"Pictured, it is distinctly unattractive"

In the heart of Villeray, Montreal, a prefabricated building attached to the Marie-Favery school has stood since 2018. This structure, initially planned for removal after the pandemic, remains due to a significant influx of students in 2022. The Centre de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) is re-evaluating its stance, a decision that sparks debate among education and architecture professionals.

Claudine Déom, an associate professor at the École d'architecture of the Université de Montréal, has expressed reservations about the possible permanent installation of temporary structures like the prefabricated building at the Marie-Favery school. She described the building as "quite ordinary" and "quite ugly," expressing concerns about the visual impact and cohabitation in the neighbourhood.

However, Stéphane Chaput, the Deputy Director General for Material Resources at the CSSDM, advocates for the ability to rehabilitate temporary structures. He cites the renovation and expansion of the La Visitation primary school as an example of adding new to old. Chaput's stance is rooted in the need to work with existing buildings, as there are 102 buildings on CSSDM territory that have heritage value and are listed in the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

The situation regarding the removal of the prefabricated building is linked to immigration, according to the CSSDM. The massive arrival of students in 2022 necessitated a re-evaluation of the initial plan to remove the structure. The prefabricated building at the Marie-Favery school allows the school to fulfill its primary mission, ensuring the education of its students.

The CSSDM's 2024-2027 Triennial Plan for the Distribution and Destination of Buildings does not provide a definitive removal date for the prefabricated building. The Ministry of Education has not commented on the possibility of temporary modular installations becoming permanent.

Claudine Déom suggests applying principles discovered by Lab-Écoles to existing buildings. Lab-Écoles is a research lab at the Université de Montréal that focuses on the transformation of schools into sustainable, innovative learning environments. If temporary classes become permanent, Déom warns it may indicate a collective lack of appreciation for the quality of the built environment.

Déom's research on the conservation of the architecture of CSSDM schools underscores her commitment to preserving and enhancing the educational infrastructure in Quebec. Her perspective, along with that of Stéphane Chaput, highlights the complexities and considerations involved in managing real estate assets for educational institutions.