Designed in consortium with Équipe A, the Carrefour du savoir at the Université de Sherbrooke’s Faculty of Medicine reimagines what a contemporary academic space can be. More than just a library, it offers a variety of environments that support learning, focus, collaboration, and wellbeing.

Located at the intersection of the campus’s teaching and healthcare facilities, the building serves as both a symbolic gateway and a central gathering place for the academic community. The design puts users first, with biophilic strategies that promote comfort and calm—generous natural light, warm wood finishes, and visual connections to the surrounding forested landscape. Suspended above a parking area, the structure opens onto a courtyard that encourages both quiet study and informal outdoor use.

The layout spans two accessible levels and offers a rich diversity of spaces: modular classrooms, study alcoves, open work areas, and quiet zones. Every space is thoughtfully designed to accommodate different learning rhythms and personal preferences.

Sustainability is embedded in every aspect of the project. Through energy-efficient systems and durable, low-impact materials, the building achieves carbon neutrality while aligning with the university’s broader environmental goals.

A calm, inspiring, and highly functional environment, the Carrefour du savoir has quickly become a meaningful destination. One that reflects a human-centered approach to architecture and a renewed vision for academic life.

Design: Lemay and Équipe A
Contractor: Construction Longer Inc.
Mechanical and Electrical: CIMA+
Structural: Côté Jean et Associés
Photography: Adrien Williams