Twenty + Change: Alexandre Bernier

A third-generation Montrealer, Alexandre Bernier cites the city and its architecture as his most prominent influences. Guided by a sense of care and stewardship for the place he calls home, Bernier’s portfolio is anchored by residential projects that blend modern aesthetics with Montreal’s architectural heritage—and are seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric.

Bernier studied environmental design at the Université de Québec à Montréal, whose program spans from the industrial design of objects to the planning of cities. After learning about Atelier Pierre Thibault’s Abbaye Val Notre Dame, Bernier recalls deciding he “wanted to do that—wanted to do architecture.” After interning at Thibault’s studio in Quebec City, he went on to study architecture at the Université de Montréal. He also worked with architect Alain Carle before founding his eponymous practice in 2015. Thibault and Carle are part of a generation of Quebec architects who, says, Bernier, shaped a culture of architecture in Montreal.

Bernier is deeply invested in what he refers to as “the continuity of the city.” His design approach seeks to capitalize on what’s already working— the architectural elements that have allowed the city and its buildings to thrive for hundreds of years. Bernier explains that he is “always thinking about why buildings have evolved in the ways that they have, and how we can continue this evolution.” Instead of dreaming of a blank slate from which to imagine designs freely, Bernier seeks to preserve the DNA of the city, guiding its evolution to meet the needs of modern life and ensure that it will survive for the next hundred years.

This position is fundamentally geared towards environmental sustainability. Taking a holistic approach, Bernier aims to create spaces that transcend the “trend” cycle and stand the test of time, and that have the flexibility to be easily transitioned as needs change.

While the aesthetic and functional qualities of the spaces that Bernier designs are meant to be timeless, he takes a decidedly different approach to material selection. The architect tends to choose simple, natural materials, accepting—and designing with—the changes to materials that happen over time. The resulting patina tells the story of a building, rooting it in both time and place.

Bernier’s designs are materializations of a commitment to caring for the city and its inhabitants. He insists that this care is not only manifest in the physicality of architecture, but pervades every aspect of his work: “It’s also how you listen to people, how you work with people, and how you set up your practice.”

This profile is part of our October 2024 feature story, Twenty + Change: New Perspectives. 

As appeared in the October 2024 issue of Canadian Architect magazine

The post Twenty + Change: Alexandre Bernier appeared first on Canadian Architect.