The V.A. | Vinyl Archive | Recreational Project
The V.A. | Vinyl Archive | Recreational Project
Embedded Files
The V.A it’s a repository of sound and memory, a place where the past meets the present and the future.
The name The Vinyl Archive pays homage to the golden era of music, when timeless albums were first pressed on vinyl. These records didn’t just play music, they captured cultural moments and inspired generations.
By choosing the name The Vinyl Archive, we honor that legacy while creating a space that combines past and present. It’s more than nostalgia; it’s a living archive of sound, creativity, and connection where music history continues to be made.
The Vinyl Archive is a destination for seekers of culture and connection. It appeals to curious newcomers and dedicated music lovers. By blurring the lines between shop, lounge, performance spaces, resto bar, and creative hub, the V.A is a cultural and music location where every visit feels like an unforgettable experience.
Location
We chose this building because of its proximity to many artistic venues/spaces. The Cinéma du Musée, the Art Gallery Cosner Ritz-Carlton, and the Galerie de Bellefeuille are among some of the Artistic spaces surrounding this building.
Its proximity to the vibrant Old Port, rich with culture, activity, and community, makes it an ideal setting for a music and arts–focused space in Montreal.
Map
Concept Images
Music: not Impossible
Music: Not Impossible is a Vibrotextile™ wearable technology that translates sound onto the skin through vibration.
Our Incorporation: We will bring Muisc: Not Impossible into our project because we feel that a Recreation space should include the whole population and just half. The V.A. will provide battery-powered wireless wearable rentals. It supplies 8 distinct areas of vibration across the user’s body, or what they call a ‘Surround Body Experience.’
Stored at coat check
Rented online or in person
Building Section
Ground Floor
Ground Floor RCP
Entrances
Entrance - Rue de la Montagne
The entrance from Rue de la Montagne welcomes visitors with a vinyl record–inspired feature that serves both as an event display and a wayfinding element, guiding users to the various public spaces throughout the building.
Bold red accents establish the project's Prohibition-era identity, while a palette of soft wood tones creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Slatted wood wall treatments help absorb sound, and felt-wrapped ceiling beams enhance acoustic performance within the double-height space. These interventions are particularly important given the exposed concrete flooring, ensuring the entrance remains both visually striking and acoustically comfortable.
The vinyl record shop entrance on Sherbrooke Street features warm wood tones, bold red accents, and metal detailing that evoke a retro-inspired aesthetic. An open-grid ceiling enhances the sense of openness while creating a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
To address the acoustic demands of a space that combines a record store and café, slatted wood wall panels and the open-grid metal ceiling help absorb and diffuse sound, reducing noise transmission throughout the space and improving overall acoustic comfort.
Vinyl Record Shop - Sherbrook Street Entrance
Vinyl Record Shop
New Releases Section - Vinyl Record Shop
Listening Rooms
Listening Room Entrance - Vinyl Record Shop
Listening Rooms - Vinyl Record Shop
Accessible through the vinyl record shop, each listening room is inspired by a different music genre and defined by a bold monochromatic palette of blue, green, or red. Designed with acoustic performance in mind, the rooms incorporate soft finishes on the walls and ceilings, along with textured surfaces and dimensional wood paneling to absorb and diffuse sound. Circular cutouts and varied wall depths further help reduce sound reflection, creating an immersive and acoustically comfortable listening experience.
Vinyl Record Cafe
Cafe Counter - Vinyl Record Cafe
The vinyl record café features a cohesive material palette that reinforces the project's retro-inspired identity. Circular forms integrated into the counter, doors, and wall details subtly reference the shape of vinyl records, creating a consistent visual language throughout the space. Warm wood finishes, stainless steel countertops, and textured glass block elements further evoke the nostalgic character of vintage record stores while introducing a contemporary touch. Together, these materials create a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates music culture and the timeless appeal of vinyl.
Performance Pit
Performance Pit Entrance
Performance Pit
With a focus on bold red tones, the design begins at the entrance counter, featuring a striking red-and-white marble surface, and continues into the Performance Pit, where the warm palette is fully realized. Inspired by traditional conversation pits, the space is designed to encourage social interaction and community gathering. Ambient lighting enhances the intimate atmosphere, creating an inviting setting for live performances, listening sessions, and private events. Visitors can enjoy scheduled shows or rent the space for their own performances and gatherings
Basement Floor
Basement Floor RCP
Speakeasy Bar
Speakeasy Bar Counter
Speakeasy Central Seating
The basement level houses a speakeasy and Prohibition-era inspired resto-bar, extending the project's bold red palette while introducing leopard-print accents for a more luxurious and dramatic atmosphere. Chrome, mirrored surfaces, metal details, and glass elements reflect soft ambient lighting throughout the space, enhancing its rich and intimate character.
Designed to evoke the feeling of a hidden gem, the resto-bar captures the mystery and exclusivity associated with historic speakeasies. The space is intended for upscale dining and special occasions, encouraging a more refined experience through its sophisticated ambiance and elevated dress code. Visitors are immersed in an environment that recalls the glamour of the Prohibition era while offering a contemporary interpretation of luxury and nightlife.
Speakeasy Bar Group Banquette
Speakeasy Group Seating With Custom Furniture
Custom Furniture and Menu
Custom furniture was designed specifically for the speakeasy, incorporating the V.A. logo into the upholstery and drawing inspiration from the circular forms of vinyl records. The menu design further reinforces the concept, featuring a leather cover embossed with the V.A. logo for a refined and luxurious touch. Inside, the group seating area is defined by rich red tones and enhanced by backlit curtain walls that add softness, depth, and ambiance to the space. Inspired by the Prohibition era, the menu offers a curated selection of signature cocktails that complement the immersive character of the bar. Together, these custom elements create a cohesive and elevated experience that reflects the sophistication and exclusivity of the venue.
Cinema
Private Cinema
Beyond the speakeasy bar lies a private cinema space designed to evoke the charm of a vintage movie theatre. Rich green tones and warm wood finishes create a nostalgic atmosphere, while wall drapery adds softness and enhances the acoustic comfort of the room. Decorative wood crown mouldings further reinforce the classic cinema aesthetic, adding character and elegance to the space. Accessible seating has been integrated to ensure an inclusive experience for all visitors. Available for private bookings, the cinema can accommodate group screenings, special events, and exclusive gatherings.
Outdoor Space
Outdoor Space - Daisy Peterson Sweeney Park
The Daisy Peterson Sweeney Park is inspired by the Montreal music educator who shaped generations of jazz artists, with her legacy honoured through a mural on the building façade. The rear of the site, previously a dark alleyway, is transformed into a meaningful outdoor space where people can play music, pass through, and begin the vinyl record experience from the exterior.
3rd Place | Recreational Design Competition | Award for Excellence
Designed by | Maryssa Baril and Dominic Martinez Sewer
Designed by | Maryssa Baril and Dominic Martinez Sewer
Dawson College | 2025
Dawson College | 2025
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