist’s rendering of Pier 4, the final phase of the Bassins du Havre condo project.

PLIED SUP- Vanessa Parent, landscape architect and owner of Kub Paysage.