FACE School

Time and incomplete restorations have altered the 1914 Maxwell Brothers-designed building, known for its ornate facades and simple neo-classical plan. EVOQ was tasked with providing architectural services to upgrade the auditorium and lead a multi-year exterior restoration. The award-winning interventions in the auditorium balanced modern theatrical needs with conservation objectives, including the enlargement of the stage, acoustical improvements, the installation of sprinkler systems, restoration of original plasterwork and painting, and the reinstatement of the original seating plan.

The exterior restoration addressed inherent construction flaws and decades of deferred maintenance. Missing terracotta pieces were recast, and repairs, along with general cleaning, restored the masonry's original lustre. The windows were chosen to replicate the original appearance while being operable and maintainable, approved by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The restoration of the F.A.C.E. Building demonstrates its ability to provide modern learning facilities for future generations within a historic setting that fosters pride in its heritage.

“EVOQ continues to impress the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP). The masonry restoration project of the south-west façade of FACE School, done in collaboration with the architect and project manager of the Montreal School Board John May, is rewarded with the Award of Excellence for the Preservation of a Heritage Building or Complex.”

F.A.C.E. School Website