Maisonneuve Library - Winning Proposal

Text extracted from the teams's proposal (originally in French) :

“ The architectural and urban proposal asserts itself in a tripartite installation. The neoclassical building in the center, confirming its presence and dominant character, is flanked by two “pavilions” of open, porous architecture. The ensemble is both inviting and “exposes” its internal uses, linked both to free and technological activities (to the east) and to the essence of what the library remains, as a place for reading, learning and discovery (to the west): Rue des arts et des savoirs.

The overall unity is expressed less by materiality than by the gesture of alignment and marking, in other words, architecture's ability to “hold the public space”. ”

Jury comments:
"The jury appreciates the team's proposal, which enhances the value of the heritage building, both inside and out. The layout of the atriums on either side of the existing building allows the architectural heritage to be opened up and highlighted. The playful aspect of the proposal is in line with the objectives of the vision of a 21st century library. We understand the desire to democratize knowledge.