Maison 1 McGill
Montreal, Canada

Covered Area: 35,500 m2 .
Cost: $38,000,000.
Saving: $500,000 (1.5%) compared to concrete shearwall construction.

This magnificent eleven-storey concrete frame condominium building, facing the Saint Lawrence River, was built in 1995. The structure, clad with architectural precast concrete, was the winner of 1996 PCI Award.

Pall Friction Dampers in steel bracing, in lieu of concrete shearwalls, were used for the seismic resistance. In contrast to shearwalls, the friction-damped bracing need not be vertically continuous. This aspect was very appealing to the architects as it offered flexibility in space planning. The chosen structural system offered both savings in construction cost and superior earthquake resistance.

Several Friction Dampers are exposed to view as they add to the aesthetics of the structure.