A Q& A WITH ARCHITECT/ DESIGNER JOANNE GODIN
Joanne Godin, architect, associate and director of design at Lemay, was born in Montreal and has always loved the city. Her exposure to culture began early. As a child, she spent every weekend visiting museums and browsing through bookstores with her parents. She adored drawing, studied piano, ballet and contemporary dance from age six, and her creative vision broadened in adolescence.
Godin knew her career would be devoted to art. She flirted with diverse disciplines but had difficulty picking just one on which to focus. A turning point occurred in college, when she learned that it was not necessary to choose.
We spoke at the Lemay office at the base of Peel St.
Q: What led you to studies in architecture?
A: My college years were transforming. I think of them as having been a kind of incubator, for me. I changed programs twice and found my rightful place in visual arts at the CEGEP du Vieux Montréal. One of my favourite courses was object design. We learned what went into designing a chair, a table, anything. I loved it so much.
My professor was an architect, painter and photographer named Miljenko Horvat. He became a mentor and helped me to understand that my multidisciplinary nature would lend itself well to the field of architecture. He said it required the same aptitudes I was applying to my flamenco dance studies — structure, passion and beauty.
Where did you attend university?
After CEGEP, I headed to the University of Montreal for an architecture degree. One of my teachers there, Melvin Charney, became another mentor and greatly influ-
enced my life and work. He taught me how to read a city, looking closely at how it evolved. For example, because of Montreal’s location on the river, it became a centre for many industries.
Factories attracted workers so it became necessary to create affordable housing for them. This is why you see so many triplexes around le Plateau and other older sections of town.
Montreal’s i dentity i s al s o strongly linked to the mountain — le Mont- Royal. Today, it is considered to be a city of positive contradiction — a mix of history and modernity in its culture and architecture.
How did you get your first job?
CHA ( Cardinal Hardy Architects) hired me right out of university. I
stayed with them, as conceptual designer, for nearly two decades. During these years I got to work with a variety of clients on every scale of project, from urban and building design to housing architecture and interior design. In 2010, the company was sold and became IBI- CHA. About a year ago, it was bought by Lemay — a visionary firm.
I am pleased to be their director of design as well as an associate.
Can you tell me about the Laval development called LL sur le Lac?
This is a luxury condo project being realized with the Lemay team and developers — Groupe Quorum and Groupe Marsan. The first time I visited the site, in Laval sur le Lac, between the gulf and the river, I ex-
perienced un coup de foudre ( love at first sight). The natural environment is so beautiful — perfect, really, like a poem.
Working on its design, my priority was for the structures not to interfere with nature. I created “silent architecture” which is intended to be in harmony with the surroundings. It’s like the buildings are actors in a play, which is the landscape.
What puts the spring in your step each day?
Every morning, music and dance give me a boost of energy before doing anything else.
Recently, I returned to studying contemporary dance, which was one of the first styles I learned, as a girl.
When it comes to my work, I am most invigorated when facing a new project. I envision the steps that will need to be taken, from beginning to end, as a storyboard. This process helps me very much with all kinds of problem- solving.
What are your other passions?
Since 2005, I have been supervising the final projects of master’s students in architecture at the University of Montreal.
This experience has changed me personally as well as professionally. It has made me better at directing teams of creators. I love working with my students so much. I have put a lot of myself into this, but have come away with much more than I have given.
My greatest passion, though, is for my daughter, Gabrielle, who is 19. She is the child of two architects and has grown up surrounded by beauty.
I believe that, without being aware of it, she has developed a critical eye.
She went to school in Italy for a year and is now back, pursuing visual arts studies. Her goal is to work in the field of cinema.
Working on ( LL sur le Lac’s) design, my priority was for the structures not to interfere with nature. I created ‘ silent architecture’ which is intended to be in harmony with the surroundings.