Jean-Philippe Saucier

Biography

Jean-Philippe Saucier specialized in building sciences, passive design and energy simulation, more specifically in the field of thermal comfort and energy efficiency. He is also interested in the conceptual and artistic aspects of architecture. His practice, between science and art, is divided into three facets that influence and enhance each other: teaching, architectural practice and artistic practice.

Jean-Philippe was an Assistant Professor at the McEwen School of Architecture from 2017 to 2020 and has been a Master Lecturer and the Undergraduate Coordinator since 2020. He currently teaches Design for Climate Change and Structures 3: Building Systems, in addition to design studios. He was also a sessional at the École d’architecture de l’Université Laval (2013 to 2016), where he taught Construction III: Enveloppe et représentation and Services mécaniques et électriques. He has also given continuing education courses on energy efficiency and comfort for the Centre de formation en développement durable and the Ordre des architectes du Québec.

Prior to joining Laurentian University, Jean-Philippe worked for many years as a designer and member of the team of building science specialists at Coarchitecture, a firm recognized for its approach based on sustainable development. He has participated in the design of many large-scale projects as well as in the optimization of energy performance and comfort.

Jean-Philippe is also a co-founding member of the architectural creation collective PLUX.5, a platform for reflection and intervention that brings together five Quebec architects around playful installations that positively impact the landscape, while inviting spectators to interact, in the manner of an architectural space. PLUX.5 has produced several temporary and permanent works, which have been widely acclaimed and exhibited in the province of Quebec and around the world.

Work and Practice

My professional experience focuses on the design of high-performance buildings in northern climates, including building science as well as the conceptual, functional and constructive aspects of the envelope. During my years at Coarchitecture, in addition to acting as a designer on large-scale projects such as Ubisoft Québec or Place de Bourgogne, I was an integral part of the team of specialists (engineer, specialists in thermal comfort, passive design, natural and artificial lighting and LEED) in charge of Research & Development and contributing to innovation in energy efficiency, occupant comfort and carbon footprint. I had the opportunity to design several large-scale buildings focused on comfort and energy performance, such as the Cité Desjardins de la Coopération or the GlaxoSmithKlein building. I also participated in many important competitions for public buildings in Quebec.

At the same time, I also worked on smaller projects, often of a temporary nature, focused on the artistic process, as a co-founding member of the architectural creation collective PLUX.5. This secondary practice allowed me to create architectural installations and public artworks in Quebec and internationally, often winning competitions, and several of these works have been awarded and widely disseminated (see images below).

Thanks to a parallel artistic practice, I have been able to feed my creative process to innovate in my professional practice, which has led, for example, to the realization of buildings such as the Place Ste-Foy parking structures, recognizable by its unique expressive envelope made of ultra-high performance fiber reinforced concrete panels. These buildings have received several awards, in addition to being featured on the cover of Canadian Architect. For me, this synergy between two complementary but different practices has always been a source of inspiration and renewal.

Creative Activity

Publications

• See publication (PDF)

Awards