Design Competition Finalist: Bibliothèque et espace culturel Ahuntsic-Cartierville / Montréal Nord

The City of Montreal’s desire to create a new architectural model called for a prototypical approach oriented towards invention. Such an approach differs from the search for originality at all costs and seeks to transcend function in order to arouse the emotion and engagement of Montrealers.

The project is sited between two urban grids, at the widest point between Oscar Avenue and J.J. Gagnier Street, and evokes the meeting of two Montreal boroughs in a place that is both steeped in history and full of promise for the future. This double orientation conforms to the site and informs the spatial organization of the project’s specific program: library and cultural space, a place for exchange and engagement.

The visual impact of the suspended volume and the clearance of the forecourt at the front respond to this urban configuration and signal social openness of the space as a “raised horizon“.

A large accordion glass roof unfolds from the entrance and functions as a ribbon whose kinetic movement responds to the activities of the space. The slits and gaps in this design contribute to the ambiguity between inside and outside. They maximise the effect of the depth of the hall and the agora and question the limits of the public space.

Based on a drawing by Dany Laferrière and the desire to affirm its domestic character, the unitary volume is crowned by a folded roof in the form of tightly packed gables recalling the solid figure of its familiar surroundings. The presence and expression of this structural wood veil, taking is form from origami, underlines the uniqueness of the Bibliothèque et espace culturel Ahuntsic-Cartierville / Montréal Nord, and is an open invitation for its public use.

The building and the landscape claim a certain “rusticity” while favouring thoughtful and contemporary details. The aim is to achieve a unified form.

The configuration and dimension of the site guide the architectural approach and call for convergence. Built on the theme of discovery, it enhances the ascending interior open and free roaming spaces and specific routes and pathways. These concepts are directly linked to the theme of discovery and the quest to find a valuable object. Its focal point is the contemplative patio.

Human interaction within the space adds to the interweaving effect. Visual cues associated with the expression of materiality facilitates the sense of place within the building. A design that showcases local art (both professional and amateur) supports the architectural strategy.

The signature image of the architecture of this public space will become a symbol of renewal for Montreal’s cultural and community spaces.