After many years of developing the performing arts in Mont-Laurier under difficult conditions, Munispec will now be able to invite citizens to a bright and welcoming venue that will form an integrated civic ensemble with the cathedral and the Christ-Roi center in the heart of the municipality.
Each evening of the show, citizens will converge on the public square adjacent to the all-glass entrance hall of the new hall, which will take advantage of the illuminated façade of its neighbor to reinforce the sense of community. The square, shared by both institutions, will become an informal meeting place where citizens, but also all the inhabitants of the region, can meet and exchange a few words before and after the performance.
The exposed roof structure, a two-way mesh of cross-laminated wood beams, will clearly communicate the importance of this natural resource for the development of the region. It will be enhanced by the transparency of the great hall and architectural lighting to provide a presence as strong and dramatic as the Laurentian granite façade that survived the 1982 fire.
Wood will also be used in two main spaces, the large multi-purpose hall with variable capacity and the foyer, a small intimate space similar to a café-bistro that will contain the bar and can be used for animation and cultural mediation activities complementary to the presentation of professional shows. The large hall will meet all the requirements described in the program. We have chosen to give it two additional characteristics to make it a true performance hall rather than a convention hall:
- the proscenium is defined by two large wooden panels placed diagonally on either side of the stage that promote the diffusion of sound to the audience as in traditional theaters. These panels can be folded back against the walls when the room is used for other purposes.
- lateral accesses at mid-stage (median) allow spectators to enter the room without having to walk single file along the telescopic bleachers.
However, all wall surfaces, including the stage and the underside of the technical walkways, will have wood cladding to ensure spatial unity for banquets or other events that do not require a separation from the playing area. Large sliding wood panels will also allow the hall to open to the side halls for convention and trade show activities.
The success of the project will depend largely on the efficiency of the hall's transformation mechanics to make possible a diversified programming with a large number of activities following one another without downtime. Assembly and disassembly time, as well as the number of personnel required, are crucial factors that led us to locate the warehouses under the stage in order to take advantage of the presence of the lifting platform on the floor and to have the possibility of bringing all the equipment and furniture required directly into the hall in a single operation.
By freeing the first floor of these storage spaces, it becomes easier to organize the backstage areas to separate the dressing rooms and the entertainment room from the handling and technical staff areas. This separation is essential to ensure the safety of the equipment and the premises while limiting work-related accidents, since the multiplication of rental activities in the animation room, combined with the numerous touring shows, will bring together many passing users.
We therefore separated the artists' entrance from the staff entrance and took the opportunity to propose a connection with the preserved presbytery, which could be offered to one or more cultural partner organizations in residence.
The proximity of the dressing rooms and the animation room, which is subdivided and has windows overlooking the Lièvre River, will be an asset for developing new partnerships with groups interested in mediation, creation or simply artistic leisure activities, which will contribute to making the Mont-Laurier hall a true regional cultural center that is permanently animated.
The omnipresence of wood will be a distinctive factor of the personality of the place and its structural use will be the main measure of sustainable development proposed. Rather than the facade, it is the two-way mesh of the cross-laminated wood roof structure with a 2.4 meter rhythm that constitutes the device that regulates and unifies the architectural proposal. We have chosen to make a bold green gesture and highlighted as Quebec society reflects on the future of its forest and seeks to develop a responsible use with high added value of this resource offering a smaller environmental footprint than steel and concrete. The proposed structure sequesters more than 60 tons of carbon dioxide in the wood fiber that has been removed from the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by other sources. This is a clear and simple illustration of the possibility of linking aesthetic, environmental and social values through architecture.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
The members of the jury raised the following main points regarding FABG's performance:
- The implementation of the performance hall, aligned with the vestigial wall of the cathedral and the Christ-Roi Center, establishes the connection of these. This is considered to be a very successful takeover of the site, and this alignment allows for good visibility of the new building. However, given the lack of space in the main hall, some concerns are raised about the possibility of encroachment on neighboring properties. The DDO foresees complications if special agreements are required to do so.
- The extension of the Cathedral's parvis towards the public square results in a framed outdoor site facilitating the holding of activities.
- The architectural concept is based on the transparency of the spaces and the use of the curtain wall is perfectly consistent with this concept. However, this huge curtain wall is not reflected in the exterior design between the building and the street.
- It is pointed out that such a generous use of curtain walls in this area will result in significant energy costs.
- The retention of mature trees at the street edge is emphasized.
- The simplicity and elegance of the orthogonal forms and volumes are appreciated.
- The minimalist gesture of the project proposes the signature of the renewal of the center of Mont-Laurier.
- The treatment of the volume at the rear of the site is very disappointing. Especially since the presbytery will keep its current appearance. It seems that there is no longer any way to render this place.
- The possibility of benefiting from the spaces offered by the presbytery is an interesting asset of this proposal.
- In general, the functional qualities of the project are appreciated, but several irritating elements limit the enthusiasm: -the reduction of surface areas for several rooms, including the auditorium; -the multiplication of corridors; -the chicane entrance hall; -the low versatility of the premises; -the congestion caused by the proximity of the exits from the auditorium and the washrooms; -the inefficiency of the airlocks to the main auditorium.
- The animation room is located far from the stage to support the activities that take place there. Performers must cross the public corridor. In addition, this room should reflect the dynamism of the site, but it is invisible from the street. However, it offers an extraordinary view of the river and its banks.
- The administrative spaces have a location that would have been extraordinary for a vibrant public use.
- The possibility of holding a variety of activities makes this public facility interesting for the development of corporate and social tourism. This proposal allows for more than just broadcasting.
- The foyer is set back and therefore the lobby may well be used as a foyer.
- The insertion of sliding panels on each side of the hall is a very clever and appreciated gesture.
- The use of wood is described as straightforward and honest. Wood is judiciously selected in this project for its structural and acoustic qualities. However, the doubt raised regarding the supply of the structural grid for the roof is a real concern.
- The information provided for achieving the basic LEED equivalency is general. However, the simplicity, compactness, and economy of means of this proposal will be an asset in achieving the goals.
- With the exception of the acoustician, the experience of the other professionals on the team has been demonstrated. However, their weak involvement in the performance is perplexing.
(From jury report)
(Unofficial automated translation)
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