The starting point: a quilt... and maple candies!
It all began with Club Med's request to show what Quebec meant to LemayMichaud. On the worktable, hundreds of images symbolizing the province, its traditions, culture, and folklore overlapped. The vast table then transformed into a vibrant quilt with different themes and collections. The concept began to take shape with the central theme of celebrating a four-season Quebec. The imposing mural was rolled up and then shipped to the client, and to seal the seductive operation, it was topped off… with maple candy! Club Med Quebec Charlevoix was born.
A large-scale project: 15 in 1
Perched atop the Massif de Charlevoix overlooking the river in the heart of an exceptional site, one thing quickly became clear to the team members: the view had to steal the show. Inside, the same directive applied: it had to be a visual feast! In addition to the construction of a 302-room hotel, the site includes five restaurants, a pool, a spa, a convention center, a daycare, and 75 residences for employees. Each of these spaces has its own identity, promising a memorable experience.
This extensive project mobilized a team of 20 highly skilled and complementary professionals, united by a single mission: to maximize the view, reinvent Quebec’s design codes, create a "wow" effect, and offer visitors an escape!
"The mandate given to LemayMichaud was clear: put Quebec front and center and introduce an international clientele to the beauty of the river and Charlevoix! We are filled with great pride that a Quebec-based firm was chosen to design this large vacation village. This complex is a testament to our ability to deliver signature projects that align perfectly with our clients' brand image, needs, and experiential universe. After nine years of collaborative work, we are delivering an exceptional project to a client who is just as exceptional!" comments Alexi Lemay, architect and principal partner at LemayMichaud.
Whether it's the integration of the typical six-pane window, the use of materials and their assemblies, such as Canadian steel, wood, and stone, or even the nod to the traditional "ceinture fléchée" (arrowed sash); nothing was left to chance.
"Inside, everything has been designed to evoke the warmth and festive spirit of the Québécois. Every element of each space was specially conceived and selected for this village by the LemayMichaud team, from the large wallpapers to the custom carpets, whose patterns reflect our history and capture the essence of the place. Through elements like the suspended canoes, the flight of the geese, or the animal totems, Club Med Charlevoix tells parts of our story, draws inspiration from our ancestors, and also recalls our agricultural past. It’s a Quebec-flavored Club Med that we envisioned and delivered," lists Katrine Beaudry, project designer and principal partner at LemayMichaud.
The project in a few figures:
– 440 pages of plans drawn by the firm.
– Over 30 carpet patterns designed by our graphic designers, with enough material to cover almost six times the size of the Centre Vidéotron rink!
– 40 wallpaper designs created from scratch by our teams.
– With almost 37,900 square feet of windows, we made sure the view took center stage.
About LemayMichaud
Founded in 1979, LemayMichaud Architecture Design is a key player in the architectural, interior design, and graphic design scene in Quebec. Its team of qualified professionals has worked on numerous projects across Canada, enabling many partners and clients to "build their dreams." Loyal clients such as La Maison Simons, Le Groupe Germain, Strøm Spa Nordique, and Deloitte have contributed to the company's solid reputation, both nationally and internationally, through award-winning achievements. The firm currently has offices in Quebec City, Montreal, and Ottawa.
