Page 89 - Designing Ways 250

salvaged bricks were used to create inside partitions recalling the
outline of the previous building. Integrating the memory of the old
library into the current project was fundamental.

Organisation and distribution of the collections
In a dialogue with the collections’ organisation in thematic poles
desired by the clients, the architects developed an approach that
prioritises individuals and their interactions. It offers visibility,
flexibility and a variety of spaces to read, work, and relax. The
architects first opted for a dense distribution of the collections to free
a maximum of space in the centres and accentuate the plan taking
care to preserve interesting views.

Then, they proposed to place thematic isles in the freed-up spaces
allowing the display of the collections in a library style. Just as one
occupies a place that suits them in a park, these central spaces are
organic and contain many sub-spaces more or less intimate following
each one’s desire. dw

Technical information
• Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Client: City of Montreal
• Built area: 4550 m2
• Construction cost: 17,5 M$ CA
• Sustainable development: LEED Gold certification (target)
• Team: Lead Architects: Stephan Chevalier, Sergio Morales
and François Lemoine. Architects: Alexandre Massé, Julie
Rondeau, Gabriel Lanthier, Céline Leclerc, Christian Aubin, Ève
Beaumont-Cousineau, Catherine St-Marseille, Simon Barrette,
Geneviève Riopel
• Consultants: Bouthillette Parizeau, SDK, Équipe Laurence,
Version Paysage
• Awards: Canadian Architect Award of Merit (2014); Design
Award of Excellence – Institutional Projects of the Canadian
Institute of Steel Construction (2018); Quebec Libraries and
Archives Architecture Award (2019)
• Photo credit: Chevalier Morales

www.chevaliermorales.com

dw • Issue 250 89