The White Tunic of OIIQ by Ceragres

The architectural firm Lemay aimed for a design that is completely suited to the OIIQ’s activities, values and contribution to the health sector. This project, with its innovative building materials, follows the principles of sustainable development.

An Innovative Ceramic Building Envelope
The new offices of the organization are wearing, just like its nurses, an immaculate white tunic. The exterior is covered with ceramic ventilated cladding, a German product distributed in Canada by Ceragres.

Named "light and air cladding," it owes its astonishing properties to a permanent catalyst, integrated to the ceramic’s enamel that is activated when exposed to light, oxygen and humidity. The result: a hydrophilic surface that uses rain water to eliminate dirt and microorganisms that accumulate on the cladding. This technology, called HT (hydrophilic tile), allows the OIIQ building cladding to effortlessly preserve its initial brightness. It then leads to significantly lower maintenance costs, a benefit that has a huge influence during the selection process.

One More Step Towards Sustainable Development
The architects chose ceramic ventilated cladding because of its contribution to sustainable development. This is a very efficient and durable material that combines functionality, aesthetic appeal and ease of use. It possesses antibacterial properties, no chemical agents and a hydrophilic surface that keeps the cladding looking bright and spotless, resulting in very low cleaning costs. Light, combined with the catalyst contained into the ceramic’s enamel, attract surrounding pollutants (nitrogen oxides NO and NO2) that are harmful to the environment. The cladding material improves air quality, eliminating pollution surrounding the OIIQ building, to the efficiency level of approximately one hundred trees. These are serious environmental benefits.
 
With respect to OIIQ’s fundamental values, Lemay (in association with Ceragres), contribute to a greener future, which affects the health and quality of life of each and every one of us, just like the nurses of Quebec do in their profession.